Welcome,
Thank you for choosing to explore the RQA Volunteer Programme. Volunteers play a huge and important role in the Association; they are integral to RQA's success.
There are a number of ways in which volunteers can support RQA activity:
This approach allows Volunteers to choose to support RQA in a manner that suits the Volunteer without over-committing their time. The opportunities are endless.
RQA relies upon the knowledge and commitment of dedicated Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to support its members by providing news updates, liaising with regulators, developing new products, and organising events. By volunteering your time and knowledge we hope that the volunteer experience can make a real difference to your career, the profession and your association.
I hope that you find your volunteer role to be fulfilling and rewarding. Please feel free to contact the RQA office with any queries or concerns.
Welcome, and thank you.
Anthony Wilkinson
RQA Director of Operations
The initial sign up for the programme is simple - we just need you to complete the form at the top of this page which will give us a bit more information about you and what you feel you could/want to contribute to RQA via the Volunteer Programme.
Once you’re registered as a volunteer by completing the form, you need to be aware of the different types of volunteering opportunities that are available (shown below). Each volunteering activity entails a timescale to complete or fulfil the task, project or role, from a few minutes on a task to many days per year as Chair of the Board. Please read through this overview of the types of opportunities and what each entails.
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short audio file containing verbal broadcast
Output required:
Audio file, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the author or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short video file containing visual broadcast
Output required:
MS Word file containing the bullet points and script, with a brief description of the subject
Audio file containing the voice over
Subject is determined by the author or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Live video broadcast
Output required:
Live simultaneous broadcast to paying customers
Subject is determined by the RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Concise descriptive report on a complex issue
Output required:
MS Word file of between 2000 and 8000 words
Subject is determined by the author or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Concise report to fit a theme
Output required:
MS Word file of between 1000 and 2000 words
Subject theme is determined by the author or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short topical post, often starting a conversation
Output required:
Social media post of around 100 words
Subject is determined by the author
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short informational post online
Output required:
MS Word file of around 300 words
Subject is determined by the author
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short topical visual/verbal production
Output required:
PowerPoint file containing the bullet points and notes, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the forum organiser
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short topical visual/verbal production
Output required:
PowerPoint file containing the bullet points and notes, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the seminar organiser
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Topical visual/verbal production
Output required:
PowerPoint file containing the bullet points and notes, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the Conference Programme Committee
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Visual display of a scientific or technical nature
Output required:
Graphics file or PDF of the poster
Subject is determined by the author/s
This is a task-based activity
Activity description:
Evaluation of draft material or product
Output required:
Feedback to the author
Estimated time required to complete:
Nothing specified – depends on the size and nature of the product
This is a task-based activity
Activity description:
Evaluation of draft regulations
Output required:
Feedback to the authority and RQA
Estimated time required to complete:
Nothing specified – depends on the size and nature of the draft
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Publication covering a scientific or technical topic
Output required:
MS Word file for up to 60 pages of content (A5)
Subject is determined by the author/s or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Short topical visual/verbal production
Output required:
MS Word file containing the bullet points and script, with a brief description of the subject
Audio file containing the voice over
Subject is determined by the author/s or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Series of eLearning modules on a common topic
Output required:
Series of eLearning modules
Subject is determined by the author/s or RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Face-to face learning programme
Output required:
Delivery of material within the framework of the course
Subject is determined by the Course Principal
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Face-to face learning programme
Output required:
MS Word file containing the bullet points and notes, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Face-to face learning programme
Output required:
MS Word file containing the bullet points and notes, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the RQA
