Want to make a difference? Become a PMI UK volunteer!

If you’re looking for a new challenge in 2023, why not consider volunteering for PMI UK? The PMI UK Chapter is run entirely by volunteers. Take it from me, volunteering will change your life; not only is it a great way to contribute to the growth of the PM profession, but you’ll also make a lot of amazing new friends whilst helping out on projects.

I think we can agree that time is the most valuable asset we have. And when we offer that time, especially when we do it for free, there must be a pretty compelling case for doing so. I believe when people volunteer at the PMI UK Chapter, that case has a lot to do with the impact you have on the people within your professional community.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the PMI UK Chapter. They are extraordinarily generous with their time and talents, and their willingness to offer their services has made the UK chapter and the PMI globally, the envy of not-for-profit professional associations around the world.

But why is that? Why, given the wide range of incredibly rewarding volunteer opportunities available, do so many of our members choose to invest their valuable time with PMI? What makes our volunteer experience different and more attractive?

I believe the common thread here is the opportunity PMI UK offers to make a difference—not just in general but making a difference in the lives of people we are directly affiliated with. How volunteers and members individually make a difference does vary of course. Some are focused on teaching, others on networking and others are all about community building. But in each case, they are driven by a desire to make a personal difference. This certainly rings true for me as a volunteer.

With PMI UK I have found a community where I fit—that shared my hunger for “purpose” and that was willing to engage in a shared effort to make things happen.

There are, of course, many reasons to volunteer at PMI. It can help build your professional network, identify advancement opportunities, maintain your certification, and sharpen vital professional skills—leadership skills, in particular.

But for those willing to take on a volunteer role there are also many benefits:

• Personal development of leadership and other soft skills in a non-threatening environment
• Peer recognition through interaction and publicity of Chapter activities
• Development of a peer network within the inner circle of volunteers
• Participation in special leadership meetings with Chapter officers
• Satisfaction of contributing to the Chapter’s success and celebrating it at special volunteer-only events
• Credit (PDUs) toward certification renewal

There are many ways that you can contribute to PMI UK as a volunteer and advance your career. Our volunteer opportunities encompass a wide range of interests, skills and goals, so find the opportunity that’s right for you.

There are many open opportunities at the moment to PMI members. More details can be found on the PMI Volunteer Resource Management System (VRMS). You will need to sign up as a UK Chapter member to see these.

Contact us at volunteering@pmi.org.uk for more information.

What are YOU waiting for? Join the PMI UK Chapter, sign up as a volunteer and help us make a difference. Let's turn those ideas into reality!