Get Involved: Become a Volunteer

Volunteers are the heartbeat of FICP. They offer industry expertise, unique insight and diverse experiences from their viewpoint of serving in the meetings and events, financial services and insurance, and hospitality industries.

For those who have the interest and ability, and can make the commitment to serve, we invite meetings professional members and hospitality partners to help the association achieve its goals by serving in various leadership capacities.

Board of Directors

Applications to be considered for the board of directors are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2025.

  • Be an FICP meetings professional member in good standing for two continuous years or more.
  • Be able to maintain their company responsibilities as well as their FICP Director responsibilities.
  • Have the full support of their company's management, since Board service requires additional work and occasional travel.
  • Have at least five years of experience working in the meetings and events profession.
  • Have not served on the FICP Board of Directors in the previous two years.

  • An engaged FICP member. Examples include service on an FICP committee, event team or working group; event attendance; activity in TheNetwork online community; or referring others to the association.
  • Recognized leader in the meetings and events community. Examples include sharing thought leadership through a blog, with the trade press or as a speaker; serving as a volunteer with other organizations; and/or demonstrated leadership within one’s own company or community.
  • Ability, interest and commitment to participate in three in-person meetings a year, virtual meetings as needed, and serve as a board liaison to a committee or event team. Directors are expected to attend the Annual Conference and have the option of attending the Education Forum or other association event(s).
  • Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within all aspects of the association, including membership, committees, staffing, education and events (in person and online).
  • Positive leadership attributes, including emotional intelligence, ability to work collaboratively, comfort with expressing their beliefs and participating in healthy debate, and willingness to wear their FICP hat and represent the organization and its best interests.
  • Visionary and strategic thinker who has demonstrated an ability to engage in new and innovative programs within their sphere of influence (e.g., incorporating strategy, leadership, future focus, risk-taking, entrepreneurial spirit).

View the FICP bylaws
View the current Board of Directors

The Governance Committee reviews the applications and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors for the following year’s Board. Once approved, a slate of recommended directors is sent to all meetings professional members in October. Members can vote on the slate and the results are announced at the Annual Business Meeting in November. Board terms are for three years and are not renewable; officer terms are for one year.

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Hospitality Partner Advisory Committee (HPAC)

Applications to be considered for the Hospitality Partner Advisory Committee (HPAC) are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2025.

  • Have been an FICP hospitality partner in good standing for five cumulative years or more.
  • Have attended at least four in-person FICP events, two of which have been the Annual Conference.
  • Have direct responsibility for sales efforts within the insurance and financial services market.
  • Have their company’s financial support to attend and participate in Board and HPAC meetings (two-to-three per year), as well as the Annual Conference, and pay sponsorship and registration fees.
  • Have not served on the HPAC in the previous five years.

  • An engaged FICP member. Examples include service on an FICP committee, event team or working group; event attendance; activity in TheNetwork online community; or referring others to the association.
  • Recognized leader in the meetings and events community. Examples include sharing thought leadership through a blog, with the trade press or as a speaker; serving as a volunteer with other organizations; and/or demonstrated leadership within one’s own company or community.
  • Ability, interest and commitment to participate in three in-person meetings a year, virtual meetings as needed, and serve as a board liaison to a committee or event team. Directors are expected to attend the Annual Conference and have the option of attending the Education Forum or other association event(s).
  • Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within all aspects of the association, including membership, committees, staffing, education and events (in person and online).
  • Positive leadership attributes, including emotional intelligence, ability to work collaboratively, comfort with expressing their beliefs and participating in healthy debate, and willingness to wear their FICP hat and represent the organization and its best interests.
  • Visionary and strategic thinker who has demonstrated an ability to engage in new and innovative programs within their sphere of influence (e.g., incorporating strategy, leadership, future focus, risk-taking, entrepreneurial spirit).

View current HPAC members

The Governance Committee reviews applications and makes a recommendation to the Board of Directors for the following year’s committee. The process is usually concluded by late September/early October. HPAC terms are for three years and are not renewable.
 

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Standing Committees

Applications to be considered for the standing committee are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2025.

  • Open to all meetings professional members and hospitality partners in good standing.
  • Terms are for one calendar year and are renewable for another year.
  • Call for volunteers for the standing committees open in the summer of each year.

View the current standing committee volunteers

FICP has three standing committees, each one directly supports FICP's strategic plan: 

Education Committee: Provides guidance and direction on the association’s education offerings and generates topic and speaker recommendations for the various education activities throughout the year, in-person and online. Ideal candidates should have an interest in adult learning theory and have a strong pulse on industry trends and the diverse needs of the financial services and insurance meetings professionals’ community. Committee members should be well connected with experts and peers capable of speaking on such topics.

Influence Committee: Positions FICP as an influential organization of thought-leading meetings professionals through research, media placements and industry collaborations. Ideal candidates are senior level professionals not only familiar with FICP but also have insight on elevating the perception of meetings professionals so they can further gain a seat at the strategy table within their companies.

