When did you first join the RTPI?

As a student in 1983

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

Probably 1990’s with North East of Scotland local committee

How did you get started, what was your first role?

Rep for Banff & Buchan Council Planning on committee to identify CPD site visits

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

My volunteering journey started in 2014 when I thought I needed to put something in and also wanted to understand where the planning profession was at. Spotted the opportunity to volunteer for the Accreditation panel or Partnership Board and submitted an application. Was appointed to the Queens University Belfast Board as Vice Chair starting in 2015 and then became chair in 2019 and 2020.  As part of this I was also a member of the Partnership and Accreditation Panel and became Vice Chair in 2021.

I applied to join the Volunteer advisory group in 2021 as I wanted to help open up opportunities.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

- A greater understanding of how Planners are being trained now

- New connections

- An understanding that there needs to be a wider understanding of the different legislation and planning procedures in the devolved nations and Ireland.

- That opportunities need to be widened and that a lot of Planners are still invisible.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Reassurance that my skill set is still up to date and has value

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Just give it a go. You’ll get more out than you ever put in.