Counselors & Advisors Committee (C&A)
Supporting Student Branch Counselors and Chapter Advisors across Latin America and the Caribbean — resources, training, recognition, and community.
About the Committee
The Counselors & Advisors Committee (C&A) is a newly established Ad-Hoc Committee within the IEEE Region 9 Student Activities structure. It was created to strengthen the role of Student Branch Counselors and Chapter Advisors across Latin America and the Caribbean.
🎯 Mission
To strengthen Counselors and Advisors in Region 9, empowering them to lead sustainable, innovative, and high-impact Student Branches and Chapters.
🔭 Vision
To build a strong community that inspires the next generation of engineers and leaders in Latin America, positioning Region 9 as the global IEEE leader in counselor and advisor development.
This committee works in close coordination with the Region 9 Regional Director and is part of the Region 9 Student Activities Committee.
Committee contact: s.hidalgo@ieee.org | r9.ieee.org
Roles: Counselor & Chapter Advisor
IEEE Student Branches are supported by two distinct volunteer roles. Understanding the difference helps counselors and advisors operate effectively and claim the resources available to them.
🎓 Student Branch Counselor
- Faculty member and active IEEE member
- Appointed by Section Chair for a 2-year term
- Guides the Branch Executive Committee
- Official liaison between Branch, Section, Region & IEEE HQ
- Promotes the welfare of IEEE at the institution
- Oversees Annual Activity Report / Annual Plan (due March 15, per MGA 2026)
- Reports officers in vTools after each change
- Helps students explore continued IEEE involvement after graduation, in coordination with the Young Professionals Committee
🔧 Student Branch Chapter Advisor
- Member of the sponsoring IEEE Society (e.g. ComSoc, PES, RAS)
- Selected by the petitioning students together with the Counselor, at the moment the Chapter is established
- Guides a specific technical Chapter within the Branch
- Coordinates with the Society for funding & resources
- Reports to both the Branch and the Society
- Manages Chapter officer reporting in vTools
- Promotes technical activities & Society programs
- Minimum 6 IEEE student members required per Chapter
You can hold both roles. Always remember to consult the official documents and the following resources:
First Steps
Just starting out? Here are the essential first steps to get your Student Branch or Chapter running effectively from day one.
Confirm your appointment in vTools
Make sure your name is reported as Counselor or Advisor in vTools Officer Reporting. Without this, you cannot access Branch data or submit reports.
Read the official manuals
Start with the MORE IEEE R9 Manual (Spanish) and the Guide for Student Branch Officers to understand the full scope of your role.
Meet your Branch Executive Committee
Schedule an early meeting with Branch officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) to review the year’s goals and set a shared calendar of activities.
Submit your Annual Plan
Use vTools Student Branch Reporting to submit the Annual Plan by March 15. This is required to receive rebates.
Connect with your Section SSAC
Your Section Student Activities Chair (SSAC) is your closest point of support within IEEE. Reach out early to introduce yourself and ask about available resources and upcoming events.
Contact the CC&A Committee
We are here to help. — we offer mentoring, training resources in Spanish and Portuguese, and a community of experienced counselors across Latin America.
Key Resources
These are the most important tools, guides, and programs available to counselors and advisors. All links are official IEEE sources.
⚙️ vTools — Required Reporting
📖 Operations & Official Guides
💰 Funding & Rebates
🚀 Programs for Student Branches
🛠️ Member Tools & Analytics
🌎 Region 9 — SAC Resources
Key Dates & Deadlines
Mark these dates in your calendar. Missing them can mean losing rebates or Branch standing. All deadlines are confirmed per the MGA Operations Manual 2026.
- ✓Annual Plan submitted (sbr.vtools.ieee.org, by March 15)
- ✓Officer reporting up to date (officers.vtools.ieee.org, by March 15)
- ✓Events reported in vTools Events (events.vtools.ieee.org)
- ✓Annual financial report submitted to parent unit by February 28
Source: IEEE MGA Operations Manual 2026 (February 2026) & IEEE R9 Manual of Operations 2025 (March 2025)
Awards & Recognition
These awards recognize the outstanding work of counselors, advisors, and student branches. Nominate yourself or a colleague — starting February 1 each year — each award has its own deadline. Check the MGA Awards portal for specific dates.