The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has over 89,000 members worldwide. Of these, approximately 17,000 are based outside the UK and this number is growing all the time. The Institution aims to have at least 20,000 members based outside the UK by 2012.
Representation for every member
The Institution has recently restructured its approach to its international membership support network. The world (excluding the UK) has been divided into four sectors called regional Fora. The aim of this is to give local members and those who volunteer more regular contact with the Institution and more opportunities to share ideas.
Fora
The Fora are responsible for the whole of the IMechE membership outside the UK and are divided as follows:
- Americas: USA, Canada, South America, Caribbean
- Asia and Oceania: Australia, and Asia including India and Pakistan
- Europe: Eastern and Western
- Middle East and Africa: including all North African Countries
Branches
Each Forum is made up of a number of different volunteer groupings operating across the area and the largest of these are called ‘Branches’. Branches are formed in areas where there is a large cluster of members. There are currently eight Branches based across the four Fora that support the Institution’s membership in:
The Branches all have business plans and are made up of a committee of dedicated volunteers whose aims are to engage current members and to raise the profile of the engineering profession and the Institution locally. This is achieved through the provision of networking, events, news, links with like-minded organisations and opportunities for the local engineering community.
Groups
In a similar format to the Branches are the Institution’s ‘Groups’. These are based in areas where there are slightly smaller clusters of members but operate in the same format as the Branches. The Institution currently has groups in:
Joint Groups
In addition to Branches and Groups, the Institution supports a number of ‘Joint Groups’ in conjunction with other UK Engineering Institutions. The objectives of these Joint Groups are once again to provide support and opportunities for members of all the Institutions living locally and to raise the profile of the engineering profession in the area. We currently have Joint Groups with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Institution of Engineering Technology (IET), the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
Joint Groups are currently located in:
Corresponding Members
Finally, we have those areas where there are small groups of members located. In these areas we have Corresponding Members who are stand alone representatives for the Institution in that area. We currently have Corresponding Members in approximately 50 countries across the world.
Get involved!
In this area you will find news from your Forum and information about what is planned in the future. To find out more about specific activities in your local area or to find out how you can get involved with promoting the Institution and the profession locally, you can find your local representative through the Near You website or alternatively contact your Forum Chairman:
