The IMIA relies on its members to advance the profession. We have always been a grassroots organization that believes each person can make a difference.

Please see the different committees you can join below.

If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please read the Committee Essentials document on the link above and fill our the disclosure agreement. The disclosure agreement should be faxed to 1-866-406-IMIA (4642).

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Interested in Chairing or Vice Chairing a Committee?  Please read:

Requirements for IMIA Representation
http://www.imiaweb.org/uploads/docs/Requirements_for_IMIA_Representation.pdf.

IMIA Requirements to Apply for Leadership
http://www.imiaweb.org/uploads/docs/IMIA_Requirements_to_apply_for_Leadership.pdf.

IMIA Disclosure Form March 2013
http://www.imiaweb.org/uploads/docs/IMIA_Disclosure_Form_March_2013.pdf.

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The following committees need your help:

Events Committee
- Call for papers, speaker selection and interface
- Selection of venue, space and catering
- Vendor selection and interface (includes audiovisual, printer, registration, handouts, etc.)
- Organization of all aspects of conference
- This committee is very active from May to November.

Contact the Chair of the Events Committee at events@imiaweb.org.


Education Committee
- Development of compendium of medical interpreter educational programs
- Promotion of continuing education for medical interpreters
- Organization of CEU system for IMIA members
- Development of IMIA Accreditation Guidelines for educational institutions
- Development of client education materials

Contact the Chair of the Education Committee at Education@imiaweb.org.


eNews Committee
- Development of eNews copy
- Dissemination of eNews to outside organizations
- Online publication posting and membership distribution
- Request and management of eNews submissions

Contact the Chair of the eNews Committee at eNews@imiaweb.org.


Ethics Committee
- Development of IMIA Ethics Pledge for all members to sign
- Organization of ethics-based discussion groups
- Structuring of ethical violations complaint process

Contact the Chair of the Ethics Committee at Ethics@imiaweb.org.


The External Relations Committee
- Identify and facilitate the development of collaborative agreements with other organizations with a similar mission;;
- Maintain relations and identify opportunities for collaboration with partner or supporting organizations
- Maintain memberships and communications with other interpreter and translator associations; and
- Coordinate the Corporation’s presence at other organization’s events.

Contact the Chair of the External Relations Committee at ERelations@imiaweb.org.


Fundraising Committee
- Development of Fundraising Plan
- Seek Sponsors for the Conference
- Seek innovative ways for the organization to raise funds for our causes

Contact the Chair of the Fundraising Committee at Fundraising@imiaweb.org.


Medical Terminology Committee
- Promote Professional Terminology Standards
- Work with international medical terminology project
- Promote medical terminology online sources for interpreters
- Develop standards for medical terminology education for medical interpreters

Contact the Chair of the Medical Terminology Committee at MedicalTerminology@imiaweb.org.


Membership Committee
- Creation of corporate membership marketing materials for distribution to hospitals
- Hospital liaison work (includes visits to interpreter depts)
- General recruitment of individual members

Contact the Chair of the Membership Committee at Membership@imiaweb.org.


Nominations and Governance Committee
- Oversee the nominations for IMIA leaders
- Oversee the elections for the IMIA Executive Board
- Seek to ensure diversity in the IMIA leadership

Contact the Chair of the Nominations & Governance Committee at Nominations@imiaweb.org.


Public Relations Committee
- Media outreach with a view to increase coverage of the profession and our organization
- Promotion of our work with other organizations
- Attendance at conferences of other organizations as IMIA representatives

Contact the Chair of the Public Relations Committee at PublicRelations@imiaweb.org.


If you are interested in joining a committee, please download these two documents (links for these documents provided at the top of this page):

1) Board/Committee Member Disclosure/Confidentiality Form
2) Committee Essentials

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Excerpt from the IMIA Bylaws 2011

ARTICLE 8 COMMITTEES.

