Become a member
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Volunteer with a Group

Groups concentrate on one area of photography and imaging from Analogue to Visual Art. There really is something for everyone. Members can choose to join as many groups as they like. Volunteers in groups have a passion for the particular area they volunteer in and offer events connected to that field.

If you would like to volunteer for a group please get in touch with the Group Chair through the webpage below.

Main committee roles

  1. Group Chair - Responsible for leading and representing the Group
  2. Secretary - General admin, e.g. meetings, minutes, supporting the Chair and committee
  3. Finance Officer - Responsible for keeping financial records and accounts
  4. Communications Officer - Creation of group communications and maintaining the web page
  5. Engagement & Events Officer - Curation and looking after the groups event programme
  6. Ordinary Committee Member - Up to two volunteers, the specific role will be defined by the group committee
  7. Other - Ad hoc tasks as required, e.g. helping to set up a venue, offering or supporting an event etc.

See our groups

Meet the Volunteers

Mark

Meet Mark

Name: Mark A Phillips

Volunteer Role: Chair, Documentary Group

What attracted you to volunteering for the RPS? Having been a member of the RPS for many years, I felt it was time to give something back, but also in a way where I could help take a group forward. 

What do you enjoy most about your role? I’m fortunate to have a good team of volunteers, both in the regional sub-groups and the main committee.  The small team produces an excellent online magazine (Decisive Moment), newsletters, online and major competitions and local events.  We have also started to work on developing the group to reflect current day practice and engage with external groups to help inform and to provide different approaches.  We plan to continue this, with a range of activities and workshops focussed on documentary practice. 

What advice would you have for anyone who may be considering volunteering for the RPS?  I have been on club committees in the past and vowed never to do anything like that ever again. But this is different. It is not like a local camera club, the RPS remit is much wider.  Do it because you really want to, and because you believe you can make a difference. I believed it was important to help take RPS Documentary forward, to develop its reputation, and to engage with the wider documentary photography community. 

North Meeting

Meet Patricia

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.