Local Groups are a new IEEE concept. They are a low overhead, agile, and efficient way for a Section (or a Region, if there is no Section in the area) to serve the interests of members and potential members in the area. IEEE Local Groups can be organized around any area of interest to IEEE, especially including interdisciplinary areas, but cannot operate in competition with any other IEEE unit. They are organized with the agreement of a Section and if no longer viable may be dissolved by the Section. People who are not IEEE members may belong to an IEEE Local Group.
What does it take to start a Local Group?
An IEEE Local Group may be started by a minimum of two IEEE members who will act as the initial organizers and leaders of the group, both of whom are members of the Section involved. At least one of these leaders must be a voting member (Graduate Student Member or higher grade). All officers must be IEEE members. IEEE Local Groups must include a minimum of two IEEE members and must hold at least two meetings a year. If the group becomes inactive, the Section may dissolve it.
Benefits of an IEEE Local Group?
As explained above, there is minimal overhead involved in starting and running an IEEE Local Group, just enough for IEEE to track their creation and activity. The process begins with a petition to form the Group made via vTools.
Some examples of Local Groups include:
- Climate Change
- STEM
- Impact of EVs
- Blockchain
- Industry Engagement
- Technology History
- Entrepreneurship
- Cyber Security
- AI — ChatGPT
IEEE Local Groups can meet and organize events, lectures, seminars, workshops .and other activities, both in-person and virtually, provided they are local. Some benefits of starting an IEEE Local Group:
- Meeting and interacting with people with the same interest
- Discovering similar groups around the world
- Engaging IEEE members who are not society members
- Getting recognition for leadership skills
- Broadening impact by including IEEE members and non-members
- Publicizing and reporting meetings, events, workshops, lectures and seminars
To learn more about IEEE Local Groups contact us at localgroups@ieee.org.
Click Here to watch the IEEEtv’s IEEE Local Group video.
