Harry Lubcke, director of television for the Don Lee Broadcasting System, was contacted because of their pioneering efforts in transmitting television programs, dating back to 1931. Several days later the preliminary groundwork for establishment of this organization was done by these three men. A group of people, consisting of most of the charter members listed above, were invited to the first meeting which was held July 8, 1940, one week after the inception of this Society. At this meeting Fred Wolcott was appointed temporary chairman and Irwin Stanton temporary secretary. The name of the new organization was selected from many submitted and it was agreed that it would be "SOCIETY OF TELEVISION ENGINEERS." Dinner meetings were to be held monthly.

It was planned that the organization be restricted in membership which would be by invitation only.

At a meeting held October 14, 1940, a constitution was adopted unanimously by the charter members. In this constitution the aims and purposes of the Society of Television Engineers were defined as: "To advance the theory and practice and to enlarge the use of television, and to promote harmony and cooperation within the television industry."

At the meeting of November 11, 1940, the temporary officers were elected as permanent officers under the constitution of the Society, Fred Wolcott becoming President and Irwin Stanton becoming Secretary-Treasurer. During the preceding meetings considerable work had been done regarding the possibility of control of diathermy interference on television channels. A letter containing recommended Standards of Good Engineering Practice for high frequency electro-medical equipment as compiled and approved by the Society was sent to the Federal Communications Commission for their consideration.

During the following months much work was done enlisting support of the industry on the proposed NTSC Standards. A letter was sent to the FCC urging their acceptance of the NTSC Standards and letters were sent to organizations in the television industry requesting their support of the NTSC Standards. This work continued up to the acceptance of those Standards by the FCC, which Standards became effective April 30, 1941.

During these formative stages of the Television Broadcasters Association Phillip CaIdwell and Harry Lubcke participated actively in committee meetings at which various proposals put forth by the membership were crystallized. It is noteworthy that despite the many pressing wartime activities of the individuals comprising STE membership, the group found it possible to continue holding monthly meetings throughout the war years in the interests of television.