Let’s Celebrate Volunteers: Members Groups
At the time of writing, we have 179 volunteers who currently sit on at least one of our 11 Member Network (Geographic Section) and 5 Special Interest Group (SIG) Committees. Despite the challenges the came from COVID-19, they were able to lead some incredibly successful and insightful events, as well as some fantastic initiatives in 2021. Contributions to CIEEM’s work included producing several digital newsletters for members, attendance at online and in-person university careers fairs, continuing to lead engaging webinar, fieldtrips and workshops! Additionally, several Member Networks and SIGs engaged with external organisations, such as the Landscape Institute, BSI Group, and the British Ecological Society, to share best practice and to influence decision making. Committee volunteers also attended bi-annual Convenor’s meetings, seeking to grow and improve their groups and to improve the support they offer for CIEEM members.
CIEEM’s Volunteer Engagement Officer, Drew Lyness, says: “In numbers, Member Networks at SIGS in 2021 led 46 events (up by 18 on the previous year), engaged with over 2750 delegates through events, ran multiple careers sessions for students with over 100 attendees, and engaged in additional aspects of the CIEEM policy and professional development teams work too! I am incredibly thankful for the hard work of our Member Network and SIG volunteers to make this happen, but additionally, I want our members group volunteers to know that their work allows CIEEM to have a more peronalised connection with our members and keep their interests / passions in regions and topics burning brightly! The entire institute is grateful for your contributions.”
Why do CIEEM members volunteer for the CIEEM Members Groups?
This is what they said…
Ashleigh Kitchiner RMarSci MIMarEST – Scotland Section Member
“”Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” is a quote from the infamous author and activist, Helen Keller. Volunteering is all about joining together and sharing our skills, knowledge, experience, or just company. I thoroughly enjoy volunteering and do so in many roles such as a STEM Ambassador and Girl Guide Unit Volunteer. A role that I am particularly proud of is sitting on the Scottish Committee for CIEEM, being part of this Committee means we share skills, knowledge, experience, and have a laugh along the way! I know that I personally, get a great sense of satisfaction and find volunteering very rewarding. I also learn so much from it so I encourage as many folk to get involved as possible!”
Dr Katie Medcalf CEnv – UKOT SIG Convenor
“I volunteer with the UK Overseas Territories SIG because I care about the people and the globally significant biodiversity of these wonderful islands. I enjoy my role on the OT-SIG because raising awareness of the OT’s and building connections between people helps find opportunities to take positive action on the ground.”
Alison Glaisher (retired CIEEM member) – West Midlands Section Member
“As a retired member of CIEEM my role as a committee member in the West Midlands allows me to continue put my ecological and land-use planning expertise to good use by contributing to the planning and holding of events for members. I benefit too by being able to keep in touch with colleagues and keeping up with new policies and practices.”
We will soon be recruiting for more volunteers to join our CIEEM Members Groups!
Please keep an eye on the Volunteer Opportunities Page in the MyCIEEM area on our website for more details, or contact us at membernetworks@cieem.net.