Special Technical Communities

B usinesses must evolve to meet the needs of their customers and an everchanging, competitive marketplace. Likewise, professional societ ies must adapt to meet the needs of their members in a dynamic environment. The IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS) has served its membership well over the past 65 years by providing high-quality publications, conferences, standards, technical committees, educational products, and support for local chapters. But these well-defi ned services have led to a stovepiped structure characterized by rigid control and boundaries in which formal processes and procedures have proliferated and crystallized to the point where it’s diffi cult to respond quickly to the rapidly changing needs of both members and the competitive market. Clearly, a more fl exible structure is needed for the IEEE-CS to meet its members’ needs. Special Technical Communities (STCs) represent a new way for members to develop communities focusing on selected technical areas, integrating with contemporary technology in a way that breaks down silos and fosters organic growth. These communities will be able to scale up, scale down, or even shut down when they no longer serve the community’s needs. As a result of this new structure, we foresee more synergy across publications, conferences, and standards activities—leading to increased intellectual property creation and enhanced fi nancial sustainability for the IEEE-CS.