Membership Committee: Provides guidance and direction for membership benefits and supports the association’s recruitment and retention efforts. Ideal candidates feel comfortable talking to strangers, are well-networked and can speak from the heart about why they are FICP members or hospitality partners — real ambassadors who can speak to the value of FICP to others.

The incoming FICP Chairperson, in conjunction with the Governance Committee, appoints committee chairs with the approval of the Board. The Committee Chairs, in collaboration with the Board Liaison and Staff Liaison, appoint committee members; the Governance Committee is consulted and the Board is informed. This process is completed by the end of the calendar year or earlier.

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Event Teams

Applications to be considered for the event teams are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2025.

  • Meetings professional members (hospitality partner spots are predetermined).
  • Service period ranges from 1-1.5 years, depending on the event.
  • Event team members are selected by the Event Team Chair and confirmed by the Governance Committee.

FICP has an event team for most in-person events. The event teams advise on general session keynote(s) and educational content, provide input on incorporating local elements and networking opportunities into meetings that align with FICP’s strategic goals, and participates in “grassroots” marketing campaigns as needed. In a typical year, FICP has the following event teams:

Event Teams are formed in collaboration with the Event Team Chair and Staff Liaison in collaboration with the Governance Committee. The Event Team Chair, in collaboration with the Board Liaison and Staff Liaison, appoint event team members; the Governance Committee is consulted and the Board is informed.

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Other Volunteer Opportunities

In addition to the Board of Directors, HPAC, Standing Committees and Event Teams, FICP has additional volunteer opportunities which include:

FICP Chat Facilitators: The FICP Chat Facilitators lead up to six online discussions throughout the year. Facilitators should encourage balanced participation, ensure respectful dialogue, facilitate discussions that include diverse viewpoints and manage biases that may arise. Content is advised by the Education Committee; facilitators develop the discussion topics. Meeting/discussion facilitation is preferred for this role.

Rising Professionals Community Co-Chairs: The Rising Professionals Community Co-Chairs advise on educational content for the online Rising Professionals Community and social activities for in-person events. They serve as a strategic resource to the FICP Board of Directors to ensure FICP is appropriately engaging the Rising Professionals persona. They also take on the role of facilitators for online and in-person Rising Professionals gatherings.

Silent Auction Task Force: The Silent Auction Task Force is a subcommittee of the HPAC. Each year, the silent auction is hosted during our Annual Conference. Work alongside your FICP community members and partners to help secure donations and promote the Silent Auction for a great cause. With over a million dollars raised for incredible causes over the years, you'll have the opportunity to join a force of fundraising superheroes.

Sustainability and Social Impact Working Group: The Sustainability and Social Impact Working Group is a body, appointed by the FICP Board Chair, that exists to provide leadership on the global issues surrounding sustainability as well as areas of social impact including but not limited to climate action; energy management; materials and waste management; water management; sustainable procurement (e.g., green cleaning); diversity, equity, and inclusion; accessibility; health and safety; human trafficking; and fair labor. The group will identify opportunities and promote best practices for the FICP community to position the association as an industry leader.

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Volunteer With FICP

FICP event teams are tied to specific events; committee and other volunteer-related terms are for one year and may be renewable. Most volunteers meet throughout the year virtually and do not require business travel; however, all volunteers are expected to be engaged members or hospitality partners who frequently attend FICP events, both online and in person. 

What Makes an Effective Volunteer?

  • Commitment to participate actively in all scheduled meetings and conference calls
  • Dedication to furthering FICP's goals and objectives
  • A willingness to learn from others
  • A positive attitude and high degree of flexibility
  • An understanding of the role of committees within FICP's structure
  • Knowledge relevant to the purpose of the volunteer opportunity

WIIFM: What's In It For Me?

Being appointed by your peers to serve as an FICP volunteer is an honor and great responsibility. Before accepting your assignment, determine if you are fully committed by reading the “Before You Say Yes” document, and ensure that you have your employer’s support. Also, consider below what is in it for you and your employer: 

  • Position your company as an industry leader. Serving FICP positions your company as supporting the meetings and events industry and the work you do, develops its people to be leaders and endorses their volunteer efforts for the good of the profession.
  • Demonstrate your value to your company. As an industry, serving FICP and its mission presents a macro view of the insurance and financial sectors as well as the meeting planning profession – a view beyond your current perspective from within your company or that of a meetings professional. Previous FICP volunteers often mention that serving the association helped them broaden their understanding of the business and improved their effectiveness within their company.
     

Serving as an FICP volunteer can be one of the most rewarding personal growth experiences of your life. Those who have served frequently say that they got more out of the experience than they contributed. The work is challenging, meaningful and highly rewarding. 

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For more information about the association, refer to FICP's bylaws or contact FICP Headquarters at (312) 245-1023 or info@ficpnet.com.