The convergence of various technologies and the changing psyche of an IT professional has forced the organisation to go beyond the IT realm and include telecommunications specialists, for instance.
Today, with a membership of over 16,000, the ACS claims to be the recognised association for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals.
Sure, but in whose eyes?
In a recent IT Manager Australia survey, 80 percent of respondents said the ACS was irrelevant. Their main gripe: present demands from IT professionals are a far cry from their counterparts 37 years ago but the organisation just doesn't get it.
"I feel I have never received any benefit from the ACS. The only incentive it provided had nothing to do with IT, but were concessions on my home loan. This has since been cancelled," tech manager Brenton Cunning said in an e-mail interview.
"I chose not to renew my subscription a year ago after being a member for three years," Cunning said.
On the job front, most survey participants felt that being an ACS member was futile.
"The organisation has no consideration nor plays any importance in decisions when hiring contractors or [IT] staff," said IT Manager member Robert Milne.
A technology professional for 20 years, Milne said he's never had problems gaining employment despite his non-affiliation with the Society.
Indeed, when determining an IT job vacancy, a random poll revealed it wasn't crucial for a candidate to be an ACS member but membership offered some periphery benefits.
An IBM Australia spokesperson said the company's recruitment process valued "skills and work experience first and foremost".
"While we don't require applicants to be members of any particular industry or professional group, such membership obviously contributes to a person's professional credentials," the spokesperson said. IBM employs over 10,000 workers in Australia.
Jill Shapiro, human resource manager at technology services company Dimension Data, was more blunt. "Being a member of the ACS is not important when determining the 'right fit' for a position at our company," Shapiro said.
The remaining 20 percent of survey respondents felt the ACS still had some purpose to fulfil.
"The ACS is more relevant now than ever. In the past, it could be accused of being a toothless tiger content with sitting in the background but in recent times, it has managed to obtain professional recognition for the people who work in IT," wrote IT Manager reader Jeff Kemp.
"It has started making a stand and trying to bring common sense into discussions about the state of the IT industry. It highlights the impact government actions, or lack thereof, are having on the industry and is making solid attempts to assist its members in a time of economic downturn in the tech sector," Kemp said.
Another survey participant also pointed to the organisation's lobbying efforts but said its biggest downfall was advertising.
"The ACS needs to advertise its place as a professional organisation for the ICT industry and elevate its members as professionals in the industry," said John Ballment, who hopes to pursue the Certified Member of the ACS (CMACS) qualification in future.
Despite calls for the organisation to buck up or face a leadership change, Kemp stressed that although it isn't perfect, the ACS has improved and should be supported.
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The ACS provides an excellent avenue for putting something back into the ICT industry. Even simply participating in events brings communities together and forms stronger bonds...
If somebody isn't interested in helping grow the industry that they are working in - then they should get out of it.