Volunteer Opportunities with the CA Profession

Provincial Institute

Volunteers are the lifeline of the Institute. All members throughout the province from all occupational sectors are encouraged to volunteer. The committee term is for a three year term from June 2012 to May 2015. Members maybe appointed to a specific committee for a total of nine years for regulatory committees and three years for other committees. To minimize volunteer time, committees meet by conference call when possible. Council will finalize committee membership in early May.

 If you are interested in volunteering on one of the Institute committees, please complete the volunteer form and forward it to Michelle Reimer at the Institute via email of fax (306) 569-8288.

National Institute

 Getting Involved with the CICA

One of the CICA's most valuable resources is the talent and experience of its volunteers.

Volunteers serve on boards, committees, task forces, study groups and advisory groups.  They contribute their knowledge, ability, insight and awareness of trends and issues facing the profession.  Most volunteers serve for two years or more, however the term can vary from a few months to a few years, depending on the committee.

Volunteers selected for the Standards area normally already participate in the process of setting accounting, auditing and assurance standards in the public or private sectors.  New appointments are made based on selection criteria that include the individual's experience, technical competency, availablity, and previous involvement in a standards activity.  Members who have not been involved in standards are urged to commence their participation by responding to exposure drafts and other documents for comment.

The number of committees at the CICA varies slightly from year-to-year as projects are approved and compeleted.

Over 95% of our volunteers told us they were pleased with the experience and felt they had benefited personally from it.  Volunteers agreed they had broadened their network of contacts and felt that the work they did as volunteers was meaningful to the CA profession.  Virtually all CICA volunteers felt they had made a significant contribution to the profession and 98% said they would volunteer again.

Becoming a CICA Volunteer

If you are interested in more information about volunteer opportunities with the CICA, please contact Jan Burns, Manager, Volunteer Resources via email or phone (416) 204-3348.

Volunteer Testimonials

As a Member in Education Industry & Government (MEIGs) member, ICAS committee involvement has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of my career. It created relationships with other CA's that benefited both me and my employer. Though necessitating some work, committee activities provided a break from the normal grind. It made me a more rounded CA.
Lynn Shepherd, FCA 
Current ICAS Committee Volunteer

"I have only been a volunteer on an ICAS committee for two years, but I have enjoyed it very much and plan to continue. The committee has introduced me to professional peers that I may not have met otherwise. I have developed a better understanding of what the institute does and how it operates through the committee. I feel that my contribution to the committee and to ICAS is valued. I know that supporting my profession is the only way to ensure that it can continue on as a self-regulating profession. I would encourage other CAs to volunteer their time to our profession."
Debbie Funk, CA
Current ICAS Committee Volunteer

It was Robert Fulghum who wrote the book “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” In it he talked of life lessons learned at a young age, and it’s true that kindergarten can set you upon your life’s path.

My kindergarten teacher spoke at our Grade 12 graduation and reminded us of our goals and aspirations. Some wanted to be firemen, policemen, cowboys and mommies…and mine? Well mine was to be a businessman so I could be rich! At the time I thought being rich would solve all the problems I could understand. Well, since I work in the public service, I guess achieving that goal will be harder than I thought. However, I came across a richness in my life that is far different from what I understood it to be all those years ago. There is also a richness in giving back to your profession and to your community.

I have received far more from the organizations I have been involved in than I have ever given. Giving back to my profession hasn’t felt like work at all. Our profession is blessed with a wealth of talent and expertise… drawn from every corner of our Province. These are people from different walks of life, who bring a wide range of skills and a depth of knowledge that has ensured we maintain a great reputation in our communities.

Sure we have a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, but that is not what makes our profession great. It is our the ability to use that knowledge, to use those skills to make our society a bit better to add a richness and diversity that wasn’t there before and I have been privileged to soak all of this in. It is these experiences that provide a richer and fuller life and make me better.  So, I guess I have been lucky to achieve those riches I spoke of in kindergarten. In a way Fulghum was right…
Garth Herbert, FCA
Current ICAS Committee Volunteer

I got involved with the Institute almost immediately after having attained my designation. I have been, and continue to be involved with several different committees and with Council. Initially, I was concerned that my inexperience would be a detriment but soon found that volunteers have to start somewhere and that the composition of the volunteer group always considered this, with a balance of member representation.

Being able to help make a difference to the profession, to make new friends and acquaintences, to widen my professional network and to gain better insight to the challenges facing the profession were some of the many benefits I feel I have gotten from my time volunteering for ICAS. In fact I continue to do so today and strongly encourage anyone who is considering this contribution to take the plunge. You won't regret it!
Cary Hewitt, FCA 
Past President/Current ICAS Committee Volunteer

Excerpts from Cathy Warner, FCA speech at the FCA Gala regarding encouraging volunteerism among the younger generation.

I am very concerned about the apparent waning of the spirit of volunteerism. 

Obviously there remain great leaders in our profession and our communities, but they are fewer and further between. 

I know some would say that it is time for the younger generation to step up but that they don’t have the same desire to be involved. 

Maybe

There may be some validity to that argument I think really the world has just changed. 

You can talk to someone who is 20 and someone who is 50, ask they how they are doing and they will both tell you that they are “busy”.  “Too Busy”.  Everyone is “busy”.  The world moves faster, the CA training is different.  CASB takes an extra 20 hrs a week, 8 weeks at a time.  Most family units have both working.   The world has simply changed. 

Instead I thought of something else perhaps you would join me in.

So, I thought, as old people, we should have our own pledge.  As people who are committed to our profession and/or our communities please rise and join me

I ____name____, do declare that I will remain committed to my profession and my community

a)      Always use my experience to help mentor the next generation
b)      Never use my position of influence to invite only my friends or other experienced colleagues to join me in an opportunity to contribute to our profession or community
c)       Always due my utmost to involve someone at least 15 years younger than me in all volunteer endeavors I am involved with
d)      At all times, be mindful of the changes in our world, be patient when the younger generation hesitates to be involved; and help infuse my own passion for volunteerism