The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) has over 2,800 UK members, representing all aspects of the minerals extractive and quarrying industries from health and safety to geology, explosives and sustainability.
What is really important to understand is that as an IQ member you are more than just a number, you are in fact part of the organisation.
Membership offers the chance to influence and shape the future direction of our industry by volunteering and adding your voice to presentations, factsheets and blogs. Also on IQ’s council, various committees and as board members.
IQ members also benefit from career development opportunities with access to valuable continuing professional development (CPD) resources, internationally-recognised qualifications and a network of professionals sharing accumulated knowledge and good practice.
Improving our skills is critical to increasing prosperity in the UK, as well as delivering considerable benefits to society as a whole , which is why knowledge sharing is a key part of the IQ community.
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge.
As an institute, we are always looking for ways that our members can get more involved in what we do to help us deliver on our core purpose, which is to promote the positive impact of the industry, the career opportunities available and support professionals working within quarrying.
The IQ exists because of its members’ passion and enthusiasm for wanting to make a difference, helping their colleagues and improving industry standards. What members may not appreciate is that there are a variety of opportunities to get involved.
Informal volunteering activities cover a wide spectrum, from delivering presentations and developing factsheets to helping raise awareness of the mineral extractives sector for future generations.
Sharing knowledge and skills through informal openings is a great way to demonstrate to employers your professionalism, which could lead to greater career opportunities.
Deliver presentations: If you have been involved in a project that has made a difference to your site and want to share what you’ve learnt, consider presenting findings at a branch event, give a virtual site tour or examples of restoration work.
Contribute to IQ’s ‘Spotlight on Excellence’: As part of our initiative to acknowledge the achievements and successes of individuals, teams and projects making a difference to the mineral products sector, we’re inviting members to contribute towards our ‘Spotlight on Excellence’ campaign.
Join our Quarry Faces: We’re always eager to hear about career pathways and progression in the industry. Submit a personal case study and it will be part of our ‘Quarry Faces’ campaign, featured on the website and used as part of our initiative to promote the benefits of working in mineral extractives.
Develop factsheets: Factsheets are short documents that provide an overview on a specific subject with links to further guidance and information. Aligned to the IQ Skills Wheel, you can cover anything from how to deliver a presentation and the importance of employee engagement, through to practical advice on dust suppression.
The governance structure at IQ is built around the participation of members. Opportunities to join the Board of Trustees, Council and various committees are available for individuals to get more involved in what the organisation does and boost their personal and career profile.
Board of Trustees: The role of the Board is to ensure IQ makes the long-term decisions that keep our industry sustainable. It is responsible for strategic and financial planning as well as decision-making to enable IQ to achieve its primary objectives:
As a board member, you have the influence to shape the future direction of the IQ, the career path of its members, as well as the country's major mineral extraction companies.
Board members are voted in through an election by those holding an MIQ or FIQ membership grade. It is managed by the Chair - currently Viv Russell FIQ, MD Longcliffe - and supported by the Deputy Chair - currently Ben Williams FIQ, EPC-UK. Each of these posts are held for two years.
The natural progression of board members is to take up the role of IQ President, an honorary position which is held for two years, currently Martin Riley FIQ, CRH. In order to be President, members will have also been Deputy Chair and Chair of the Board.
There are also opportunities to join the IQ Benevolent Fund (IQBF) Board of Trustees, which oversees IQ’s charitable purposes.
Council: The role of the Council is to support the Board of Trustees and represent the voice of members in developing ideas and projects for the future. Council members come from all parts of the membership community. The Deputy Chairman manages the thrice-yearly Council meetings.
Committees: The Professional Standards Committee (PSC) and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (FARC) also support the Board of Trustees. Their role is to help reduce risks whilst enabling the organisation to grow. These groups will advise and make recommendations to the Board on activities specifically designated to its areas of responsibility.
Regional branch committees: It’s impossible to talk about the value of volunteering without mentioning the heart of our network, the IQ regional branches. Each branch has its own committee structure with official posts of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The central purpose for these passionate volunteers is to organise activities and events for the benefit of members.
Branch representatives also have a seat on the Council; being part of a local branch is a doorway into the involvement of wider IQ activities.
All of these groups are critical to the success of IQ. Each has a key role to play in making sure the needs of members are served using the best use of resources available.
Peter Williamson FIQ is Business Systems Director at Knights Brown Construction Ltd. He cemented his career in quarrying and minerals extractives fresh out of university in 2002 before crossing over to the world of civil engineering. As an IQ member for 17 years, he is also a proud volunteer trustee. He explains:
“IQ is more than a membership organisation. It’s a family with over 100 years of history to be proud of. The network of members and associates spans the globe and we look after each other because we know what we do matters.
“Alongside my own professional development, I am a proud volunteer trustee of IQ’s Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. It’s about giving something back to an industry that has been kind to me, providing me with a career and direction that have led me to where I am today. I hope to continue using my experience for the benefit of others wherever I can add value.”
If you would like to enquire about the many volunteering opportunities that are available, or express an interest in joining council or IQ committees, get in touch with Louise White on louise.white@quarrying.org or call 0115 972 9995.