Volunteering

Why should you volunteer at TOPRA?

Volunteering with TOPRA offers you the opportunity to ‘network’ with fellow regulatory professionals that will benefit you and your employer in many ways. TOPRA represents regulatory professionals as individuals: not as employees of particular companies. In this way, volunteers can come together as part of a ‘community’ to share concerns and information and learn from them.

Signing up to be a volunteer of a committee or working group will increase your technical knowledge, extend your network of contacts, and develop new skills. Our volunteers come from all areas of the industry and many volunteers believe their volunteership is not optional but essential to developing their careers.

The work of TOPRA is supported by office staff, but driven by the involvement and commitment of the volunteers themselves. Their input, whether they are employed by companies, consultancies, regulatory agencies, or acting as freelancers, is vital in ensuring that all individuals gain the benefits TOPRA offers to their volunteers.

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What kind of contribution can TOPRA volunteers make?

There are two main areas in which TOPRA volunteers can give their time to the Organisation; by speaking at conferences or by participating in working parties or committees.

The majority of this work is done in the volunteer’s personal time – for example, a volunteer of the Publications Committee reviewing a paper from a contributor, or someone planning a training meeting scanning journals to identify the opinion leaders in a particular topic, or preparing a presentation. Volunteers can also contribute by writing articles on their current projects or their own particular interests.

Work that can be done in business hours include contacting an agency speaker to make a presentation, or meeting with regulatory colleagues to plan a new course – although these meetings are kept to the minimum needed.

TOPRA recognises that volunteers must prioritise their business objectives first, balancing their commitments to their employers and their support of TOPRA. The Organisation recognises and understands that volunteers cannot put TOPRA first and offers the support of other committee volunteers and its headquarters office staff. For this reason, employers can be confident that the professional approach of TOPRA means that company objectives are met.

Click here for details about TOPRA's expenses policy.

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What are the advantages of volunteering for TOPRA?

TOPRA volunteers who actively participate in the Organisation’s activities find that their personal profiles are raised in the industry by their interactions on committees, or by having their name in print in the journal or other publications. Many of the activities they are involved in can bring them into contact with new information and leading figures in the regulatory world. These relationships formed in the TOPRA environment lead to an individual having a network for support and information throughout their professional career, which is also a significant benefit to their employing companies.

There are others benefits. Participating in a committee can teach and enhance team-working or chairmanship skills and can help individuals attain their personal goals for continuing professional development (CPD) in these and similar areas.

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How does an employer benefit from employees volunteering for TOPRA?

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 CPD goals.

TOPRA enjoys close relations with leading professional bodies that include the Institute of Clinical Research, the British Association of Pharmaceutical Physicians, The Association of Clinical Data Management, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and trade associations including ABPI, ABHI, PAGB, HMFA Eucomed, AESGP, EGA, and EFPIA.

Employers of individuals who volunteer with TOPRA also reap the rewards of their employees’ participation, where opportunities to attend industry events as guests of TOPRA are available. TOPRA believes that offering real and tangible benefits to volunteers will benefit the company they work for through an increased bank of knowledge, a diverse network of contacts, and an unrivalled standing amongst industry peers. It's also our way of saying 'thank you' for supporting a volunteer's commitment to TOPRA.

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How do we recognise volunteer contributions?

Distinguished Service Awards

TOPRA has introduced Distinguished Service Awards to 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 In Touch newsletter, making sure their contribution is widely known.

For nomination forms please click on the following link - TOPRA Distinguished Service Award

TOPRA 'TOP TEAM' Awards

TOPRA also acknowledges the work done by teams with the introduction of 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.

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