Stepping up

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

We value all forms of diversity

There are a range of factors to weigh up when considering putting yourself forward. It is a common misconception that committee members require experience at branch level (or higher). This is not the case and we want to make sure that STEP benefits from the full range of our members’ skills, experiences and personal and professional backgrounds, whether you are a newly qualified member or have previously served in another volunteer capacity. Members may be surprised to know that several past Chairs of STEP remain involved with committees, which shows that there is value to be added at every stage of your STEP journey. Having a range of voices around the table grows and nurtures inclusivity and helps to promote opportunities for all members to make sure that both visible and invisible diversity are honoured.

Committees may have specific requirements for a position, such as professional expertise or geographic representation, and most require applicants to be Full Members. But with so many volunteer positions available, there is bound to be something that is the right fit for you. Commitment to the role is a must, both in terms of preparing for and attending meetings (which are usually quarterly but may vary) and in taking forward work between meetings, as required.

Benefits of volunteering

By volunteering, you will help shape the future of STEP and gain great personal and professional benefits. These could range from gaining soft skills to help bring an edge to career progression, nurturing self-confidence, building resilience and meeting world-class experts within a particular field, to being part of a truly global community and elevating your knowledge and skills.

Next steps

We strongly encourage members to apply for volunteer positions. There is nothing to lose and a lot to gain. For many volunteers, serving on a committee is the first step to continuing their leadership journey, leading to elected positions locally, regionally or even on the STEP Council and Board.

If you are unsure about whether to step up to a committee position, please get in touch at governance@step.org and we can arrange a chat with the committee staff or chair and alleviate any apprehensions you have. We look forward to hearing from you.