Get Involved

Volunteering

The work of TOPRA is supported by office staff but driven by the involvement and commitment of our members. The input of volunteers, whether they are employed by companies, consultancies or regulatory agencies or acting as freelancers, is vital.

Why volunteer?

Signing up to be a volunteer will increase your technical knowledge, extend your network of contacts and develop your skills.

Our volunteers come from all areas of the industry and believe their volunteership is not optional but essential to developing their careers.

What work do volunteers do?

Volunteers can participate in working parties or committees or speak at conferences. Members can also contribute by writing articles on their current projects or on a particular interest.

How much time do I need?

Most work is done in the volunteer’s personal time – for example, a volunteer on the Publications Committee reviewing a paper from a contributor, someone planning a training meeting scanning journals to identify the opinion leaders on a particular topic or preparing a presentation.

Work in business hours includes contacting an agency speaker or meeting with regulatory colleagues to plan a new course – although these meetings are kept to a minimum.

We understand that volunteers must balance their commitments to their employers and their support of TOPRA.

See TOPRA's expenses policy

What are the advantages of volunteering?

Members who actively participate in TOPRA activities find that their personal profiles are raised in the industry by their interactions on committees or by having their name in print in a journal or other publication.

Many volunteer activities bring people into contact with new information and leading figures in the regulatory world. Relationships formed in the TOPRA environment lead to an individual having a network for support and information throughout their professional career.

There are others benefits. Participating in a committee can teach and enhance team-working or chairing skills, helping individuals attain their personal goals for continuing professional development.

How will my employer benefit?

TOPRA volunteers who speak on training courses become known as experts in the field, bringing kudos to their company as well as themselves. The increased personal network of TOPRA volunteers means that they have access to ideas and information outside of the corporate culture as well as increased opportunities to establish and cultivate strong professional relationships, which can increase the success of future regulatory applications.

Companies with well-developed CPD programmes find that TOPRA activities give greater opportunity for employees to meet their development goals.

TOPRA enjoys close relations with other leading professional bodies, and opportunities to attend industry events as guests of TOPRA are sometimes available.

How do we recognise volunteer contributions?

Distinguished Service Awards

Distinguished Service Awards recognise volunteers whose contributions have made a real difference. Individuals can nominate colleagues for their efforts on a particular task or over a sustained period of time. Awards are made throughout the year and publicised in our InTouch newsletter.

For nomination forms please see TOPRA Distinguished Service Award

TOPRA 'TOP TEAM' Awards

TOPRA also acknowledges the work done by teams with the ‘TOP TEAM’ award. The award publicly acknowledges an outstanding volunteer team contribution as recognition and appreciation for their efforts.

A TOP TEAM nomination form can be obtained here.

Please click here to download our 'TOP TEAM' Award Terms & Conditions.

Want to volunteer?

For more information about volunteering please email volunteering@topra.org

Special Interest Networks

TOPRA's Special Interest Networks promote contact between regulatory professionals working in the same specialist sector, providing a forum for exchanging views and ideas and for mutual support.

TOPRA In...

TOPRA In... groups support regulatory professionals living and working in a country or region, providing a forum for discussion and networking.