The IEEE might be heading in the same direction. While there are some attempts to simplify the bylaws and give them greater permanence, there are also attempts that might further weaken the institutional stability. There are proponents who would liberalize IEEE membership requirements to the point that virtually anyone who can pay the dues would be admitted to membership. We may still call ourselves IEEE, but it may stand for The Institute for Everyone, Everywhere, and Every time. We cannot assure the survival of IEEE, but we can assure that for as long as it survives it will have the basic values that the general membership wants and respects.
Crisis is the natural state of most organizations.
Running a political, economic, or member organization means dealing with crises on a regular basis. Burdened by such crises, IEEE officials often act as if they don't care about what the majority of the membership wants, and they obtain their goals through ad-hoc deals, one issue at a time. Also, the recent ad-hoc mandate on concentration banking that affected primarily US sections. New rules are instituted only to be withdrawn after major objections. Major changes can be shaped by the whims of individuals seeking instant self-recognition and gratification, while being oblivious of the fundamental raison d' tre of IEEE, which is to serve the members both technically and professionally.