Ahmed Minhas - 19 April 2021

 

Make your CIM membership even more rewarding

Ask any CIM volunteer about their experience and they will have something positive to say, whether it was because they met new people and built a network, challenged themselves and learned something new, or gained a feeling of self-fulfillment and belonging to a community.

As a not-for-profit organization, CIM depends on its volunteers to build a safe, inclusive and diverse community in the extractive industries. CIM has 31 branches, 11 societies and 10 committees. Each one is led by and made up of volunteers. Even our events, including the CIM Convention + Expo, would not be the world-renowned events that they are without the support of our volunteers.

There are a number of ways one can volunteer with CIM. Whether you are a student, recent graduate, geologist, mining engineer or a retired professional, there is always an opportunity to be part of the community.

Join a branch, society or committee: Make an impact at the local level by joining a branch. CIM’s branches can be found in every province from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Branches focus on bringing the local mining community together to share ideas, discuss innovations, plan events and network with each other. It’s all about community! Knowledge of the mining indus try is not a prerequisite.

CIM’s 11 societies are focused on the technical aspect of the extractive industries. They plan conferences, publish technical papers, host workshops, and build and share knowledge and expertise. The Metallurgy and Materials Society (MetSoc), for example, deals with research, development and application of the science and technologies behind metals and materials. Meanwhile, the Management and Economics Society (MES) is concerned about economics, finance and management relating to the industry.

CIM has 10 committees that play a vital role. Their leader- ship efforts, governance, guidelines and technical expertise advise the CIM Council, and make an impact on the organization, its members and the mining community at large. They pro- mote diversity and inclusion, review technical papers and help develop the standards and guidelines adopted by mining companies and securities regulators.

Become a mentor: CIM is a strong supporter of students and recent graduates and wants them to succeed in the industry. The CIM Mentorship Program connects students and recent graduates with a mentor for advice and guidance in their studies and career. Mentors do not need to be CIM National mem bers and the time commitment is only a few hours a week.

“Working with our mentors and mentees has been an amazing experience. Seeing how eager our senior professionals in this industry are to devote their time as a volunteer to help students and young professionals is heartwarming. It is a constant reminder to me how powerful and tight-knit our community is,” said Tenisha Valliant, CIM membership development strategist and lead of the Mentorship Program.

Connor Hameliy, a student at Queen’s University, was instrumental in starting a mentorship program at his institution to help new mining engineering students. “I decided to become involved after receiving a positive and fulfilling experience with the CIM Mentorship Program upon its inception,” said Hameliy. “From this opportunity, and with the support of the Queen’s Mining Society, we launched our own mentorship program to provide guidance and support for new students entering our program.”

Start or join a student chapter: CIM student chapters take education beyond the classroom. At mining engineering schools across Canada, they are a hub for students to connect and network with each other, plan events to further their knowledge of the industry and develop leadership skills. CIM student members can join an already established student chapter or start their own if their institution does not have one.

Volunteer at an event: While COVID-19 has cancelled in-person events in Canada, virtual events are going strong. In the past (and soon in the future, fingers crossed!), students and local volunteers have helped out at the CIM Convention to guide delegates and help with registration. Virtually, volunteers help to moderate events and chair technical programs of conferences and symposiums.

Dylan Shacker, secretary of the Underground Mining Society (UMS) and sponsorship coordinator of the Saskatoon Branch, started his journey at CIM by volunteering at the CIM Convention.

“I had been a member of CIM for some time and valued the educational, networking and career opportunities it provided. I was looking for ways to stay involved in the mining industry while looking for work and volunteering with CIM seemed a logical fit while also providing support to an organization I valued,” said Shacker. “Volunteers and staff are welcoming of anybody, provided they are keen to get involved. After you take that first step and get started, there will be opportunities for deeper involvement and more responsibility if you desire it.”

Katherine Ray, secretary of the South Central BC Branch and chair of the 2019 MEMO Conference, has found great value as a CIM volunteer. “It has been a great way to meet people in the industry and has opened up my network immensely. As people start seeing you engaging in the industry, it opens a door in your professional life,” said Ray. “On top of all this, I have found some great friends that I would not have otherwise.”

If you’re interested in making your experience as a CIM member more rewarding and fulfilling, become a volunteer. Visit cim.org/opportunities/volunteer to learn more.