Iole Moccagatta Statement of interest for the position of IEEE SPS VP Membership -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The pervasive nature of signal processing in today technologies is such that the IEEE Signal Processing society is uniquely positioned to serve engineers, academics, industry professionals and students around the world. Having served as Chair of the Signal Processing Society Chapter of the Santa Clara Valley, the largest IEEE Section in the world located in the heart of Silicon Valley, has helped me to understand the key role that the Society¡¯s Chapters play in engaging, recruiting, and serving members of both industries and academia. Using what I have learned, my goals are to add value to being a member of IEEE and SPS, ultimately to increase our membership and equally if not more important to retain our present members. To do that I will put special emphasis on: * Industries and Industrial Relations to stop the trend of people from industry decreasing in IEEE and in SPS in North America, and increasing the percentage of industry IEEE and SPS members in other parts of the world. * Students and Student Services, to show the advantages of retaining IEEE and SPS membership as students transition to professional life. * Under-represented groups such as women in SPS. For that I will work with Women in Signal Processing to help them showcase the volunteering, networking, and leadership opportunities that are accessible when becoming an IEEE and SPS member. * Officers and volunteers of the Society¡¯s Chapters: they are the Society's front-end with IEEE and SPS members, and with those who may become new members. Because of that, I will work with the Society¡¯s Chapters to provide them what they need to highlight the many services they provide to IEEE and SPS members and to recruit new members. The time and effort I put into volunteering for IEEE and SPS prove I am passionate about the Society. Leading the Santa Clara Valley SPS Chapter has teach me a lot and has enabled to grow my leadership skills. With your help and support, I am confident I will be able to nurture and grow the membership of this Society.