How to get more involved with the work of the BIID

Members are the heart of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and the organisation would not exist without their hard work, dedication, and expertise. The BIID is run by a democratically elected Council of directors who are supported by a network of committees, panels, and working parties. Members of any membership type, duration of membership, or experience level are welcomed and encouraged to get involved with volunteering.

Committees:

Committees tend to meet 3-4 times per year, either in person or virtually. 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee:

The remit of this committee is to oversee the organisation of regular CPD events including lectures, seminars and tours; To oversee the BIID CPD Providers Directory, including reviewing entry criteria (the assessment of potential BIID accredited CPD Providers is undertaken by members of the CPD Assessment Panel; To oversee the development of any online CPD; To review the Institute’s annual CPD requirement.

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Committee:

The remit of this committee is to develop an Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy to layout areas for long term action; Oversee any research conducted by the BIID into D&I; liaise with the CPD committee to ensure D&I is included in the CPD calendar; consider how the BIID can ensure that individuals have equal access to train as interior designers and equal opportunity to progress and succeed in their chosen profession; consider how a commitment to D&I can be incorporated into our partnerships with external tradeshows, exhibitions, events and suppliers; Consider how the BIID can collaborate with other organisations, charities and social enterprises working to improve Diversity and Inclusion in interior design.

Membership Committee:

The remit of this committee is to review the entry criteria for all membership categories; Review membership fees on an annual basis; Review the benefits offered to members to ensure they are relevant, appropriate, and valued; Research new potential membership benefits; Oversee membership networking events.

Professional Practice Committee:

The remit of this committee is: To oversee the operation and development of the BIID Professional Pathway, the route from graduation to becoming a BIID Registered Interior Designer®; To review, and if necessary, update the BIID Code of Conduct and Complaints Procedure; To respond to government and industry consultations on behalf of the Institute, as and when they arise (and as appropriate), to ensure the views of professional interior designers are adequately represented at this level; To oversee strategic work on policy and professional practice as required.

Sustainability Committee

The remit of this committee is: To oversee the BIID's work on sustainable interior design practice; To collaborate with other committees to ensure sustainability is included in the BIID's membership entry requirements, Code of Conduct, training and public facing content; To develop relationships with other likeminded organisations working towards a more sustainable built environment; To oversee strategic work on sustainability issues as required. 

Panels:

The Institute currently has 2 standing Panels. Members of Panels do not sit regularly as a group, rather they are called on as needed in the following way:

• CPD Assessment Panel: Members are called as needed to assess content for the CPD Providers Directory.
• Professional Standards Panel: Members are called as needed to sit on a Disciplinary Hearing following a complaint against a member.

Working Parties:

Working parties are convened on an ad hoc basis, usually to develop and then launch a specific event, campaign, or initiative. Volunteering opportunities with a working party are usually announced via the BIID newsletter.

Mentoring:

We offer a telephone mentoring programme whereby experienced Registered Interior Designers offer mentoring to our Associate and Provisional Associate members, to assist them on their pathway to becoming professional and competent interior designers.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please drop us a line at info@biid.org.uk for further information.