Engineering Organizations

Today after my physics lab, I dropped by my school's SAE club to check out what they do. It's pretty awesome! I know nothing about cars, except for that it needs an engine and fuel to run (quite pathetic for what I want to go into, I know) but I like looking at cars and learning more about them. The SAE club is in the process of building a car for SAE Baja in June and it's so amazing how much work goes into it. The only deterrent is that they team is all guys, which yes, I know, I should come to expect from being in an engineering major. I knew going into this that I'd definitely be in the minority in classes, labs, and external projects, but I didn't realize how much of a factor it could become in determining the 'full experience'. The guy telling me about SAE was saying how he'd really like a girl to join to 'diversify' the team, and he did say that the only girl they had before left and never came back after the guys started throwing wrenches at each other. C'mon, wrenches?
I really would like to join but right now work and school is sucking up way too much time. Perhaps I'll join next year? I'm trying to look into other engineering organizations for next year when I may have more time to dedicate. So far I'm looking at Society of Women Engineers (SWE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Out of those three, it looks like only SAE has 'hands on' projects where I can fully appreciate learning and applying engineering principles. If anyone knows of any other hands on student competitions please do let this blog know!