Celebrating the transformative impact of volunteers

Our global network of 400 volunteers is at the heart of the CQI’s work. Many of our achievements are the result of our volunteers' amazing dedication and commitment.  

From leading and supporting our network activities, contributing to articles and blogs, reviewing content, creating and revising quality and auditing-related standards, to serving as a trustee or committee member, our volunteers support the CQI across strategic and operational levels.  

National Volunteers’ Week, 2-6 June 2025, is a great opportunity to showcase our volunteers’ impact, share our future plans and say a huge thank you to our network of volunteers. 

Celebrating our volunteers  

As part of our commitment to continual improvement, we’re embracing this year’s World Quality Week theme – Quality: thinking differently – by reimagining how we support, engage with and recognise our volunteers. 

Our volunteers play a vital role in delivering quality excellence, and by thinking differently about how we help them connect, communicate and thrive, we’re strengthening these relationships and celebrating their outstanding contributions in more meaningful ways. 

We encourage volunteers to share their experience and journey with colleagues, friends and networks – there’s no better way to create a sense of community than through shared experiences.  

Samantha McLean-Gunn, Professional Networks Manager, CQI 

Our annual Volunteering Impact Award, one of the International Quality Awards categories, recognises the volunteering activities that have significantly impacted the CQI, its members and/or the broader quality profession. We encourage our volunteers to enter as it’s an ideal opportunity for individuals or networks to profile their impact.

For the first time this year, we invite CQI and IRCA members to participate in the judging process by casting their votes to help determine the award winner, announced at Quality Live.

Building a global community 

CQI volunteers cultivate a sense of community with our members and among their own networks. They support one another through shared interests whether that be sector- or topic-specific, or geographical. They discuss common challenges and successes in their profession sharing best practice and advice.  

Regardless of geographical location, expertise or career stage, we encourage our members to be part of our volunteering community that supports them to learn, grow and give back to the profession. There are plenty of ways our members can get involved – we love welcoming new volunteers to our growing networks. 

Everyone that I have met so far has been very friendly, supportive, knowledgeable and welcoming. One of the greatest advantages of this volunteering experience is the opportunity to learn from others and expand my network.   

Renielly Elena Camacho De Freitas, former volunteer, CQI Deming Network 

Thinking differently to work better together   

This year, as we implement changes in how our networks operate, we encourage our volunteers to think differently about the role networks play in providing CPD to our members. A new, flexible approach to our networks’ governance and structure will deliver enhanced value for our global members and foster greater engagement and connection.  

Here’s how we’re thinking differently this year: 

• in our roles: flexible roles with clearer guidance on expectations 
• in our language: updating language and terminology to align our networks 
• in our governance: with a new agile and flexible structure for our networks  
• in our activities: new types of activity that networks produce (podcasts, video content) 

Our volunteers’ feedback and input will help drive these changes to deliver what matters, driving real impact across the quality profession. We look forward to this year bringing continued collaboration and engagement as we start implementing the new structure. 

Thank you 

On behalf of the Professional Networks Team, I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside our networks and support all their amazing work; the passion is inspiring. I have enjoyed getting to know our volunteers not just on a professional level, but personally and feel proud to be part of this community. Thank you.