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IEEE membership reached a
record high of 352,259 in 1999. This
represents a 5.2 percent increase over 1998 and it surpassed the IEEE
Membership Development goal of 350,000 members. The student membership also surpassed the record set in 1998
reaching an all time high of 53,270.
However not all
the membership news are so encouraging.
In 1963 when the IEEE was formed, 22 percent of all members
above student grade held the grade of Senior Member.
Since then, the number of IEEE members has more than doubled
but the percentage of Senior Members declined to a low of 7 percent of
higher grades. Now senior
membership is coming back up but it is still only at a level of 9
percent of higher grade members.
Are there fewer IEEE members qualified today to hold the Senior
Member grade? I don’t
think so. We must clear
up two of the most common misunderstanding, it is not a discount
program or an insurmountable achievement.
Foremost, Senior Member grade, is a form of professional
recognition. At this time
each newly elected Senior Member receives an engraved plaque made of
wood and bronze for display and a $25 gift certificate that can be
applied toward future payments of IEEE dues, services or products.
A new Senior Member can also request that a letter of
commendation signed by the IEEE President be sent to his employer
recognizing the significance of being elected to IEEE Senior Member
level. The Section and
Society of each newly elected Senior Member will also qualify for a
$10 rebate. Some of these incentives are new and they were developed in
response of the “What is in it for me?” Response from many members
when asked by the IEEE Membership Development Committee why they did
not apply for elevation to the higher grade.
This program is
expensive but the response was most encouraging in 1999.
So much that the Membership Development Committee will continue
it this year and maybe expand its benefits.
Senior Member grade is a title of prestige recognized by
companies and individuals as a symbol of professional accomplishment.
If you are a professional with 10 years or more in the
profession and 5 years of significance performance don’t you want to
hold the IEEE’s title recognizing professional technical excellence?
Being a Senior Member can also be a plus when interviewing,
seeking a promotion or requesting conference travel.
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