National Volunteer Week

Our volunteers host as wide ranging mix of events, workshops, talks and exhibitions. These are hosted online and in person, maybe there is something of interest for you?

Name: Carol Olerud FRPS

Volunteer Role: Benelux Chapter Organiser

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

That’s a good question. I like being part of a community of English speakers who have the same interest – photography. I love photography, I enjoy organising events, meetings, workshops and the activities we do. Hosting Zoom sessions goes very well, I like to talk to people, ask questions and give them a platform to share any photo projects, or distinctions they are working towards. I like to have fun and photography is a great way to express yourself, be it artistically, story-telling, aesthetically or whatever. Learning from each other and helping and encouraging people in their photography journey. I gained my Associate in 2018 and my Fellowship in 2021, giving back to the Benelux Chapter and the RPS makes me happy.

Name: Patricia A Ruddle ARPS

Volunteer role: Contemporary Group - North Local Organiser 

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I cannot remember when I wasn’t a member of the RPS, supporting various volunteer positions. Why volunteer? Firstly, I have an immense appreciation of the Society which has existed for more than a century, and its position in the photographic world. I suggest that its original aims of promoting the art and science continue to be important.  I don’t belong to any other photographic group which means that I depend on the RPS and the various talks, events, Regions, and SIGs to provide me with everything photographic.

At the moment I organise Contemporary North on behalf of the Contemporary Group. My aim is to support my fellow members, which in turn gives me the enormous advantage of seeing, learning, developing my own practice.

Name: Justin Cliffe APRS

Volunteer Role: Travel Group Treasurer

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

Being part of a group who share my interest in travel and photography and, to the extent that I’m able, to contribute to the RPS’ activities, having benefitted from them in the past. The group was looking for a Treasurer and, having previous experience of being a Treasurer with another SIG, I was able to fill this position. As I’m retired, I wanted to “give something back” to an organisation I want to support.

Name: Janet Haines ARPS

Volunteer Role: Digital Imaging Group Chair

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I enjoy working with a team of highly skilled, enthusiastic, lovely individuals to deliver products and services for member benefit. It keeps me active and engaged with society.

Name: Ann Miles FRPS

Volunteer role: Nature Group Programme Co-ordinator

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I like to meet new people, who care about the environment and have a passion for photography, and to share with them my knowledge and enthusiasm for Natural History. It is particularly rewarding when participants who might arrive on a field trip with many worries and problems both physical and mental, unwind and find new energy and enthusiasm sharing our exploration of the natural world with our cameras. We have all, I am sure, made lots of new friends through the Nature Group and some of the thank you emails are reward enough for the efforts.

Name: Katherine Maguire ARPS

Volunteer Role: Benelux Chapter Web Editor

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

Since I stopped working due to long term illness, volunteering for the RPS Benelux Chapter has helped me fill part of the gap that developed,  As a former software engineer I had the skills that could be used to help the Chapter and I was able to do that for Pelt weekend / Mindful photography workshop in September 2023, as both webmaster and eJournal editor. 

Posting pre- and post-event, the details on website and in eJournal has made me feel useful again.  Volunteering has also allowed me to express my creative side, posting attendee’s images to website gallery and with the provided text and 2 photos of the ugly object and colour assignments, an article for the eJournal.  For me it is important for my mental health that I am to keep busy and volunteering for the Chapter helps me with that.

Name: John Speller

Volunteer Role: Travel Group Secretary

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I recognise that the majority of the activities of the RPS are organised by volunteers throughout the country and would not happen in the absence of volunteer input. I am happy to contribute in whatever way is required, and have the time to bring those activities to a successful outcome.