Stepping up

There are no barriers when it comes to volunteering with STEP, explains Stephanie North

Volunteering is one of the ways in which all STEP members can maximise the benefit of their membership, contribute their skills, gain experience and build meaningful professional relationships across STEP’s local, regional and global networks.

Many members will be aware of the volunteer positions that are subject to election each year, including membership of chapter, branch and regional committees, as well as positions on STEP’s Council and the Board of Directors.

Members might not be so familiar with volunteer roles on committees of the Board. The Board delegates some of its functions to seven committees, each of which runs a rolling programme of recruitment. Committee member vacancies are not subject to election, rather they are advertised throughout the year across STEP channels. Interested members are invited to submit a statement of suitability to the chair of the committee, which will be reviewed before a decision is made.

Serving as a committee member is a fantastic opportunity to step into a leadership position. These groups are central to delivering STEP’s mission and vision, as committee members provide expert guidance and make recommendations. They report directly to the worldwide Board and lead the organisation’s development in different areas: from our public policy position, educational and membership offering and governance, to the standards and ethics firewall that acts as the guardian of STEP’s reputation.

Where do I start?

It can be overwhelming to know where to start when considering your volunteering options. To help members, we recently launched a volunteering hub on the STEP website that shows the current volunteer opportunities, along with information about each role and how to apply. Members are encouraged to take a look at what is on offer by visiting www.step.org/get-involved

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