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The Many Faces of IEEE -----------

Adelaide, Australia

W. Cleon Anderson, P.E.

2005 IEEE PresidentApril, 2004

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A Question In a recent issue of The Institute, the 2004

IEEE President asked the question: “Whether the IEEE is a global organization or a

U.S. organization with members from around the world?”

He said that this has been a long running debate among many members of IEEE

I wonder why this question needs to be framed as an either/or proposition because the IEEE is not a single issue nor a single value organization

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What then is IEEE? Lets look at some of its many faces:

Is it the world’s premier technical publisher? Yes Are its publications a source for instruction as well

as an inspiration for research projects worldwide? Yes.

Does it help students master engineering principles? Yes. Both globally and locally? Yes.

Is it the repository for technical standards that have international significance? Yes.

Does it sponsor conferences world-wide? Yes. Does it provide valuable educational materials to

help engineers and technologists globally? Yes.

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What then is IEEE? (continued) Does it support pre-college education which will

encourage technical competence? Yes. Does it seek out those that excel and celebrate their

achievements with appropriate awards? Yes. Does it make its distinguished members available as

mentors to the profession? Yes. Does it provide its members with access to

sponsors, counselors, and advocates? Yes. Does it support its members in their local affairs,

local institutions, and local businesses? Yes. Does it provide a network of people with common

interests to share ideas, methods, and problem solutions? Yes. Locally? Yes. Nationally? Yes. Worldwide and globally? Yes.

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The IEEE Defined Oftentimes our vision becomes clouded by our

own current level of IEEE involvement So we are left much in the same position as the

philosopher as he explained when asked to define time:

"What, then, is time?  If no one asks me, I know; If I wish to explain to him who asks, I know not." 

---  Saint Augustine, circa 400 A.D.

But, you can always reference the IEEE Vision statement when asked for a definition of IEEE:

To advance global prosperity by: Fostering technological innovation, Enabling members' careers & Promoting community world-wide

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What IEEE Can Do For You We tend to define IEEE according to our own

involvement at the moment My old professor told me: “If you want to be

successful with a career in electrical engineering, you must be a member IEEE.”

The bad news is not everyone can become a member because it is a learned society

The good news is that with my signature you can join the student branch here as a student member which will allow you to eventually be an IEEE member and enjoy all the benefits and prestige of membership

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Reasons for Joining vs. Staying

66%

59%

39%

30%

31%

30%

32%

29%

20%

19%

26%

13%

Remain technically current

Obtain IEEE publications

Join IEEE Societies

Enhance my career opportunities

Enhance stature within the profession

Network with others in the profession

A professor suggested it

Show my support for the profession

For continuing education

Obtain a reduced registration fee

Participate in local IEEE activities

Access to discounts on services

Obtain an IEEE e-mail alias

61%

53%

43%

40%

34%

31%

29%

27%

21%

17%

17%

16%

3%

Reasons Members Originally Join the IEEE

Reasons Members Maintain their IEEE Membership

N/A

2003

Source: 2004 Membership Segmentation Survey

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Career Progression The importance and personal

value of the various IEEE definitions changes as a career progresses

What was at first a source of technical material to remain current became an opportunity for success by affiliation with important people, an opportunity to hire and mentor, to sponsor and to be sponsored

And finally, to simply enjoy an association with the shakers and movers of our profession

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So When I’m Asked: A boy once asked a wise man: “Is the bird I

hold behind my back alive or dead?” If the wise man said “alive” he would crush the bird and

show it as dead, but: If the wise man said “dead” he would simply let the bird fly

away and laugh. However, the wise man would have none of such

foolishness and simply answered the boy: “As you will my son, as you will.”

So when I’m asked: “Whether the IEEE is a global organization or a U.S.

organization with members from around the world?” I think that the best and wise answer is likewise:

“As you will”

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In IEEE, Local Needs Can Have Global Significance

There is no inconsistency in recognizing The IEEE has many faces The value of these faces change not only from

member to member, but over time for each member Hence, I see no inconsistency because

We can “think globally while acting locally.” We need not, and should not, force our own

transient definition of IEEE value on the world’s largest scientific, educational, and professional organization

We don’t need, nor should you want, to redefine the IEEE whenever our own career needs a change

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Global? Or Local but Worldwide? It Need Not Be an Either/Or

As the poet wrote:One ship drives East and another drives West

With the self-same winds that blow.‘Tis the set of the sails and not the gales

Which tells us the way to go.Ella Wheeler Wilcox

SoLike the winds of the sea are the faces of the IEEE,

As you voyage for your career to fill.You can take each face when it fits your need

And shape it as you will