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INTERNAL INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1 - ANALYZE (never print)
• primarykeywords - IEEE membership, technology for seniors, age tech, mentoring programme, IEEE Foundation, life member affinity groups
• audience - engineers and technologists, senior citizens, IEEE members, individuals interested in technology and aging
• tone - informative, optimistic, forward-looking
• datelinelocation - MEDFORD, Mass.
• evergreenbackgroundtopics - aging, technology, mentorship, philanthropy
• originalbrandterms - IEEE, IEEE Foundation, IEEE Life Members Committee, IEEE Spectrum
STEP 2 - REWRITE & OPTIMISE
MEDFORD, Mass. – The IEEE Life Members Committee is experiencing a resurgence,focusing on engaging its seasoned members and leveraging their expertise.
The committee supports members who are at least 65 years old with a combined age and membership years totaling 100 or more. these life members benefit from waived dues and reduced conference fees.
After facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including decreased participation and donations, the committee has revitalized its efforts. Howard Wolfman, past chair and a life senior member, noted, “As we rebounded from COVID, the Life Members Committee took a deep breath and said, ‘LetS move forward. What are our issues?'”
Over the past five years, the committee has launched initiatives such as an annual conference and a mentoring program, reactivating dormant affinity groups and forming new ones. They have also focused on increasing donations to the Life Members Fund,managed by the IEEE Foundation.
The number of life members has grown considerably, from 25,000 in 2019 to nearly 39,000 last year, with projections indicating further growth. The organization aims to utilize the knowledge of its experienced engineers.
Tech Innovations for an Aging World
The Life Members Conference held in Austin, texas, in April 2024, centered on how emerging technologies can impact senior citizens.
This year’s conference,”Learning never Stops,” is scheduled for June 11-13 at Tufts University in Medford,Mass.Topics will include health technology innovations, artificial intelligence, and robotics, with discussions on systems impacting the energy grid and telecommunications.
The World Health Organization projects that by 2030, one in six people globally will be 60 or older.
A conference session will address technologies that enhance the quality of life for older adults, covering independence and overall well-being.The age tech field includes health and wellness monitoring, smart appliances, and home-care robots.The IEEE Standards Association’s Technology Standards for the Aging activity plans to discuss technical standards to ensure product interoperability, safety, and security. Rick Robinson, vice president and general manager of AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative, is the keynote speaker, and Dean Kamen is expected to deliver the closing keynote address.
Registration for the conference is open to members and non-members alike.
Mentoring and Affinity Group Growth
The committee introduced a group mentoring program last year, connecting life members with high school students, college students, and young professionals. Wolfman explained that members share their experiences, lessons learned, and pitfalls to avoid.Sessions have been held in Ottawa; San Marcos, Texas; and Tokyo. wolfman noted,”One thing I learned in talking to the participants is that mentoring works both ways.Life members get mentored as well. We learn about what’s going on in today’s world, so it’s a two-way street.” He is considering expanding the program to other IEEE groups, including Women in Engineering and Young Professionals.
There are over 190 life member affinity groups in 66 countries, with the Africa Council forming one of the newest. Several affinity groups, including the Dallas group, have been reactivated.
These groups organize various activities, such as the IEEE Benelux group‘s visit to the European space Agency and Cochlear‘s Manufacturing Plant.The Denver and pikes Peak groups visited the Skaggs Research Center in Boulder. Affinity groups also host educational sessions on cybersecurity, electrical safety, spintronics, and related topics.
Philanthropic Support
Life members donated over $1.7 million to IEEE’s philanthropic programs last year, representing 65 percent of individual donations to the IEEE Foundation accounts.
The IEEE Life Members Fund supports over 15 programs, including awards, conferences, educational outreach, fellowships, and humanitarian projects.
The fund supports EPICS in IEEE projects, involving over 12,800 students and 1,600 volunteers last year. It also supports IEEE MOVE, which provides communities affected by natural disasters with power and communications capabilities.
MOVE India conducted disaster-awareness sessions, STEM workshops, and volunteer training, donating solar lanterns and mobile chargers to survivors of the Wayanad landslides.
Wolfman emphasized, “Life members have the opportunity to share the wisdom they’ve gained through their membership as well as careers in industry or academia. We receive the satisfaction of knowing that we are giving back to the next generation of innovators, IEEE in general, and society.”
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