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

The Board of Directors is the governing body of FICP. It exists to provide strategic direction, set policy, ensure the association’s financial viability, provide sufficient resource allocation and oversee the performance of the Executive Director.

  • 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 served at least one year in a volunteer role for FICP.
  • Have not served on the FICP Board of Directors in the previous two years.

Desired Board Member competencies and qualities include:

  • Having a passion for and commitment to the mission; understanding of the association; serving on the Board is a privilege.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; emotional maturity; influence, presence and charisma.
  • Strategic planning abilities – ability to think strategically and critically.
  • Understanding of financial management.
  • Leadership experience.
  • Ability to collaborate and build relationships.
  • Industry knowledge/business acumen.
  • Knowledge of governance practices; oversight vs. supervision; forward-thinking (duty of foresight).
  • Capacity to recruit and retain volunteers.

The FICP Board of Directors usually meets in person three times per year: In the winter/spring (strategy), summer in conjunction with the FICP Education Forum (mid-year and goal setting) and December (orientation and team building). The Board meets virtually in the spring to approve the annual audit and in the fall to approve the slate of directors and the following year’s annual budget. Additionally, each director is asked to serve as a liaison to at least one committee or event team, which requires additional virtual calls and, in some instances, travel.

  • 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.

Back to top

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.

  • A demonstrated leader who is actively engaged in the hospitality partner community and has a proven track record for championing the following leadership behaviors:
    • Visionary thinking
    • Inclusive leadership
    • Professionalism in social situations
  • Have been an FICP hospitality partner in good standing for three cumulative years or more.
  • Have attended at least three 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.
  • There is one designated position for a Rising Professional. This position is for an individual who has been in the hospitality industry for 10 or fewer years at the time of appointment.

The HPAC serves as a representative body for the hospitality partners of FICP. The purpose of the HPAC is threefold:

1. Advocacy for Inclusivity and Collaboration

  • Presents hospitality partner community ideas and concerns to the Board of Directors.
  • Ensures that hospitality partners are fully integrated into the broader FICP community, encouraging open dialogue and cooperation between hospitality partners and meetings professionals. This aligns with the One Community initiative’s goal of creating a more connected and unified network.

2. Thought Leadership

  • Provides regular insights on industry trends and challenges to both the Board of Directors and association membership. Through thought leadership, HPAC helps drive discussions that benefit all stakeholders, emphasizing shared goals and values. It also ensures that the hospitality partner community is involved in key strategic decisions.

3. Consultation on Sponsorship Program

  • Monitors the needs of hospitality partners and provides input on the sponsorship program’s effectiveness and supports the process to ensure equitable representation and engagement across the community.

Two to three hours per month; participation includes at least two in-person meetings with the FICP Board of Directors, committee calls (about eight per year) and designated committee tasks. Each HPAC member is asked to serve as a liaison to at least one committee or event team, which, in some instances, involves additional travel.

  • 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. HPAC Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair roles may extend terms past three years.

Back to top

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.

Education Committee: Two to three hours per month; participation includes monthly committee calls and, as necessary, completing pre-work and serving as a room monitor for in-person and/or virtual programs.

Influence Committee: One to two hours per month; participation includes virtual committee calls (about four times per year) and designated committee tasks.

Membership Committee: One to two hours per month; participation includes virtual committee calls (about four times per year) and designated committee tasks.

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: Oversees successful execution of advocacy efforts that support three overarching goals: 1) elevating the perception of meetings professionals and the impact of events, 2) increasing the number of meetings professionals “at the table” with C-Suite executives in their own organization and 3) elevating the perception of FICP as the premier organization for meetings professionals and hospitality partners in the F&I industry. Ideal candidates are senior-level professionals familiar with FICP who also have insight on elevating the perception of meetings professionals.

Membership Committee: Supports the association’s initiatives to recruit new members and retain existing ones. Focuses on enhancing member engagement and ensuring a valuable onboarding experience for new members. 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.
 

Back to top

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.

Annual Conference Event Team: One to two hours per month; participation includes monthly virtual calls and designated Event Team tasks. May include one site visit, usually in the first quarter of the calendar year.

Education Forum Event Team: One to two hours per month; participation includes monthly virtual calls and designated Event Team tasks. May include one site visit, usually in the first quarter of the calendar year.

Strategic Leaders Event Team: Up to three virtual exchanges held throughout the year; two hours each. Planning for the in-person event begins in the second half of the year; One to four hours per month pending need.

Winter Symposium Event Team: One to two hours per month; participation includes monthly virtual calls and designated Event Team tasks. May include one site visit, usually in the first quarter of the calendar year.

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 into the meeting, develop the event’s networking strategy and participate in “grassroots” marketing campaigns as needed.

The role of the Strategic Leaders Event Team is slightly different than other event teams. This team assists staff in determining the format for the in-person event, including serving as or selecting a facilitator, as well as generating discussion topics for educational content. In addition, the Event Team is responsible for facilitating approximately three virtual exchanges throughout the year.

In a typical year, FICP has the following event teams:

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.

Back to top

Other Volunteer Opportunities

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

DEI Working Group: The DEI Working Group exists to provide leadership on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for FICP and the profession. The group will identify opportunities, develop resources and promote best practices with regard to DEI for the FICP Community to position the association as an industry leader. This working group focuses on improving diversity and a sense of belonging within FICP.

Time Commitment: One to two hours per month; participation includes virtual working group calls (about 4x per year) and designated working group tasks.

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 experience is preferred for this role.

Time Commitment: Approximately 10 hours throughout the year, spread across six virtual FICP Chats.

FICP In... Events Task Force: This task force assists staff in determining the dates and location for events to be held in areas of high FICP membership and potential membership density, based on knowledge of the local community and industry event landscape. Task Force members also recruit members and prospective members to attend the event.

Time Commitment: Two to three one-hour virtual meetings and optional attendance at the event.

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. These positions are for individuals who have been in the industry for 10 or fewer years.

Time Commitment: One to two hours per month.

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.

Time Commitment: Three virtual committee meetings; six hours of total commitment.

Back to top

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, Annual Conference and Education Forum Event Team members are expected to travel to one in-person planning meeting. 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
  • 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 otherwise 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. 

Back to top

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