Meet the volunteer: Denise Morrison

Tell us about your professional background?

I am a Chartered Quality Professional with over 10 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry, and I am skilled in gas, petroleum and energy industry, subsea engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) and inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) projects. I have worked with a wide range of operators in surface and subsea project work, allowing me to gain experience of their respective requirements and overarching codes and specifications.

My project exposure has been on a wide variety of work scopes, with procurement support experience on a variety of procured packages, worldwide, including commodity, service and equipment hire provision. I have working experience of quality control (QC), testing and analysis, and quality management in malting and distilling (in the drinks industry) and senior public sector services quality management.

Which branch/SIG/committee are you a member of and where are you based?

I am involved with the CQI North of Scotland Branch, based in Aberdeen. I have been a CQI volunteer for two years.

What inspired you to volunteer with the CQI?

I had been attending the branch events and getting to know the regulars – some of whom were Committee members – so getting more involved seemed like a natural progression.

I became a volunteer because I wanted to give something back, and being a volunteer has met my expectations

How did you become a volunteer?

The Secretary post became available, and some of the members of the Committee approached me and asked if I would like to take this up. I have been Secretary now for two years. I publicise events on LinkedIn and feedback information to the CQI. Of course, everyone is so busy with their day to day jobs; the most difficult part about the role is finding time to do this extra work.

What is the most rewarding part of volunteering with the CQI?

I think it is seeing the increase in the number of members. We also have some really excellent presentations at branch events, and I do enjoy those. I became a volunteer because I wanted to give something back, and being a volunteer has met my expectations. This extended network has also proved supportive to me on more than one occasion.

What has been the highlight of your volunteer experience so far?

The visit from the CQI Professional Networks Manager, Caroline Whitson, last year was extremely useful. It was good to chat to the person on the other end of the e-mail address.

What are the challenges of being a volunteer?

I think the people who volunteer better appreciate the professional body and the role it plays in setting standards and providing context. Everyone is so busy, but they still give up their time. It is always difficult to get volunteers and it can be difficult to manage a handover when a new Committee member comes on board, for example, because people have busy schedules and are not always available.

Would you recommend others to become a volunteer? If so, why?

I would really recommend becoming a volunteer, because it exposes you to all aspects of membership of the CQI, such as branch events and other CQI activities.