Get involved

Volunteering for membership scrutineering or our technical and member activities is a great way of networking - come and join us!

If you would like to get more involved with IOM3, there is a range of opportunities to do so for members of all grades.

Our volunteers play a vital role in our success, supporting IOM3 in reaching its goals and delivering member benefit. We have roles for volunteers with strong technical expertise, experience of any of the range of IOM3 activities including accreditation, awards, conferences and events, education and outreach, information management, training, professional registration and publishing, or a background in audit, finance, law, governance or membership. In return, you will receive training appropriate to your role and get to be part of the life of your Institute, with the opportunity to develop new skills as part of the wider Institute team delivering our vision to be recognised as the global leader for professionals involved with the materials cycle.

IOM3 is keen to encourage diversity in its volunteer cohort and particularly to recruit more women members to its boards, committees and scrutineer panels. Some of the opportunities for involvement and the degree of commitment required, as well as any qualifications, are described below.

Members who were active within IOM3 said that by being a member of a committee, division or board, they benefitted from the networking that it provides, and the knowledge and expertise that they gain from other members. Younger members felt that it helped them to enhance their learning and get greater support in becoming chartered/registered.

Membership survey

IOM3

Volunteer applications are considered on an ongoing basis and we are happy to arrange informal conversations for anyone who wants to find out more about the opportunities.

We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully welcoming you to our enthusiastic body of volunteers!

Boards & Committees

Governance boards & committees

As a member of a Governance Board you will become more involved with the Institute and provide strategic guidance to assist us in reaching our goals.

  • Commitment: 3 x committee meetings  per year, on average. Some committees meet more or less frequently.
  • Where? Meetings are held by Video Conference and in person.
  • Requirements: IOM3 Member

At the moment, we have particular opportunities for individuals with strengths in:

  • Audit
  • Finance
  • Publishing

Technical communities

As a member of a technical community board or committee you represent the views of professionals working within the technical field in question. You may help to organise events, comment upon developments, reply to consultations or nominate worthy award winners or select award recipients from the point of view of that community.

  • Commitment: 3 x committee meetings per year, on average. Some committees meet more or less frequently.
  • Where? Meetings are held by Video Conference and in person.
  • Requirements: IOM3 Member active in relevant field

Member networks

Organising events and representing the views of the relevant IOM3 member network, including the Women in Materials, Minerals & Mining and the Student & Early Career Committee.

  • Commitment: 3 x committee meetings per year plus extra optional event attendance. Typically ~1 hour per month (average) offline input. Some Student/Early Career Members and the Chair of Women in Materials, Minerals & Mining also sit as representatives on other IOM3 Boards.
  • Where? Meetings are held by Video Conference and in person.
  • Requirements: IOM3 Member (any grade)

Local Societies

Taking on a role for or becoming actively involved in organising events for a local society.

  • Commitment: Depends on how active the local society is, but at least quarterly.
  • Where? Local to your place of work / home. Meetings are held by Video Conference and in person.
  • Requirements: IOM3 Member (any grade)

Membership, Registration & Accreditation

Registration and Membership Scrutineer

Assessing the credentials of applicants against Fellowship grade criteria and registration criteria of the Engineering Council, Science Council and Society for the Environment.

  • Commitment: 1 day of training which must be repeated every 3 years. Each assessment takes around 60 minutes to complete. Commit to as many assessments as you are willing to undertake, but we advise regular involvement to ensure competence is maintained and developed. 
  • Where? Remotely.
  • Requirements: Hold the Fellowship grade or level of registration or above of the application being assessed. Skilled in respective technical field.

Registration and Membership Interviewer

Assessing the competence of applicants for the award of Engineering Council, Science Council and Society for the Environment levels of professional registration. 

Commitment: 1 day of training which must be repeated every 3 years. Interviews are arranged in day-long sessions of 3 or 4. Preparation is required pre-interview of 30 minutes for each application. You can commit to as many as you are willing to undertake.

Where? Remote preparation; interviews are held through MS Teams.

Requirements: Hold the level of registration or above of the application being assessed. Skilled in respective technical field.

Accreditation Assessor

Assessing whether a Higher/Further Education provider meets the requirements for accreditation, or a Company IPD scheme meets the requirements for approval.

  • Commitment: 1 day of training which must be repeated every 3 years. Accreditation visits of 2 days at universities or companies, plus write-up time. You can commit to as many as you are willing to undertake.
  • Where? In person - on site visits over two days with an overnight stay. Preparation and follow-up work done remotely. Travelling expenses paid. We are currently trialling remote accreditation: this is a blended visit with the majority of work being undertaken remotely and only one panel member visiting in person.
  • Requirements: Registered as a CEng with a technical background in the subject area being assessed.

Mentoring volunteer

Supporting individuals who wish to achieve professional registration against the standards of the Engineering Council, Science Council and Society for the Environment.

  • Commitment: 1 day of training which must be repeated every 3 years. Mentors are then paired with a suitable mentee and correspond remotely. Commitment is approximately 6 hours per mentee each year. We allocate no more than 3 mentees per mentor. 
  • Where? By email or MS Teams.
  • Requirements: Hold the level of registration or above the mentee is working towards. Skilled in respective technical field.

Current volunteer vacancies

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IOM3 Commercial Activities Board recruitment

  • Contract type: Voluntary role
  • Salary: N/A
  • Closing date: 31 Dec 2024

Are you interested in becoming more involved in the strategic future of the Institute? IOM3 is seeking to recruit one or two new volunteer members for our Commercial Activities Board, which provides strategic guidance to our non-membership income generating activities, including publishing, conferences, information services, venue hire and training.

See all vacancies