A penny saved.

When a new member joins IIE or an existing member renews, a portion of the member's dues is refunded to his or her local geographic chapter in the form of a rebate ($15 for senior chapters, $4 for student chapters). If the member belongs to a chapter that has disbanded, IIE deposits the rebate

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The fund was established in 2002 to assist chapters in member recruitment and retention. To obtain a disbursement from the fund, a chapter must submit an application containing details about how the money will be spent and how the expenditure will improve membership recruitment and retention. The chapter is also expected to set a membership goal and describe how that goal would be measured.

The use of the fund varies widely and is limited only by a chapter's creativity and the general goal of promoting membership. The money from this fund is considered to be a grant to the chapter, so no repayment is required. Since its inception, three chapters have been awarded money from the Chapter Development Fund: Greater Kansas City, Dayton, and the University of Massachusetts. Their efforts are documented below.

The Chapter Development Fund is open to all chapters, with priority given to red and yellow chapters (chapters in the greatest danger of dormancy or disbandment). Application deadlines are Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1, and Nov. 1. For detailed proposal guidelines and an application, go to the Chapter Management Center (www.iienet.org/chapters) and select Chapter Development Fund. Members can also contact Anita Ranhotra, Chapter Development Fund committee chair, at aranho2@hallmark.com.

Dayton

The Dayton (Ohio) chapter received money from the fund to invest in a professional display about IIE and the chapter. The Dayton chapter actively participates in events hosted by the Affiliate Societies Council, a group that coordinates 50 professional societies in the area. The fund enabled the chapter to purchase a professional tabletop display and table cover to create an eye-catching display. The project has been successful in engaging existing members in the chapter's activities. Though they have yet to realize their goal of a 4 percent membership increase, chapter volunteers hope to do so as they continue to use the disbursement for future events.

Chapter member Sara Deem advised that chapters looking to procure CDF funds would do well to consider how best those funds might be used: "Be creative in looking at what may be appealing to your potential members or what members may be involved with already. We were already doing all of the activities. We wanted to display a professional image for the chapter and the organization."

Greater Kansas City

The Greater Kansas City (Mo.) chapter used its funds to advertise and hold a Meet and Eat event at a local bar and grill. They invited more than 600 prospective members to come and learn more about IIE and the local chapter. As added incentive, the chapter supplied appetizers, drink coupons, door prizes, games of billiards, and new member discounts. As a result, the chapter saw a 21 percent increase in membership as well as more active involvement from existing members throughout the program year.

University of Massachusetts

The University of Massachusetts chapter used CDF funds to address a variety of needs, one of which was to educate other engineering students about the IE profession.

"Many of our IE students hear from third- or fourth-year students in other majors that wish they had known more about IE early on in their undergraduate careers," said chapter member Amanda Roche. "To assist in expanding the visibility of IE on the UMass campus, we sponsored events that we felt would give an overview of IE while garnering interest from students of diverse academic backgrounds."

The money was used to purchase an IIE banner for use at campus events, to provide transportation to a plant tour that showcased IE skills, and to purchase refreshments for a recruitment meeting. Chapter leaders report that all three expenditures have generated a great deal of interest in IIE and the UMass chapter.