Volunteering 

Chairs recruiting for their volunteer group review potential candidates from the Volunteer Application Registry (VAR). With the assistance of CIA Head Office staff, the chair will select the candidate(s) who best meet the requirements for the role. They then meet with the candidate to determine mutual interest and compatibility.

All volunteers are appointed by the volunteer group’s parent group (e.g., CIA council or Board). Key details about a prospective volunteer are provided to council members, including the rationale for selection, as a check and balance to ensure strong volunteer groups across the Institute.

We have volunteer roles for all levels of experience, though some roles require more experience than others. For example, an oversight board might require 10 or more years of experience while a subcommittee often thrives when balanced with volunteers from all career levels.

Most volunteer roles require a commitment of two to five hours per month. In addition, different volunteer groups have different term lengths. For example, task forces are usually a short-term commitment of less than a year, project oversight groups are usually a commitment of six months to three years and subcommittees, committees and councils are a three-year commitment for members and a two-year commitment for chairs.

We strive to contact registrants within six months, but how quickly you’re contacted will depend on position availability and the quality of information you provide in your volunteer profile. Those who elaborate on their interests, experiences and skills are often the first selected for opportunities.

Once you have been selected to serve on a volunteer group, you will be contacted by the chair, the staff liaison for the group or the Volunteer Services team.

Yes, your volunteer time can count toward CPD if you think your volunteer role is relevant to your learning. To help determine if your role is applicable for CPD, please review the rules.

There are many benefits to volunteering for the CIA. Volunteering can help you build your professional network, improve your collaboration and communication skills and contribute to your professional development. As a volunteer you will be exposed to a multitude of viewpoints and have more opportunity to learn about other practice areas, trends in the profession and so much more. Many CIA volunteers express that they are stronger actuaries and employees as a result.

Yes, all prospective volunteers are asked to complete their volunteer profile and update it on an annual basis. Completing your profile is how your name is added to the Volunteer Application Registry (VAR). Chairs use this information to determine whether you meet the criteria for a vacancy, and your profile is also provided as part of the appointment process.

You can complete your volunteer profile by filling in your details on the My Competencies[[link]] page under My Volunteer Profile[[link]]. Once you’ve submitted your competencies, your name will be added to the VAR. You will then be asked if you’d like to identify which volunteer groups you are interested in being involved with. This is not a required step, but it can help in matching you with the right role.

We request that you update your VAR profile at least annually and whenever you’ve experienced a major change, such as a change in job or family situation. You will receive a reminder every November to update your profile.

If you’re no longer able to volunteer, simply update your volunteer profile by unselecting the “Yes” checkbox under “I would like to add my name to the list of potential volunteers for the CIA.” You can always reselect it when you’re ready to volunteer again.

To become a CIA volunteer, you must be an active ACIA or FCIA in good standing and CPD compliant. Various volunteer groups may have additional criteria to suit their unique needs.

Appointments are approved by the parent council, so how long it takes will depend on how frequently the council meets. For example, the Research Council meets monthly while the Practice Development Council meets quarterly.

The website is generally updated within a month of the official appointment. We encourage anyone noticing an error on a volunteer group’s member listing to reach out to the Volunteer Services team.

Your start date is at the discretion of the group’s chair. Often, chairs will invite new group members to attend meetings as an observer prior to the official appointment to assist with onboarding and training.

All first-time volunteers are required to complete a short orientation video that covers the details on the roles and responsibilities of CIA volunteers. You will also be given access to the CIA’s Volunteer Management System (VMS) and provided a short training video on how to navigate the system.

The chair of your volunteer group will provide you with the details you need for group-specific training. For example, you may get meeting minutes from recent meetings and an overview of the group’s current activities.

New chairs are provided with a four-week video welcome series. Each week covers a different aspect of being a chair and includes a session on the CIA’s organizational structure.