ASSOCIATION NEWS

BPCA was delighted to be recognised at the Association Excellence Awards for our work on membership engagement. 

The Awards are held to recognise and reward the achievements of trade bodies, professionals, membership organisations and associations.

BPCA bagged a bronze trophy for Best Membership Engagement, for our work in transforming volunteer engagement. 

Rosina Robson, BPCA's Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We're absolutely delighted to have won this recognition, especially in a category with such a strong shortlist of entries.

"We know that BPCA is owned by its members, so it is important for us to make sure that we centre member voices in everything we do. 

"Our work to transform how we involve volunteers in decision-making and strategy at BPCA is about giving those volunteers an opportunity to engage on a much deeper level, and help steer projects that will benefit members and the wider pest management community.

"A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers, who give up their time and share their expertise with us; this award belongs to you too."

What did we do?

In 2024, we overhauled the way we engage our volunteer committees, moving from a passive, staff-led model to one rooted in collaboration.

Historically, meetings centred around updates and feedback. But we knew our members could offer much more. Our goal was simple: unlock their full potential and make them true partners in BPCA’s strategic direction.

We introduced an engagement model, assigning each committee a strategic project to lead over the course of a year. An annual activity cycle, pre-meeting reports, open agenda questions and structured workshops created space for creativity and ownership.

The headline initiative was our first-ever Volunteer Days: a two-day in-person event filled with strategic workshops, social time and genuine energy.

The results have been outstanding. Committees pitched projects directly to our Executive Board for the first time. Collaboration outside meetings has grown, and volunteer satisfaction has risen. The initiative has already shaped key strategic areas like sustainability and training.

The judges commented: 

"This was a great example of harnessing the energy of volunteers and utilising them to their best effect. 

"BPCA didn't just improve volunteer engagement—they revolutionised it. They transformed volunteers from passive consultees to active co-creators, achieved measurable satisfaction improvements, delivered strategic impact, and created a sustainable model that other associations can learn from.

"This represents membership engagement excellence that truly empowers members to shape their industry's future.

BE PART OF IT

Want to join our growing community of volunteers? Take a look at our groups and committees to find out where your skills fit best.

bpca.org.uk/committees-and-groups

Source: Online