Article 1: The Senior Member system has been incorporated in the IEICE membership system for the purposes outlined in Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Regulations of the IEICE. Academic societies are supported by the initiative and active involvement of their members, and make significant contributions to society as they evolve and grow. The activities of IEICE members support pioneering advances in learning and technology, the training of next-generation scientists and engineers through education and technological leadership, and critical contributions to IEICE operations and projects. The purpose of the Senior Member system is to recognize members for their professional excellence and continuous activities,Thereby making distinguished contributions to the IEICE by rewarding them with the title of Senior Member, while also encouraging ongoing efforts and initiatives that sustain and strengthen the IEICE in ways that will contribute to society in the future.

However, the title of the Senior Member, as stipulated in the regulations of this Institute, shall only be given to Members, and shall not be given to Honorary Members, Affiliate Members, or Student Members.

Article 2: In principle, candidates for the title of Senior Member grade shall have been in professional practice in IEICE-designated fields for at least 10 years, also a member of IEICE a total of at least 5 years or a member who has been recognized as making a distinguished achievement or contribution to IEICE.

Article 3: Senior Member Recommendation Committees set up in each Society will select candidates for the title of Senior Member title from among their members, and the Senior Member Review Committee under the Board of Directors will make final recommendations regarding the candidates based on a generic Senior Member Candidate Recommendation Form that is described elsewhere. The composition of the Senior Member Recommendation Committee and candidate selection and recommendation procedures shall be according to the provisions stipulated by each Society.

Article 4: Applications are filled out and submitted by the applicants themselves using the application form that is described elsewhere. The application forms (which specify the name of the society to which the applicant belongs) are submitted to the IEICE along with recommendations from 2 nominators using the recommendation form that is described elsewhere. The recommendations should be provided by Honorary Members, Fellows, or Senior Members, but until rewarding of the title of Senior Member in 2013, recommendations can also be provided by a Member who has belonged to the IEICE for a total of at least 10 years.

Article 5: Applications for Senior Member may be submitted from October 1 to January 31 each year.

Article 6: In reviewing the application forms submitted by the Senior Member Recommendation Committees and recommendation forms provided by references, candidates for Senior Member shall be evaluated based on their

(1) Contributions as originators in engineering or science, promoters of IEICE activities, leaders in technical development, as educators, or any combination of these activities.
(2) Contributions to the IEICE.
(3) Significant performance in other institutes or academic societies.

Article 7 The Senior Member Review Committee was set up under the Board of Directors to conduct the final screening of candidates and make any numeric adjustments that may be required. After considering the candidates recommended by the societies and making any adjustments that are necessary, the Senior Member Review Committee reports the results to the Board of Directors for approval. The Senior Member Review Committee consists of the members of the Recommendation Committee. Specifically, the Committee consists of a Chair (a regional Vice President who assumes the post in odd-numbered years), a Secretary (a Senior Director of General Affairs), and the following additional members in principle:

(1) Society representatives, President-Elect of Society, one each: total 4 persons.
(2) Board of Directors, 4: Director of Strategic Planning, Successor Director of General Affairs, Senior Director of Finance, Senior Director of Conferences, Student Activities, and Education.
(3) The Chair appoints the other members of the committee.
Rules and provisions regarding the Senior Member Review Committee are detailed elsewhere.

Article 8: Members elevated to Senior Member are presented with commendations from the President. After approval by the Board of Directors, the Senior Member commendations are promptly sent by the Headquarters Office to newly elevated Senior Members by mail.

Article 9: Regarding the number of Senior Members, it shall exceed no more than 10% of the number of members in each society. If a Senior Member is elevated to Fellow, his/her title is changed from Senior Member to Fellow. Members cannot hold more than 1 title at the same time. If a Senior Member is elevated to Fellow, he/she is no longer counted in the 10% quota for that society.

(1) Amendment of these regulations shall be by receiving the verification of the Board of Directors.These revised provisions shall go into effect from May 27, 2008.
(2) Changes to these provisions shall apply from July 23, 2012.