Join your local Regional Committee or Graduate & Student Committee and lead ICE’s programme in your area, or join a Knowledge Network and become closely involved in a particular aspect of ICE business.
ICE is governed by a Trustee Board which is responsible for the institution’s strategic decision-making. The Trustees are supported by Council, which approves the Trustee Board members and are themselves directly elected by the members.
Council provide the overall direction on ICE priorities for the year, which are delivered by ICE staff and our dedicated regional and international volunteers.
ICE has over 95,000 members living and working in over 50 countries. We are structured around 12 UK and 8 international regions.
Members from around the world join local committees and interest groups, working closely with ICE staff, to plan and deliver our programme in their area.
Alongside our Regional Committees, each UK region runs an active Graduate and Student Committee. These are a great way for our members who are preparing for professional qualification to get involved in ICE activities.
They organise a full programme of events aimed at helping fellow graduate and student members prepare for professional qualification as well as social events. International members can join their local Student Chapter.
Three ways you can get involved
By joining your local Regional Committee, you will play a role in helping to shape the regional programme and could help organise or take part in a range of activities. Working with the Regional Support Team in your area, you could find yourself involved in:
- Organising member events – both technical meetings and networking activities
- Organising public engagement events
- Securing sponsorship and award entries
- Organising competitions and judging awards
- Guiding and supporting our work with schools and colleges
- Liaising with other professional groups
- Supporting the ICE President’s visit to your region
By joining your local Graduate and Student Committee you will be involved in a vibrant community who helps other early career members by organising:
- Talks, workshops and written exercise group sessions to help prepare for Professional Reviews
- Interesting technical meetings, courses and lectures to broaden members knowledge
- Social events which also allow networking and knowledge-sharing with other members
Most Graduate and Student Committees also play an active role in developing and delivering the ICE programme of activities to inspire the next generation of civil engineers (see Chapter 3 for more information).
Committee members commit to attending most committee meetings, which depending on your region, may take place quarterly or monthly. Most regions now offer the option to join meetings remotely, some alternating between in-person and online meetings.
Depending on the amount of time members have to devote to their committee duties and the role they take, contributions can vary from inputting ideas and contacts to taking a more active role in organising or promoting events. You will work closely with other committee members and your local ICE Regional Director and their team.
Our members around the world elect ICE's Council. We hold elections every year when about one third of Council seats are available. These places are usually for a three-year term, to replace members whose term of service has finished.
The Council Elections, which take place in June each year, are your opportunity to choose the right people for our Council. We need visionary thinkers to help us achieve our long-term ambitions that benefit society.
By standing to join Council or by voting you are playing an important part in the running of your institution.
ICE also facilitates membership panels that oversee activities such as the qualifications process and professional conduct.
Our Communities of Practice (COPs) are member-led and seek to build and exchange knowledge around areas of shared professional interest. The COPs cover a range of ICE activities promoting learning and best practice such as the Walking & Cycling; Community Engagement and, Safety, Health & Wellbeing COPs.
All members are encouraged to consider joining a COP. Keep an eye out on the ICE website and newsletter for details of new and emerging COPs.
Become a mentor and share your knowledge
ICE’s mentoring search service offers two platforms available exclusively to ICE members. They are designed to match members looking for mentors to help them during the initial professional development (IPD) stage of their membership journey, and for those seeking general career mentoring.
Want to get started volunteering?
To get involved with your local ICE region or if you would like to join a committee or panel, get in touch with your local ICE Regional Support Team regional office.
