In IEEE Region 8 there are currently 59 Sections and 8 Subsections (under supervision of Region 8) plus two other Subsections under the supervision of Sections. In most cases, the boundaries of a Section or Subsection correspond to national boundaries with the possibility of exceptions (see IEEE R8 Operations Manual). There are countries in Region 8 that currently do not have either a Section or a Subsection. This document provides information to organizers of petitions to form a Section or a Subsection in Region 8.
According to the Region 8 Bylaws, the establishment of Subsections and Sections must be approved by the R8 Committee. Therefore, the appropriate justification for the long-term sustainability of the proposed unit must be provided to the R8 Committee in order to get approval. This document lists the conditions to be met and the procedure to be followed to guide applicants through the process.
The formation of a Section or a Subsection needs to be first assessed by Region 8 Section Vitality and Development (SVD) Sub-Committee before submitting a formal petition through the online petition system. The organizers need to contact the SVD chair and inform of their intention to form a Section or a Subsection providing also the required information as described below.
Formation of a Subsection in Region 8
In countries that currently do not have a Section, a Subsection is formed first. It is important to understand that creation of a Subsection is a process requiring a certain level of IEEE activity before a unit can be formed to guarantee its long term viability and vitality. Before starting the process of a Subsection formation the potential organizers should consider forming a technical chapter or/and a student branch to start IEEE activities in the country.
To form a Subsection there must be also a minimum number of voting members. It is considered that a good minimum number of members to form a Subsection is 50 voting members.
Before submitting the petition the organizers need to provide a report with information related to the IEEE activities organized during the past 3 years showing their ability to lead the Subsection.
Because a Subsection needs to be active with at least five meetings per year (administrative meetings included), in order to form a Subsection, a business plan is also requested from the organizers of a prospective Subsection.
The assessment of a petition to form a Subsection therefore includes:
- Geographical Operational Unit acting as supervisor of the prospective Subsection: R8 or Section,
- minimum number of members verification (minimum 50 voting members),
- report on past activities (minimum last 3 years),
- units already existing (such as Chapters, Affinity Groups, and Student Branches),
- business plan for future development and planned activities.
If the R8 Sections Vitality and Development Subcommittee assessment is positive, the organizers of the prospective Subsection will start the preparation of the petition and collect at least the minimum number of qualified signatures (20 voting members) as per R8 Operations Manual. The petition team will then request the endorsement of the Region 8 Director. Once the Region 8 Director has endorsed it the submitted petition will be then presented to R8 Committee (with the agreement of OpCom) to approve its formation. After the petition is approved by the Region 8 Committee it will be submitted to MGAB for approval at its next meeting.
Please note that once a Subsection is approved it needs to report its activity in order to get the corresponding annual rebate. In case the Subsection is under the supervision of Region 8, the Region will forward their rebates to the Subsection.
A Subsection can be elevated to Section once a number of members and IEEE activities ensure sustainability as described below (Formation of a Section).
Formation of a Section in Region 8
A Section can be formed in those countries that currently have an active Subsection. The elevation of a Subsection to Section starts with the analysis of the number and grade of members and level of activities of the Subsection. The organizers need to provide elaborated information about the events in the past recent years and propose a plan for the future development of the Section.
The conditions to form a Section can be found in the IEEE R8 Operations Manual, where the current practice requires to approve only those petitions where the growth potential of the petitioning Subsection is such that membership of at least 250 voting members is a realistic future prospect.
The chair of the Subsection needs to provide a report with information related to the IEEE activities organized during the recent years showing their ability to lead the Section.
Because a Section needs to be active with at least five meetings per year (administrative meetings included), a business plan is also requested from the organizers of a prospective Section.
The assessment of a petition to form a Section therefore includes:
- minimum number of members verification (approaching towards 250 voting members),
- report on past activities (minimum last 3 years),
- report on already existing units (such as Chapters, Affinity Groups, and Student Branches),
- business plan of future development and planned activities.
If the R8 Sections Vitality and Development Subcommittee assessment is positive, the organizers of the prospective Section will start the preparation of the petition and collect at least the minimum number of qualified signatures required (50 voting members) as per R8 Operations Manual. The petition team will then request the endorsement of the Region 8 Director. Once the Region 8 Director has endorsed the submitted petition, it will be then presented to R8 Committee (with the agreement of OpCom) to approve its elevation. After the petition is approved by the Region 8 Committee it will be submitted to IEEE MGA Board for approval at its next meeting.
v1 – 3.8.2020