Standards Engineering Society

**Standards Engineering Society**

Type	Non-profit
Founded	1947
Headquarters	Portsmouth, USA
Website	www.ses-standards.org

The Standards Engineering Society is the largest organization for standards users and professionals.

It was established in 1947 as a not-for-profit, professional membership society dedicated to furthering the knowledge and use of standards and standardization. SES is the only organization in North America dedicated exclusively to this effort. SES provides a neutral networking forum where standards users and developers can come together to address mutual issues, opportunities, and interests in ways that work to the benefit of everyone involved with, or affected by, standards.

SES worldwide membership includes standards developers, users, managers, and information specialists from industry, government, standards developing organizations, trade associations, and academia. SES represents the United States and Canada in the International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN) and is accredited as a standards developing organization by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Vision and mission

Vision: To be the acknowledged premier organization for standards information, education, and professional certification and recognition. Mission: To promote the awareness, use, and value of standards and standardization and provide opportunities for professional development through quality programs and services.

Membership

SES membership provides several benefits including:

access to current, reliable information on major issues concerning standards, standardization, and conformity assessment;
networking opportunities at its annual conference and other meetings;
contact information for other SES members who may be able to provide assistance on a variety of standards issues;
professional certification in the areas of standards development, standards management, standards application, and standards information;
continuing education courses that help members improve their standardization skills and become more valuable employees;
recognition for outstanding contributions in the standards and standardization area; and
the opportunity to make a difference by contributing to various SES activities and programs.

Board of directors

SES is governed by a Board of Directors made up of Society officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. Other Board members are Council Directors in the areas of Education, Marketing, Membership, Publications, and Technical. Day-to-day operations are handled by the Executive Director. SES has several committees assigned to handle specific activities such as the annual conference, awards, certification, membership, publications and the web site.

SES Annual Conference

The SES annual conference is usually held two days in August at various locations within the US and Canada. The Conference Committee works with the SES Board to develop the conference program, which covers a variety of topics related to standards and standardization. The annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for standards professionals to network with their peers and to learn about issues of interest to them. Participants from around the world exchange ideas, discuss problems, and offer solutions.

During the week of the annual conference, two courses are held on standardization issues. One course, “A Guide to Standards,” is based on an SES publication. SES also works with other organizations to present an additional course which has in the past covered such topics as standardization principles and practices, strategies for success in standards, leadership training, and benefiting from the national and international standards development process

Certification Programs

SES operates a certification program to demonstrate professional competence in the standards field. Certification can be obtained in the following areas: standards information, standards management, standards application, and standards development. The certification process includes the completion of an application to collect information on education and experience and a test based on several standards-related publications. There are two certification categories – Associate Standards Professional Certification (AStd.) and Standards Professional Certification (CStd.). After completing the program, members are entitled to use one of these SES designations

Journal - Standards Engineering

Standards Engineering, the Society’s bimonthly journal, provides up-to-date articles on standards-related issues authored by experts in the standards arena. The SES journal is recognized as a key source for information for and by standards professionals. Members of the Society receive the journal as a member benefit; subscriptions are available to non-members. Other SES publications include: 1) SES 1:2002, Recommended Practice for Designation and Organization of Standards; 2) A Guide to Standards (2003); and 3) SES 2:2006, Model Procedure for the Development of Standards. These publications are available from SES

Award Programs

Leo B. Moore Medal: for highest achievement, extraordinary contribution, and distinguished service in the field of standardization, and its advancement through original research and writing, creative application and development of service. Any individual is eligible.
SES/ASTM Robert J. Painter Memorial Award: for special service in the field of standardization through a company program, managerial support, or educational research. Any individual is eligible.
SES/CSA Lorne K. Wagner Memorial Award: to an SES member who has made an outstanding contribution to SES. Only SES individuals who are current members of SES are eligible for nomination.
Honorary Life Member: for unusual distinction and outstanding accomplishment in the field of standardization. Only individuals who are not current members or who have not been members for the previous five years are eligible for nomination.
Fellow: for professional distinction and accomplishments in the field of standardization. Only individuals who have been members of SES for the past 10 years are eligible for nomination.

Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for review and recommendation, then provided to the SES Board for final approval

World Standards Day

SES participates on the US World Standards Day Planning Committee, made up of representatives from US standards developing organizations, industry, and government, to plan the US celebration of World Standards Day. This event usually takes place in October in Washington, D.C. During this celebration, SES presents the winners of the World Standards Day Paper Competition. The competition is co-sponsored with the Planning Committee and the judging is done by a panel selected by SES. The first, second, and third place awards are given to the author or authors for a paper prepared on the theme of World Standards Day

The SES National Capital Area Section provides informative programs and networking opportunities for members in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Meetings offer presentations on standards-related programs or activities that educate as well as entertain. SES supports the establishment of other sections within the US and Canada

International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN)

SES is a founding member of the International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN) and is a participant on the IFAN Board. IFAN Update, a column in the SES journal, keeps members informed of on-going IFAN activities, how they can get involved, and resource information. SES periodically invites IFAN to participate in a joint SES-IFAN conference. Additional information about IFAN may be obtained at the web site www.ifan.org

Strategy and Direction

SES’ strategic plan guides the Society’s activities and programs and is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect new directions and activities. The plan includes the development of additional standards-related publications and courses, increasing the number of certified SES members, and effective promotion of SES activities. SES continually strives to provide its members with programs and services that will help them succeed in their professions and increase their knowledge of standards and standardization