IEEE Policies

5.4   Categories of Involvement

IEEE’s involvement with outside organizations may be technical and non-technical and can be at the international, national or local level. 

1. Non-technical Involvement.
   
   
   1. The designated IEEE organizational unit (hereunder referred to as the designated Board) shall:
      
      
      • Appoint the IEEE delegate(s), for one-year terms, unless specified otherwise.
        
        
      • Coordinate the interests of other IEEE organizational units and obtain any necessary internal reviews and approvals regarding IEEE’s interests.
        
        
      • Report on actions by the outside organization that impinge on IEEE interests.
        
        
      • Budget for the annual dues, or other support, required by the outside organization. 
        
        
      • Review annually, the activities of the outside organization and make a judgment on whether to continue IEEE’s involvement.  If the judgment is to terminate or modify the IEEE involvement, any other interested IEEE organizational units shall be advised and a recommendation shall be submitted to the IEEE Board of Directors.
        
        
      • Maintain an archival record of appointments and reports pertaining to the involvement, through the Secretary of the designated Board.
        
        
   2. The designated Board may delegate the task of implementing the involvement. 
      
      
2. Technical Involvement.
   
   
   1. The designated IEEE organizational unit, (hereunder referred to as the designated Board) shall:
      
      
      • Appoint IEEE delegates. Several IEEE organizational units (e.g., Societies, Committees) may wish to have technical representation and in such cases each Society shall appoint IEEE delegates.
        
        
      • Coordinate all technically involved Societies.
        
        
      • Resolve conflicts in technical inputs from various Societies.
        
        
      • Budget for the annual dues, or other support, required by the outside organization.
        
        
      • Review, annually, their participation and make a judgment whether to continue IEEE’s involvement. If more than one Society is represented, each Society shall conduct the review, and promptly notify the other participating Societies and designated Board of any decision to terminate or modify their involvement.
        
        
   2. Technical Representatives. Technical representatives shall be responsible for ascertaining the positions or views of the respective appointing Societies.  The designated Board may name one of the representatives to head the delegation and act as spokesperson on administrative matters. 
      
      
   3. Presenting Technical Views. Technical inputs from various Societies may be separate and independent of each other, however, if conflicts arise, they shall be resolved by the designated Board and one view presented as IEEE’s opinion.
      
      
3. National and International. The IEEE will be represented through the appropriate boards, committees, panels, or other organizational units as designated by the IEEE Board of Directors.
   
   
4. Local Involvement.  IEEE involvement at the local level will usually be through a Region, Council, Section, Chapter, Section Committees, Student Branch or Affinity Group. The local unit or organization involvement shall follow applicable IEEE policies as well as any additional local policies, rules and procedures. Reviews and approvals shall be obtained at the next organizational level of responsibility (i.e., the Region, or the Member and Geographic Activities Board). The local unit shall be responsible for appointing any delegates or representatives and for insuring that they are adequately instructed.
   
   If two or more IEEE Sections are involved in the same outside activity, as in a metropolitan area, one Section or Council shall be designated to be responsible for administration and coordination by the next organizational level of responsibility.
   
   
5. Involvement With Organizations Other Than 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations.  The Board of Directors may approve involvement with organizations not of the same 501(c)(3) tax status as the IEEE when such involvement is in the best interest of IEEE. Involvement with such organizations shall normally be by contract signed by the IEEE Executive Director. Exceptions shall be specifically approved by the Board of Directors.