General Volunteer Requirements

As you review the various Task Forces and Committees, please consider how your unique skillset can best support ILCA’s mission. To ensure the success of our initiatives, all volunteers must meet the following criteria:

• ILCA Membership: Maintain ILCA membership in good standing throughout the duration of your volunteer term.

• Global Collaboration: Be willing and able to accommodate global time differences for virtual meetings.

• Active Participation: Attend scheduled meetings regularly. To maintain team and project continuity, members with less than 80% attendance (without prior notification of an excused absence to the chair) may be asked to step down from their position.

Terms, Commitment & Committee Descriptions

• Communications Committee (new): The Communications Committee partners with ILCA staff to develop and propose communications that clearly articulate ILCA’s work, highlight its value to IBCLCs, ILCA members and support engagement across the wider lactation field.
  • Term Limit: 12-24 month term
  • Workload: 2-4 hours per month of work
• Conference Planning Task Force (CPTF): The Conference Planning Task Force (CPTF) makes it possible for lactation support professionals to access quality educational content presented at the ILCA Biannual Conference through the selection of speakers and assistance on-site. This group will re-convene specifically to plan the 2027 Conference.
  • Term Limit: a one-year term with the option to continue their participation for up to 3 years
  • Workload: Approximately 2-4 hours per week  during active planning phases, with increased hours required during abstract evaluation and speaker selection.
• Education Committee: The Education Committee will support the development of year-round educational content, in coordination with ILCA’s Accredited Provider Program Director (contract position). The Committee will leverage data from the member needs assessment, as well as quarterly evaluation reports for educational offerings, to identify education topics, review submitted proposals for educational offerings, review draft content to ensure it aligns with these needs and the WHO Code and ensure compliance with IBLCE and ANCC requirements. Additionally, members work with the Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) to select Individual Study Modules (ISMs).
  • Term Limit: 2-year term
  • Workload: Approximately 2-4 hours per month. Commitment increases to 1–3 hours per week during peak review and decision-making periods.
• Global Outreach Committee: The Global Outreach Committee serves to fulfill ILCA’s vision of worldwide representation via collaboration with key partners and international organizations.
  • Term Limit: 2-year term
  • Workload: Approximately 3–5 hours per month. This time includes attending committee meetings held every 1–2 months.
• International Code Committee: The International Code Committee is responsible for assisting ILCA in expanding the awareness, understanding and application of the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and relevant subsequent WHA resolutions (International Code).
  • Term Limit: 2-year term
  • Workload: Approximately 1–3 hours per week, with an increased time commitment required leading up to the conference to assess sponsor and exhibitor applications, as well as during periods when sponsors are accepted for online education (e.g., Study Days).
• Membership Task Force: The Membership Task Force is an advisory task force to the ILCA Board of Directors on matters pertaining to membership with the association. The Membership Task Force considers data related to the association’s membership, future trends in lactation consulting, as well as economic and enterprise trends, to make recommendations to the Board on membership categories with associated benefits and dues.
  • Term Limit: 2-year term
  • Workload: approx. 1-2 hours per week of work
• Research Task Force: The ILCA Research Task Force ensures that ILCA members have access to the latest research in the skilled lactation care field, directly impacting members’ ability to provide the best care possible to parents and babies. This group works collaboratively with the Conference Planning Task Force (CPTF) in abstract selection and evaluation may also support the in-person conference through activities such as poster judging.
  • Term Limit: 2-year term; Task Force members may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms
  • Workload: Approximately 2-4 hours per month, ensuring availability from August–July