This is a task-based activity
Product description:
Face-to face learning programme
Output required:
MS Word file containing the bullet points and notes, with a brief description of the subject
Subject is determined by the RQA
This is a one-off task-based activity
Activity description:
Identification of potential membership sector group
Output required:
Correspondence with RQA Office or Global Engagement Team
This is a one-off task-based activity
Activity description:
Development of ideas to reach-out to a wider audience
Output required:
Correspondence with RQA Office
This is a virtual activity
Activity description:
Sharing/commenting of RQA posts
Output required:
Start a conversation, or share and comment on RQA posts
Estimated time required to complete:
A few minutes per week
Subject is determined by the volunteer
This is a one-off task-based activity
Activity description:
Development of ideas around potential new RQA activities
Output required:
Correspondence with RQA Office
This is a task-based activity
Activity description:
Development of ideas around new approaches to RQA activities
Output required:
Correspondence with RQA Office
This is a task-based activity
Activity description:
Identification of new arenas or markets for RQA activities
Output required:
Correspondence with RQA Office
This is a time-based activity
Activity description:
Attending meetings such as EMA or MHRA meetings
Output required:
Attendance at a meeting
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfil:
Meetings – 2 to 4 days per year; Follow-up – 2 to 4 days per year
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfil:
Meetings – 2 to 4 days per year; Follow-up – 3 to 6 days per year
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfill:
Meetings – 4 to 6 days per year; Follow-up – 2 to 4 days per year
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfil:
Meetings – 4 to 6 days per year; Follow-up – 4 to 6 days per year
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfil:
Meetings – 4 to 6 days per year; Follow-up – 6 to 8 days per year
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfil:
Meetings – 4 to 6 days per year; Follow-up – 8 to 12 days per year
This is a time-based activity
Estimated time required to fulfil:
Meetings – 4 to 6 days per year; Follow-up – 9 to 15 days per year
All current opportunities are listed on the RQA website, these will change from time-to-time, so please keep checking.
Any new volunteering opportunities will be advertised on the RQA website as they arise. Alternatively, if you’re keen to volunteer and you’ve got a great idea, please contact the RQA office directly.
RQA recognises and fully appreciates that Volunteers are giving up their free time to support RQA activities. Simply, the RQA would not exist without the knowledge and commitment of its active Volunteers. However, for the relationship between RQA and Volunteers to be effective, there are obligations on both sides that should be observed. This is not a legally binding agreement- this is to aid the understanding, and build the partnership, between Volunteers and RQA.
It is valuable for RQA Volunteers to appreciate what they can expect from RQA and,likewise,what RQA can expect of Volunteers.
All Volunteer positions have a profile which describes the details of the Volunteer's responsibilities and requirements to ensure clarity regarding the tasks,projects and roles being undertaken.
The Volunteering section of the RQA website holds all the information relevant to the RQA Volunteer Programme. RQA posts updates on the website to keep Volunteers and members informed of the latest tasks and projects; we're always looking for updates- please get in touch if there's anything we need to know.
RQA holds volunteer details and records to document the contribution made by volunteers. RQA is registered under Data Protection legislation and we will not pass on any information to third parties. We understand that individual's details change; it is important that Volunteers update their RQA profile with any new information.
RQA operates an equal opportunities policy in respect of both paid staff and volunteers. All volunteers will be treated equally with respect to opportunities to volunteer, or the type of work allocated to them.
We hope that Volunteers will not encounter any issues while volunteering with RQA. However, Volunteers have the right to discuss any concerns they may have with their contact at any time. If for any reason, a Volunteer has a concern that cannot be discussed with their contact they should alert the RQA office.
Volunteers know better than anyone about volunteering with RQA- their feedback is vital. If at any point a Volunteer feels that their volunteering experience could have been better,please get in touch with the RQA office. RQA relies on Volunteer feedback to improve our processes and actions.
RQA also occasionally distributes feedback questionnaires; we really appreciate the responses from our active Volunteers. We are also always keen to hear about the individual experiences from RQA Volunteers, feel free to share any stories.
RQA understands that there are many reasons and situations which may result in members no longer being able to continue volunteering. Volunteers should let the RQA office know as soon as possible if they're unable to continue Volunteering.
On the basis of their voluntary work, volunteers who have volunteered for more than 40 hours have the right to request a reference.
If Volunteers can't find the answer to their particular query, please email us volunteering@therqa.com to discuss anything further. Thanks again for joining the RQA Volunteer Programme.