The MAL organization is an organizational unit of the Society of Women Engineers that provides MALs with a framework for communications, support, and representation. 

The MAL organization is led by an executive committee comprised of a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.  The MAL representatives are voting members of the MAL council and the MAL officers are nonvoting members of the MAL council.  Additional leadership positions within the MAL organization can be found under the MAL Leadership page.

For more information on proposed MAL leadership structure changes check out our MAL Governance Restructure tab.

How do MALs support SWE?
Participation varies by individual, just as happens in sections. Most members simply support SWE's objectives through their membership.

Some MALs provide guidance and assistance to nearby SWE collegiate sections by serving as SWE counselors or faculty advisors. Other MALs undertake career guidance or outreach programs in their communities. For example, they may: speak at local schools about careers in engineering; work with youth groups, such as Girl Scouts, on math and science-related activities; or participate in National Engineers Week activities. (To find out more about National Engineers Week, visit www.eweek.org.)

Other MALs take on more responsibility in SWE, either within the MAL organization, within their region, or at the Society level. In addition to leadership opportunities in the MAL organization, they may chair or serve on committees at the Society level, be elected as region officers, or be elected to the Society’s senate, board of directors, or board of trustees.

During 1995-1996, the MALs conducted a successful campaign to endow a new national scholarship, the BK Krenzer Memorial Reentry Scholarship, for the Society. This annual scholarship for reentry or non-traditional students is a fitting tribute to a woman who "re-entered" the national leadership of SWE after completing a very successful engineering career. BK Krenzer was installed as SWE's 24th president in 1986. She believed that it was never too late to make a difference, and this scholarship helps other women to carry on her principles and tradition. 

In some areas, MALs get together on an informal basis for mutual support and local activities. New sections often develop in these areas. Since July 1, 2009, 10 professional sections have been chartered entirely or primarily from the MAL organization: Lowcountry (Charleston SC), South Central Michigan, Cedar Valley (Waterloo/Cedar Falls IA), Greater Binghamton, Southwest Central Indiana, Savannah Coastal Empire, Dubuque Area, Hawaiian Islands, Nashville, and Oklahoma City.

What if I want to start a section?
Great! SWE's objectives can best be accomplished through grassroots efforts of many local sections, which also facilitate networking among members. A number of college campuses and metropolitan areas in the United States and Puerto Rico still do not have SWE sections and are awaiting individuals with drive and enthusiasm to get them started. 

A professional section may be formed either by subdividing a section which covers more than one metropolitan area or from an area assigned to the MAL organization. A metropolitan area with at least 250,000 people is generally necessary for a section to be viable. Organizing a professional section generally takes a year, during which time the proposed section must hold regular meetings and activities, adopt bylaws, and elect officers. 

For complete details, contact membership@swe.org for the new professional section formation packet or the new collegiate section formation packet.