Volunteering with CIPS
What is volunteering?
Every year hundreds of our member volunteers give their time and their knowledge to support CIPS and the profession. They share their expertise and experience, they advise and guide other members, and they demonstrate their passion for procurement and supply. Whatever form your volunteer role takes, you’ll be an ambassador for CIPS, helping to shape both CIPS and the profession’s future and enhance your own personal and professional development.
How can you volunteer?
Whether you’re starting out on your career in procurement and supply, recently qualified and keen to encourage others to do the same, or a long-standing member looking to give back your time and expertise to fellow professionals, there’s a volunteer role for everyone. Here’s a few of the volunteer opportunities you could get involved in:
Join a branch
We have an increasingly growing and active branch network and there are lots of opportunities available to get involved and support them, whether that’s becoming a member of a branch, joining the committee, speaking at an event or even hosting one.
Membership Committee
The Committee supports the development of our membership representation, whilst encouraging innovative ways to improve how we capture and act upon our members voices.
Education Discussion Group
Made up of volunteers who have a specific interest in supporting the CIPS Strategic Objective to promote procurement and supply as a ‘Career of Choice’ through activities and events across, schools, colleges and universities.
Mentoring Circles
FCIPS Mentors working together mentoring a small group of mentees, on a specific topic or theme over a series of virtual sessions.
- a great opportunity to further your contribution to the profession and CIPS
- sharpen your skills as a facilitator
- explore the themes that you have a passion for
- ... and expand your network!
Special Knowledge Groups
Special knowledge groups support understanding of best practices and general knowledge sharing in dedicated areas, for example, the Charities Sector and Marketing.
Why volunteer?
Get involved
To give back to society through coaching, mentoring, supporting and guiding students and other members on the importance and benefits of having a CIPS qualification. At the time, there was a big knowledge gap within the procurement and supply chain profession in my country Kenya and I wanted to be part of the team that would empower the supply chain professional community through creating forums and opportunities for them to have the much-needed information and knowledge.
Emily Okonjo FCIPS
Communications Officer, CIPS Kenya Branch
Volunteering will enable you to connect with like-minded and diverse individuals, learning from their expertise, gaining valuable insights along the way.
I’ve been a CIPS volunteer since 2022, and my most cherished memory is participating in the networking events. These events provided an incredible opportunity to meet other members and professionals in the field, facilitating discussions on current market trends, case studies, and various projects.
Starting as a volunteer member, I now have the privilege of serving as the branch chair for the ANZ region. In this role, I host events, invite speakers to share their expertise, and secure sponsorships from suppliers. This experience has significantly broadened my professional network and deepened my understanding of the procurement and supply chain industry.”
Ismail Halim MCIPS
Wellington New Zealand Branch Chair
Not only will you be inspiring the next generation of procurement and supply professionals, but you’ll also grow your own professional profile and skills. Whether you want to improve your communication skills, self-esteem or simply want to master speaking at events, volunteering benefits not only your career, but your personal development.
Reflecting on my journey as a volunteer with CIPS, I am filled with pride. It all began with my involvement in the CIPS Kenya branch, followed by participation in the CIPS Global Congress where I served as the Africa student representative. Today, I stand as a member of the Volunteer Engagement Group, deeply honoured to have contributed to the advancement of the procurement profession and the esteemed CIPS organisation. Being part of this global procurement body is a source of great pride for me. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue guiding and assisting others in understanding the essence of CIPS and its mission, while furthering the growth and development of our profession.
Kevin Okinda MCIPS
Member of Volunteer Engagement Group
Hear from our volunteers
Remember, we will be here to support you every step of the way.
Our dedicated volunteer team and mentors are ready to provide you with practical support, resources and tools to excel in your volunteering role alongside our Volunteer Engagement Group. This group was established to further harness the support of our volunteering community, and ensure CIPS volunteers are celebrated, recognised and their activities are aligned with our strategy.
How do I get involved?
Whether you’re starting out on your career in procurement and supply, recently qualified and keen to encourage others to do the same, or a long-standing member looking to give back your time and expertise to fellow professionals, everyone has different reasons to get involved. To express an interest in volunteering with CIPS, complete our short form and one of the CIPS team will be in touch.