Representing an evolution of the SPIE Poland chapter, the Photonics Society of Poland, based in Warsaw, has been launched to serve the needs of the Polish optics and photonics communities. Chapter members voted to transform their organization into the society in October 2007. The registration process was finalized with government approval in March 2008. The society has begun integrating activities with the Committee on Electronics and Telecommunication of the Polish Academy of Sciences, also in Warsaw, as well as with an optoelectronics organization. The group held an inaugural symposium in May 2008 at Warsaw University of Technology.