Members of IEEE automatically become members of their local IEEE Section, allowing them to share technical, professional, and personal interests with others in the worldwide member community of IEEE.

A Chapter is the technical subunit of one or more IEEE Sections.  Society Chapters are your local link to the valuable resources available from IEEE and its 38 technical Societies.  Chapter activities may include guest speakers, workshops, and seminars, as well as social functions.  Chapters provide Society members with valuable opportunities to network at a local level – enabling both personal and professional growth.

An Affinity Group is the non-technical subunit of one or more IEEE Sections.  The following types of Affinity Groups are active within IEEE: 

• Consultants Network
• Young Professionals (formerly known as Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD))
• Life Members
• Women in Engineering

Wherever you live, there’s a good chance there is an IEEE meeting near you.

(http://www.ieee.org/societies_communities/geo_activities/index.html)