By Konstantina Achilleos
- Communications Officer at SELK
Volunteering is one of the most meaningful forms of active participation in the community. We usually associate it with social solidarity, charitable work, or supporting people in need. Its meaning, however, is much broader. Volunteering also involves dedicating time, knowledge, and professional experience to addressing issues that affect the economy, institutions, and society as a whole.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
This particular form of service is especially valuable, as it allows people with specialized knowledge to make a meaningful contribution to public discourse and to the development of better policies and practices. This is a form of volunteerism that is not always visible, but has a real and measurable impact.
At the Cyprus Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA), this value is put into practice every day through the work of its committees. The IAC’s committees are primarily staffed by practicing accountants and other professionals who, despite the increased demands of their work and personal lives, voluntarily offer their time and expertise. Committee members examine complex issues, exchange views, evaluate developments, and prepare well-documented recommendations. Through this collective effort, they help shape positions that concern not only the accounting profession but also the economy, public administration, business, and society at large.
A notable recent example is the active participation of the relevant SELK committee in the process of shaping tax reform. Its members studied the proposed changes and submitted well-documented recommendations, bringing the practical experience of market professionals into the public discourse. This contribution represents volunteer work with a significant institutional and social impact. A modern, fair, and functional tax system does not concern only accountants or businesses. It affects growth, employment, competitiveness, social justice, and, ultimately, the daily lives of every citizen.
At the same time, the SELK committees carry out significant educational activities by organizing events, discussions, and training seminars aimed at both Association members and the broader professional community.
One such example is the event organized by the Public Sector Committee on the topic “The Code of Public Governance and Its Implementation.” Through such initiatives, members’ voluntary contributions are transformed into shared knowledge, fruitful dialogue, and a strengthening of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Another example is the work of the SELK Committee of Chief Financial Officers, which evolved into the ICPAC CFO Society, and offers Association members the opportunity to have free access to the Mentoring Program. This program consists of volunteer mentors who provide guidance to members who need their knowledge and experience.
This contribution, however, does not have to end with one’s professional career. On the contrary, the post-retirement period can mark the beginning of a new, creative journey. New retirees possess valuable experience, maturity, professional judgment, and in-depth knowledge of their field. None of this is lost on the day of retirement, and it should not go to waste. Their participation in volunteer activities can offer multiple benefits. They themselves remain active, creative, and in meaningful contact with the people around them, while younger professionals gain access to experiences and knowledge that aren’t always conveyed through textbooks, academic studies, or formal training programs. At the same time, organizations and society benefit from people who can serve as mentors, advisors, and valuable sources of knowledge and experience.
An excellent example from SELK is that of the Chairman of the Committee of Chief Financial Officers. Although he has retired, he has not stepped away from active service. Instead, he spearheaded the effort to establish the ICPAC CFO Society, an initiative that aims to bring financial directors closer together, strengthen the exchange of knowledge and experience, and create a meaningful space for networking, collaboration, and professional dialogue. His example proves that retirement does not mean the end of creativity, action, or leadership. It can mark the beginning of new initiatives of significant value to younger professionals, the profession, and society.
To encourage more new retirees to engage in volunteer work, it is not enough simply to ask them to contribute. We need to provide them with meaningful opportunities for participation that match their knowledge, experience, and interests. They need roles with real substance, but also the necessary flexibility, so that volunteering is a source of satisfaction rather than just another obligation. It is equally important that they feel their contribution is recognized and appreciated.
Retirement does not mean that a person ceases to have ideas, knowledge, or a willingness to contribute. On the contrary, it can be a new period of creativity and engagement. Through volunteering, the experience gained over an entire career can be put to good use, supporting younger people and contributing to society. What matters is that there are appropriate opportunities and space for this kind of contribution.
A professional career may come to an end with retirement. However, a person’s knowledge, experience, and ability to create and contribute have no expiration date.
