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 2024 Board of Directors are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2024.

  • 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).

  • 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. A slate of recommended directors is sent to all meetings professional members in October of each year, 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 HPAC are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2024.

  • 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 support to attend and participate in Board and HPAC meetings (about 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.

The HPAC exists to listen to the needs of FICP’s hospitality partners and represent their interests to the Board of Directors. The committee provides advice and guidance on planner member needs; monitors hospitality partner and sponsor needs and trends; provides input regarding sponsorship and advertising program effectiveness; and hosts a hospitality partner session at each of the following: Annual Conference, the Education Forum and Symposia.

  • 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 an FICP Standing Committee are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2024.

  • 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 vision and generates content recommendations for the various education activities throughout the year, in-person and online. Ideal candidates are extremely familiar with industry trends and what’s important to meetings professionals for career growth and development, and are connected with experts 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 an FICP Event Team are not currently open. The next call will launch in Summer 2024.

  • Meetings professional members and hospitality partners.
  • 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 each in-person FICP event. The event teams assists FICP staff in selecting 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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Working Groups

Working Groups are formed and appointed by the chair of the Board in order to accomplish a short-term initiative, as determined by the Board of Directors. This year, FICP has the following working groups:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group: The DE&I Working Group is a body, appointed by the FICP Board Chair, that exists to provide leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion for FICP and for the profession. The group will identify opportunities, develop resources, and promote best practices with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion for the FICP Community to position the association as an industry leader in accordance with the FICP Strategic Plan.

View FICP's recently approved Statement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Rising Leaders Working Group: The Rising Leaders Working Group is an evolving body, appointed by the FICP Board Chair, that exists as a strategic resource to the board to provide insight and perspective on wants and needs of FICP’s defined persona, the Rising Meetings Professional, and to make recommendations to the Board on how best to serve this audience. 

Online Experience Working Group A brand’s public website is its most important asset and communication vehicle. The 2023 Online Experience Working Group played a critical role in a full webiste redesign launched back in Q4 of 2023 in support of the recommendations from the 2022 Online Experience Working Group and the FICP Board of Directors and advancing forward FICP’s strategy, selection and development of mobile app solutions for year-round and event-specific needs, also launched in Q4 2023. 

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Volunteer With FICP

FICP event teams are tied to specific events; committee terms are for one year and may be renewable. Most volunteers meet throughout the year via Zoom and do not require business travel; however, all volunteers are expected to be engaged members or hospitality partners who frequently attend FICP events, 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.
     
  • Expand your network. Opportunities abound to build your visibility within the profession. FICP volunteers meet new business contacts, deepen existing relationships and gain exposure to influential executives with whom they might not ordinarily have the opportunity to meet.
  • Operate at an elite level. Work closely with the most respected professionals in the business. Working with colleagues that have similar roles and responsibilities in other companies will introduce you to different approaches to business challenges and opportunities. Be a thought leader. Exchange your viewpoints, perspectives and beliefs. Swap stories. Share tools and proven techniques that will improve your efficiency. Learning how other companies address similar situations will also benefit your employer. 
  • Gain credibility and respect from industry peers, company colleagues, suppliers and others. Become part of a distinguished group that is respected by your peers. Company colleagues will note that you rank among the top professionals in your field. Hospitality partners will notice your position and realize that you have your company’s support.
  • Serve as a voice to effect change. Be on the forefront of change and how change may impact the association and its members. Provide vehicles in which change can be presented to members. Serving as an FICP Volunteer challenges you to "think differently" and to collaborate.
  • Build your personal brand. Serving FICP will give you the exposure necessary to extend your personal brand and enhance your reputation. This visibility provides a platform to demonstrate what makes you unique: who you are, what you do and what separates you from others within the profession. Boost your public profile and set yourself apart from others within the business. 
     
  • Enhance your strengths and learn new skills. Gain exposure to other skills and disciplines that may not be offered in your current position. 
    • Collaboration. Learn how to work more effectively in a group, build consensus, make decisions as a cohesive and diverse unit, and act in a manner that is accountable to the meetings community.
    • Public speaking. Hone your presentation skills, whether by serving on a committee, making a recommendation to the board, or presenting an education session. Serving FICP will help you to organize your thoughts, sell ideas and make persuasive arguments.
    • Finance. As a volunteer, you will gain insight into how the association operates. 
    • Strategic planning. Foresee the future and the broad outcomes the association will need to achieve. Be part of a continuous and dynamic organizational planning process from the highest level.
    • Marketing. Share your event marketing expertise and learn about industry research practices – how new data and trends can affect event and business strategies.
    • Leadership. Demonstrate and hone your leadership skills. As a volunteer and leader, serving FICP provides hands-on leadership training, both in practice and through formal education.
  • Improve your communications effectiveness. Serving FICP will introduce you to different ways of communicating, whether in person, virtually, by email, or through social media. Working with various audiences, you will have opportunities to practice speaking, writing, listening and observing non-verbal communication. 
  • Build self-confidence and self-awareness. By the end of their terms, FICP Volunteers usually show more confidence and awareness compared to when they began. Serving FICP will challenge you to learn about your values, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses. Most leave with improved executive presence.
     

Share your expertise and make a difference. Some people serve FICP for altruistic reasons – in other words, to give back to the profession in which they work. Sometimes the desire to serve comes from a passion to share knowledge and talents with others and enable them to grow. At the highest level, serving as an FICP Volunteer offers a way to gain meaning in one’s career – or at least a sense of personal pride and satisfaction. Ultimately, serving FICP provides the chance to make a difference to your profession and leave a legacy. 

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.