MEMBERSHIP IN PACN

Membership in the IEEE Phoenix Area Consultants Network (PACN) is open to all professionals with an interest in independent consulting whether members of the IEEE or not. The fields of expertise of our members cover a wide range of disciplines. These include many areas of what is normally considered high or cutting-edge technology as well as the more traditional areas of engineering such as power distribution, manufacturing and warehousing. We have members whose areas of interest are not really technical such as in management systems and procedures and even accounting. A number of our members are not currently active consultants but are considering a move in that direction in the future or are really retired but want to keep a hand in the profession. We welcome anyone with a genuine interest in consulting whether that person is an active consultant or not.

We have dinner meetings on the second Thursday of each month at a Phoenix area restaurant. We have an informal discussion and networking period before we eat and then follow dinner with a program related to our profession. The locations and programs for our up coming meetings are on our page Calendar of Events. 

We have three membership categories.

• Regular Member who is also a member of IEEE

• Regular Member who is not a member of IEEE

• Associate Member

Since we are sanctioned by the IEEE, we have to distinguish between those of our members who are also IEEE members and those who are not. But you do not have to belong to IEEE to belong to PACN. We have the Associate Member category for those who are not in engineering or a related technical field but just enjoy our company and like to come to our meetings.

Being a consultant is essentially running a small business. By belonging to PACN you associate with other people who are operating similar businesses, and you can learn a lot from them that will help you make your business more successful. Our members are always ready to help one another. The discussion and networking session at the beginning of our weekly meetings is really productive.  The objective of the more formal program or presentation at our meetings is to help our members to be even more successful consultants. 

PACN sponsors a roughly biennial three day Workshop for Consultants. The Workshop draws speakers from all over the country, and the purpose is to makes us all better consultants.  While this event is held primarily for PACN members, we find that attendees come from everywhere, or at least nearly everywhere.

The best way to decide if you would like to join PACN is to attend one of our monthly meetings. You can also print out a copy of the PACN Membership Application, fill it out and mail it to the president of the Executive Board.  His address is given on the Executive Board page.