After much arguing and many people like me pushing them to do something, anything to make themselves more relevant, ISA has taken the first baby steps in that direction. They still have to figure out what real value added member benefits are, instead of the list they keep blathering on about, but they've at least moved off top dead center.
Congratulations to all the ISA volunteers who participated in rolling this particular rock uphill. It appears it wasn't a Sysyphean task after all.
Here's the text of the announcement:
ISA Opens Two New Membership Grades to Automation Professionals
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (14 February 2012) - The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced today that it has added two new membership grades, Automation Community Member and Automation Affiliate Member.
"We think these new member grades are a great way for automation professionals to take advantage of the many technical and professional-development benefits that ISA offers. As our new members grow in their careers, we hope they will come to appreciate the contribution that the Society can make to their lives and their businesses, and that they might one day become volunteers and contributors to ISA," said ISA President, Robert E. Lindeman.
Automation Community Member: ISA established this grade for professionals in the automation community who would like to be associated with the Society and learn more about it, while enjoying some popular benefits. Individuals may join as Automation Community Members at no charge, by visiting www.isa.org/join. Automation Community Member benefits include:
- Free access to a library of more than 40 online, pre-recorded web seminars
- Free subscription to InTech magazine (digital) and Automation Weekly e-newsletter
- Membership in ISA technical divisions for $10 per division
- Participation in ISA's mentoring program
- Access to the ISA LISTSERV for email discussions
Automation Affiliate Member: This membership grade is offered to individual members of organizations that are members of the Automation Federation, of which ISA is the founding organization. Membership is also offered to employees of companies that are members of organizations that are members of the Automation Federation.
These individuals can join ISA as Automation Affiliate Members for $50 US per year, by visiting www.isa.org/join. This membership grade provides a well-rounded selection of benefits and gives these individuals the opportunity to learn and grow in ISA. A sample of benefits includes:
- Free online viewing of ISA standards, a 10% discount on the cost of ISA standards, and a $50 credit towards the purchase of an ISA standard
- Free access to a library of more than 40 online, pre-recorded web seminars
- Free subscription to InTech magazine (digital) and Automation Weekly e-newsletter
- Membership in ISA technical divisions for $10 per division
- A 10% discount on ISA books
- Participation in ISA's mentoring program
- Access to the ISA LISTSERV email discussion lists
Current members of the Automation Federation include:
- ISA
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- The National Council For Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM)
- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation
- The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA)
- The Control Systems Integrators Association (CSIA)
- The American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC)
- The National Career Development Association (NCDA)
- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
- The Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA)
- The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC)
The complete list can be found at www.automationfederation.org/members.
