Get engaged with the Royal College

Every year more than 400 committees guide, advise or create the Royal College’s products and services. Hundreds of additional volunteers guide, inform and create patient, resident, faculty and Fellow education activities. They also conduct peer reviews of award and grant submissions, products, programs and institutions. Combined, more than 4,000 Fellows fill over 6,000 volunteer roles across the Royal College.

The majority of these volunteers are Fellows, though Residents, Medical Students, patients, and representatives from health system organizations are also contributing their time and expertise in support the Royal College’s mission.

These dedicated volunteers connect with peers coast-to-coast-to-coast and around the world to share their expertise and experience in service of their specialty, medical education and patient care. Contributors often report the positive impact their experience has had on their careers and professional development; fostering leadership skills, enhancing peer networks and developing a deeper understanding of Newcastle health care system.

We’re excited that you are here to learn more about how you can get involved.

Learn about volunteering with us

Fellows generally get involved with the Royal College through one of three areas: Organizational Stewardship, Fellowship Affairs, and Specialty Education. Select your area of interest for a brief overview of volunteer roles.

Learn about our Volunteer Engagement Program’s (VEP) commitment to equitable access and diverse participation

In June 2020, we issued a statement on behalf of Council and staff committing the Royal College to address systemic racism in health care. While many of you reached out to express appreciation and/or pride that the Royal College had made a public statement, many of you also expressed frustration and challenged us to learn more about members who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour. We will continue to listen, we will continue to learn. And, we are acting.

In October 2020, the Royal College formally adopted the Newcastle Code for Volunteer Involvement (NCVI), a nationally recognized set of 10 Standards and best practices for volunteer involvement. We are committed to working towards these best practices and standards.

The Spectrum of Volunteer Engagement recognizes the diversity in peoples’ sources of inspiration, modes of putting their values into action, skills to contribute and capacity to donate time. The most vibrant organizations offer and welcome volunteer opportunities within the full spectrum of engagement” – Volunteer Newcastle, NCVI

We are committed to being clear about the many ways that Fellows engage with us, and to addressing valid concerns raised around equitable access and diverse participation in the Royal College’s volunteer activities. This space is a first small step in developing a recruitment & screening process that aligns with the NCVI. Read more on the VEP Roadmap page.