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Members-at-Large (MALs) are those members not affiliated with a Section of the Society of Women Engineers.

How many MALs are there?

More than 500 professional members are MALs. There are more MALs than members in SWE's largest Section. MALs span the globe, as they are located in almost every state as well as in more than 20 foreign countries and U.S. military locations overseas.

How do MALs support SWE?

Participation varies by individual, just as happens in Sections. Most members simply support SWE's objectives through their membership.

Some MALs provide guidance and assistance to nearby SWE Student Sections by serving as SWE Counselors or Faculty Advisors. Other MALs undertake career guidance programs in their communities. They may:

In some areas, MALs get together on an informal basis for mutual support and local activities. New Sections often develop in these areas. Since July 1, 2000, nine Sections have been chartered entirely or primarily from the MALs: East Central Iowa, Sierra Nevada, Tampa Bay Area, Tulsa - Northeast Oklahoma, New York State Capital District, Quad Cities/Muscatine, San Buenaventura, Western Michigan, and Southwest Michigan.  A number of metropolitan areas in the United States still do not have SWE Sections and are awaiting individuals with drive and enthusiasm to get them started.

Other MALs take on more responsibility in SWE, either within the MAL organization, within their Region, or at the Society level. They may chair or serve on committees, or be elected to the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees.

During 1995-1996, the MALs conducted a successful campaign to endow a new national scholarship, the BK Krenzer Memorial Reentry Scholarship, for the Society. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to a woman who "reentered" the national leadership of SWE after completing a very successful engineering career. BK Krenzer was installed as SWE's 24th President in 1986. She believed that it was never too late to make a difference, and this scholarship will help other women to carry on her principles and tradition. Even as an active member of the South Ohio and Kansas City Sections, she avidly supported the MALs and published an informative newsletter to keep MALs and SWE leaders connected and involved.

Since 1999, the MALs received two SWE Program grants to develop and expand the Internet Activities Center (IAC) http://www.societyofwomenengineers.org/iac . The IAC features web-based interactive engineering lessons and hands-on student activities targeted at young women in grades 5 - 12.  In addition, an on-line guide book advises professionals how to share engineering with young students and how to develop "kid-safe" activities from readily available, inexpensive materials.  The IAC won two SWE awards at the 2001 National Conference: the Corning Incentive Grant for the best new tool or program for career guidance and the first place ExxonMobil Foundation Media Award for outstanding career guidance media.

How are the MALs organized?

The MAL organization provides a framework for communications, support and representation.

All MALs receive an informative newsletter, MAL News. This 12-page publication received the Society's Best Large Newsletter Award at both the 2001 and 2002 National Conferences. While it is designed and distributed as a printed publication, a version of our most recent issue is available online.

Each Region with at least 10 Members-at-Large has a MAL Representative on the Council of Representatives for every 100 voting MALs or fraction thereof in the Region. All other MALs (those in any Regions with fewer than 10 MALs and the foreign/overseas MALs) also have a MAL Representative on the Council. MAL Representatives are charged with facilitating communications among their constituents and transacting business for the MALs. They also represent the interests of the MALs on regional councils. MAL Representatives elect MAL Officers for overall administration and coordination. MAL Representatives and Officers for 2004 - 2005 are:

How can I become a MAL?

Unless you make a special request for a different assignment, you are automatically assigned to the MALs if your preferred mailing address is in an area that's not part of a Section. In addition, members within the boundaries of inactive Sections are assigned to the MALs for administrative purposes, with the exception that the Southeast Florida Section provides administration for the inactive Miami Section. If you live in an area covered by an existing Section, you are encouraged to support it. However, some members living within the boundaries of Sections prefer to be MALs, usually for one of these reasons:

1.     Some Sections cover vast geographical areas. In many cases, members in outlying parts of such Sections may find that the "local" activities are so far away that they cannot participate. Instead of remaining in the Section, they become MALs.

2.     Some members travel extensively or relocate frequently. Rather than changing Sections, they keep in touch with SWE as MALs,

3.     Some members may not be interested in their Section's programs and activities, yet they support SWE's overall objectives. It's easier for them to "sit on the sidelines" as a MAL.

Whatever your reason may be, the choice is yours. If you are already a member of SWE, all you have to do is send a message to hq@swe.org  and request that your affiliation be changed to the MALs.

If you aren't already a member of SWE but would like to join as a Member-at-Large, simply note that on your application.

What if I want to start a Section?

Great! SWE's objectives can best be accomplished through grassroots efforts of many local Sections. Sections also facilitate networking among members. A Section may be formed either by subdividing a Section which covers more than one metropolitan area or from the Members-at-Large. Although it's not mandatory, a metropolitan area with at least 250,000 people is generally necessary for a Section to be viable. At least 10 voting members must sign a petition to charter a Section. For complete details, contact the Membership Director at Headquarters for a Section Formation Packet.

If you live in an area presently assigned to one of SWE's six inactive Sections (Fort Wayne, Miami, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Southeastern Idaho, Southern Nevada, and Southwest Alabama), the Board of Directors may reinstate the Section if at least eight voting members sign a petition and submit it with a list of proposed officers, including a Section Representative. The Section Formation Packet is also an excellent resource for those who wish to have an inactive Section reinstated.

MALs are currently organizing sections in Lafayette LA, Pensacola FL, and Vicksburg MS.

Who are some noteworthy MALs?

Of 169 members selected as Fellows of the Society, 28 are MALs. That's an impressive 17 percent! In addition, the first two men selected as Fellows were nominated by and are affiliated with the MALs.

Five  Past Presidents of the Society are presently MALs:

• 1955-56   Lois Graham
• 1961-63   Patricia L. Brown
• 1978-79   Paula L. Loring Simon
• 1981-82   Helen E. Grenga
• 1985-86   Susan K. Whatley

Two MALs currently serve on the Society's Board of Trustees:

• Marjorie Inden
• Martha E. Sloan

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Updated August 21, 2005