IEEE Bylaws

I-401. Technical Organization of Members

1. Divisions.   There shall be ten Divisions.  A Division is typically composed of one or more Societies, and may contain one or more Technical Councils.  The Technical Activities Board shall determine the specific composition of each Division.  The composition of the Divisions shall be specified in the TAB Operations Manual.  If a Society warrants representation by more than one Division, the voting members of that Society shall be voting members of all those Divisions.
   
   
2. Societies.   A Society provides a forum and community for the exchange of technical information among members in the respective discipline and industries of electrical and electronics engineering and related arts and sciences.  Societies may represent either an identifiable segment of the electrical and electronics industries, or a discipline having applicability in different industries and functions.  A Society's scope or mission shall be approved by TAB.
   
   
3. Society Establishment and Operation.   Societies shall be established within the scope and objectives of the IEEE groups of members interested in specific technical fields or related subjects.  The Technical Activities Board shall establish and be responsible for the operations of Societies.  The procedures for organizing a new Society and operating an existing Society shall be contained in the TAB Operations Manual.
   
   
4. Society Membership.   All Societies shall consist exclusively of IEEE members and such Affiliates as may be authorized by the Board of Directors. 
   
   
5. Delegation of Authority.   The Technical Activities Board can delegate certain operational and administrative matters to Societies that achieve criteria for autonomous operations.  Responsibilities and criteria shall be specified in the TAB Operations Manual.  Matters of fundamental policy or governance shall not be delegated.
   
   
6. Technical Councils.   Technical Councils may be established by the Technical Activities Board for the purpose of providing a continuing mechanism for two or more IEEE Societies, called Member Societies, to work together in a multi-disciplinary technical area of mutual interest, primarily through conferences and publications.  The procedures for organizing a new Technical Council and operating an existing Technical Council shall be contained in the TAB Operations Manual.
   
   
7. Technical Council Membership.   A Technical Council has Member Societies but no individual members.  In all respects except membership, a Technical Council operates generally like a Society.  The representatives on the Technical Councils are to be designated by the Member Societies and are to appoint their own President and other officers.  Other policies and operational details shall be specified by each Technical Council.