Professional conduct

2.1

Every member is required so to order his conduct as to uphold the dignity of the profession of electrical engineering and to act, in whatever capacity he may be engaged towards his clients and employers, in a strictly fiduciary manner and towards others with whom his work is connected and to his fellow members, in a manner consistent with the established traditions of the Institute.

The membership

2.2.1

The membership of the Institute shall consist of Honorary Fellows, Fellows, Senior Members, Members, Companions, Associates and Students

2.2.2

The election or transfer of any candidate to any grade of membership within the Institute shall be effected only if in the opinion of Council such election or transfer is in the interests of the Institute.

Voting rights

2.3.1

Honorary Fellows, Fellows, Senior Members and Members and Members may nominate and vote in the ballot for members of Council, and vote at Ordinary and Annual General Meetings.

2.3.2

Honorary Fellows, Fellows and Senior Members may vote in Special General Meetings or e-mails and/or postal ballots conducted in lieu thereof and the Special e-mail and/or Postal Ballot for amendment of the Constitution.

2.3.3

All eligible voters may vote by e-mail or by post.

Student

2.4.1

A candidate for election as a Student shall be registered as a student for an approved course in electrical engineering at a recognised tertiary educational institution.

2.4.2

Unless he applies for, and is granted by Council, either transfer to a higher grade of membership or extension of time as a Student before the end of a period of 6 years from the date when he was first registered as a student for an approved course in electrical engineering at a recognised tertiary educational institution, he shall at the end of that period be transferred to the grade of Associate and advised accordingly.

Associate

2.5

This grade of membership is designed for technical and non-technical applicants, who do not qualify for election to the grade of Member, but who would benefit through membership and participation in the activities of the Institute, and for those who are progressing through continuing education and experience in electrical engineering, towards the qualifications for Member.

Companion

2.6

Election to the status of Companion is by invitation of Council to any person who has rendered important services to electrical engineering in commerce, finance, law or science.

Member

2.7

The grade of Member is limited to candidates who have demonstrated sufficient competence in electrical engineering. For election or transfer to the grade of Member the candidate shall be in possession of one of the following qualifications.

2.7.1

a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from an institution accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) or a qualification deemed equivalent by Council, or

2.7.2

academic qualifications in electrical engineering to the level of at least three years of successful study in electrical engineering at an approved South African university, or other qualification in electrical engineering acceptable to Council in lieu thereof, and experience in electrical engineering at a level and of a duration acceptable to Council, or

2.7.3

practice for a period sufficient to demonstrate competence and standing in electrical engineering. The onus rests with the applicant to demonstrate that the work which has been undertaken is of a professional character acceptable to Council. Unless Council recognises the existence of special circumstances, persons under the age of forty (40) years will not be elected under this clause, or

2.7.4

academic qualifications in science or engineering other than electrical engineering, that are acceptable to Council and equivalent in level to that required under 2.7.1 or 2.7.2. In addition, candidates so qualified must be, at the time of application and have been prior to application involved in electrical engineering to an extent acceptable to Council.

Senior Member

2.8.1

For election or transfer to the grade of Senior Member evidence must be provided of the candidates achievements, status and professional maturity, and

2.8.2

the candidate shall be an engineer, scientist, educationalist or technical executive, in the field of electrical engineering, and

2.8.3

the candidate shall have been active in electrical engineering for at least ten years after the level of qualification for the grade of Member had been attained, and shall have demonstrated significant performance over a period of at least five of those years.

Fellow

2.9.1

The grade of Fellow recognises unusual distinction in the profession. Only Senior Members of at least five years standing may apply or be nominated for election to Fellow. Council may waive this requirement under exceptional circumstances, provided the candidate complies with clauses 2.8.2 and 2.8.3

2.9.2

For election to the grade of Fellow it must be shown that:

a)       the candidate has had at least five years of superior responsibility and leadership in electrical engineering, and

b)       the candidate has made an important contribution to electrical engineering.

Honorary Fellow

2.10.1

Election to the status of Honorary Fellow shall be by invitation of Council.

2.10.2

An Honorary Fellow shall, at the time of his election be:

a)   a person intimately connected with electrical engineering whom the Institute especially desires to honour for exceptionally meritorious service to the profession, or

b)   a person who is distinguished by his accomplishments in science or engineering whom the Institute especially desires to honour, or

c)   any person whom the Institute wishes to honour.

2.10.3

Not more than one Honorary Fellow as described under 2.10.2 (a) and (b) shall be elected in any year.

2.10.4

Only once in each period of three (3) successive years as from 1 January 1987 may Council elect a person as an Honorary Fellow in accordance with 2.10.2 (c). The number of Honorary Fellows so elected shall not at any time exceed a total of three (3).

2.10.5

Honorary Fellows shall be elected by Council as provided for in the relevant By-law and shall enjoy all the privileges and rights of Senior Members and Fellows.

Notification to applicants

2.11

A candidate for election to membership of the Institute or for transfer to another grade of membership shall be duly notified in writing by the Secretary of the Institute of the decision of Council regarding his application.

Certificates of membership

2.12

Council shall provide every member with a certificate showing the grade to which he has been elected or transferred. Such certificate shall remain the property of the Institute and shall be returned to the Institute on request of Council.

Resignation of membership

2.13

A member may resign from the Institute by sending his/her resignation in writing to the Secretary of the Institute for submission to Council. Any moneys due by him/her shall be paid forthwith and any certificate or insignia of membership issued to him/her by the Institute shall be returned on acknowledgement of his resignation.

Exclusion frommembership

2.14

A member whose annual subscription is not paid by the date stipulated in the relevant By-law shall cease to be in good standing and shall no longer be entitled to exercise the rights and privileges of membership. If his/her  subscription is still not paid by the further period stated in the relevant By-law he/she may be excluded from membership.

Expulsion from membership

2.15

Council shall have power to take such action as it may consider necessary in the case of any member whose continued membership would, in its opinion, be contrary to the interests of the Institute provided any such action shall be agreed upon by two-thirds of the members present and voting at the Council meeting at which such decision is taken. Notice of intention to consider the matter at a particular Council meeting shall be given to all members of Council.

Forfeiture of rights

2.16

Cessation of membership of the Institute shall entail forfeiture of all right, title and interest in the funds, property and assets of the Institute.

Re-admission to membership

2.17

Council may re-admit to membership in the appropriate grade under such conditions as Council may determine, any person whose membership has terminated from any cause provided that Council is satisfied that his readmission would be in the interests of the Institute. Council may decide to refuse admission in any particular case without assigning a reason.

Letters of designation

2.18

Only a member of the Institute shall be entitled to use the authorised letters, as set out in the By-laws, designating his/her grade of membership in the Institute.