Get involved: Join an IRE Committee

Have you always wanted to know more about how IRE works — and how you can help? Now is your chance.

IRE is seeking volunteers for its committees, which work on a wide range of important tasks, from recommending speakers for conferences and brainstorming ways to better serve members to increasing diversity in the organization and improving the website.

To serve, you just need to be a member of IRE and have a passion for helping your colleagues.

If you're interested, please fill out this Google form by Friday, July 19.

The IRE Board is making it a priority to bring in new voices and new perspectives. One of the best ways to ensure your voice is heard is to serve on a committee, where the decision-making process begins. We need you!

Committee descriptions are below. Typically, the President appoints the committee chair, and the chair works with the president to select the committee members, with input from the executive director. Appointees serve for one year. 

If you'd like more information, we'll be hosting an informal Q&A at our monthly Board Office Hours on Tuesday, July 16, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. It's free; you just need  to register here in advance to join the Q&A webinar.

If you have questions, please contact IRE President Brian M. Rosenthal at president@ire.org

IRE Committees for 2024-25

• AUDIT COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee historically has had one job: It reviews the annual audit completed by an external certified public accounting firm. But the committee also has the power to otherwise oversee accountability of the organization however it sees fit, if it chooses.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets 1 time per year
• CONTEST COMMITTEE (Note: Unlike the others, this committee is appointed by the Executive Director, other than two committee members, who are elected by the IRE membership.)
  • Committee description: This committee judges the IRE Awards, makes recommendations for the rules for the awards and handles issues that arise with other contests like the Golden Padlock, Don Bolles and Philip Meyer Award.
  • Time commitment: About a month of reviewing entries, culminating in an intense weekend of judging in the spring
  • Note: Committee members are not allowed to enter the IRE Awards or the other contests.
• CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee tackles conference-related issues, including choosing the keynote and showcase panels for IRE, NICAR and AccessFest as well as advising on other panels and specific tracks. It also makes recommendations regarding conference affordability and other issues.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every month
• DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee works on initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion in IRE.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every 2-3 months
• FINANCE COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee oversees the budget and the endowment accounts, and it helps with fundraising.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every 2-3 months
  • Note: This is the only committee in which appointees serve for two years. Some members are appointed by the President, others by the Treasurer.
• GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee scrutinizes IRE's organizational structure and makes proposals regarding various rules, policies and procedures.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every 2-3 months
• INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee works on engaging with the international journalism community.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every 2-3 months
• MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee spearheads initiatives to address IRE member recruitment and retention and improve benefits for members. It also helps organize local meetups.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every 1-2 months
• TRAINING COMMITTEE
  • Committee description: This committee examines IRE's training offerings and makes recommendations for future opportunities, including regional workshops and virtual webinars.
  • Time commitment: Typically meets every 2-3 months

IRE Task Forces for 2024-25

In addition to the nine standing committees, there will be three active task forces. These groups are temporary and exist for specific purposes:

• Affordability Task Force: This task force, created last year, works to improve affordability and accessibility in IRE.
• Website Task Force: This task force, reconstituted last year, works on improving the IRE website.
• 50th Anniversary Task Force: This task force, created last year, is working on the commemoration of IRE's 50 anniversary, which is coming up in 2025.