Overview
Have questions about what SIGHT is, becoming a SIGHT member, or how to establish and run a SIGHT Group? See the list of frequently asked questions below, or write to the SIGHT Committee at sight@ieee.org.
FAQ’s
The IEEE Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT) program is a global network of engineers and technologists that partner with their local communities to use technology to achieve socio-economic and environmental impact.
SIGHT is a program that is funded by and reports to IEEE’s Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB). The SIGHT Committee Chair is an appointed member of HTB. HTB, in turn, reports directly to the IEEE Board of Directors.
SIGHT Membership is free and open to everyone interested in the application of technology to local challenges to achieve socio-economic, environmental, and humanitarian impact. Joining the global network allows you to meet and interact with other like-minded engineers and technologists interested in using their expertise to advance technology for social impact.
Individual members receive the monthly IEEE Humanitarian Technologies (HT) newsletter, as well as SIGHT specific announcements, with opportunities and activities in the HT space at IEEE and beyond. Individual members who take the next step of joining their local SIGHT Group find a ready-made team that can then apply for project funding from Tech4Good or EPICS in IEEE, join in the Empower a Billion Lives competition, organize a humanitarian technology-related event, and other opportunities.
This will depend on your level of involvement, interest, and role. SIGHT Committee members volunteer anywhere from 4 – 12 hours a month to hold meetings, review SIGHT Group petitions, develop and launch activities and initiatives and more.
SIGHT Group members’ time commitments can vary significantly depending on the level and type of the Group’s activity. This could be a few hours a month to build capacity by taking courses or attending a training event, or several days a month or more to lead the implementation of a Tech4Good or EPICS in IEEE project.
The SIGHT program is managed by a committee of IEEE volunteers that facilitate its growth and provide strategic direction. The SIGHT Committee operates as a subcommittee of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB) Programs Committee to manage and coordinate aspects of the program above the local community level.
SIGHT Groups consist of at least six IEEE members who come together to learn about sustainable development, build relationships within their local communities, and implement projects that leverage technology to tackle key problems within the community. Non-IEEE members are welcome and encouraged to join their local SIGHT Group.
No, you do not need a project idea to start a SIGHT group. However, a SIGHT group is expected to initiate a project within two years of its date of founding to remain active. A SIGHT group which has not initiated a project for two years will be considered a non-active SIGHT group.
Six IEEE members are required in the initial formation of a SIGHT Group; however IEEE membership is not a requirement to belong to a SIGHT Group. In fact, Groups are encouraged to seek out members from other disciplines and sectors. All SIGHT Group participants are strongly encouraged to register as individual SIGHT members, which is free of cost.
Please see the web page for the SIGHT group nearest you to access contact information, which can be found via the SIGHT group map. If no contact information exists, please contact sight@ieee.org.
SIGHT works as a partner with local communities. Please see the SIGHT Group Resources for more information on how to build new and existing partnerships with local communities.
Feel free to reach out to a SIGHT Group directly, using their group web page or social media, which can be found via the SIGHT group map. If no contact information is available, please email sight@ieee.org.
By becoming a SIGHT individual member, you will get the latest information on SIGHT program news and opportunities. You can also reference the SIGHT group map, which is searchable by group type, location, and project focus areas.
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IEEE SIGHT Groups in Action