The directors may elect or appoint one or more committees and may delegate to any such committee or committees any or all of their powers, provided that any committee to which the powers of the directors are delegated shall consist solely of directors. Unless the directors otherwise determine, committees shall conduct their affairs in the same manner as is provided in these bylaws for the directors. The members of any committee shall remain in office at the pleasure of the directors. All committee chairs will be elected every three (3) years at the Annual Meeting by the majority vote of the Executive Board. The term of office begins January first, allowing a transition period. These chairs will be elected for a term of four (4) years and may be reelected for additional terms.

8.1 Standing Committees. The Corporation shall have the following standing Committees (“Standing Committees”): Audit, Communications, Conference, Education, eNews, Ethics, External Relations, Fundraising, Medical Terminology, Membership, Nominating and Governance, Public Relations and such other standing committees as the Board of Directors may establish from time to time by amendment to this Article 8. Each Standing Committee shall be subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and shall, in addition to the powers and duties specified in these Bylaws, have such powers and duties as may from time to time be delegated to it by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in these By-laws, the size of each Standing Committee shall be fixed by the President. New committees will be voted in by the majority of the Executive Board at the request of a member. An active committee is one with more than one member and with regular monthly meetings.  A committee which does not have a meeting in four months will lose its standing committee status and become an inactive committee. A committee member that does not attend for two months in a row will become an inactive committee member. Committee chairs can reinstate such a member. Every committee chair shall submit a report of its activities to the membership at the annual meeting and to the Executive Board of the Association at the Executive Board meetings.  Standing committees must submit monthly minutes to the Executive Board for review.

8.2 Ad Hoc Committees. Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the President may from time to time establish such Ad Hoc Committees as the President may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time. Any such Committee shall be subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and, except as otherwise provided in these By-laws, shall have such composition, powers and duties and term of existence as may be determined by the President, with the advice of the Vice President.

8.3 Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, provided that no Elected Officer shall serve on the Audit Committee in any appointed or ex officio capacity. The Audit Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Review the financial statements, books and records and accounting systems of the Corporation and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors;
(b) It shall have the power to employ a certified public accountant for the purpose of assisting it in the performance of its duties and for the purpose of performing such duties (including an audit, review or compilation of the Corporation ‘s financial condition) as may be prescribed by the Audit Committee and
(c) Upon the request of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors shall include in the Corporation ‘s Budget a reasonable amount to be expended by the Audit Committee, if it so elects, in connection with the services of such certified public accountant.

8.4 Communications Committee. The Communications committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity). The Communications Committee powers and duties  include but are not limited to:
(a) Oversee Corporation’s communications (website, eblasts, social media, advertising);
(b) Develop and disseminate the Corporation’s communication policy;
(c) Update communications and review important communications prior to publication; and
(d) Review, approve and promote the Corporation’s publications.

8.5 Conference Committee. The Conference Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity). The Conference Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:

(a)      Call for papers, speaker selection and interface
(b)      Selection of venue, space and catering
(c)      Select vendors and interface
(d)      Organize all aspects of conference

8.6 Education Committee. The Education Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).The Education Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Development of compendium of medical interpreter educational programs
(b) Promotion of continuing education for medical interpreters
(c) Organization of CEU system for IMIA members
(d) Development of IMIA Accreditation Guidelines for educational institutions
(e) Development of client education materials

8.7 eNews Committee. The eNews Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).The eNews Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Development of eNews copy
(b) Dissemination of eNews to outside organizations
(c) Online publication posting and membership distribution
(d) Request and management of eNews submissions

8.8 Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).The Ethics Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Development of IMIA Ethics Pledge for all members to sign
(b) Organization of ethics-based discussion groups
(c) Structuring of ethical violations complaint process

8.9 External Relations Committee. The External Relations Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity). The External Relations Committee powers and duties  include but are not limited to:
(a) Identify and facilitate the development of collaborative agreements with other organizations with a similar mission;;
(b) Maintain relations and identify opportunities for collaboration with partner or supporting organizations
(c) Maintain memberships and communications with other interpreter and translator associations; and
(d) Coordinate the Corporation’s presence at other organization’s events.

8.10 Fundraising Committee.  The Fundraising Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).The Fundraising Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Development of Fundraising Plan
(b) Seek Sponsors for the Conference
(c) Seek innovative ways for the organization to raise funds for The Corporation’s causes

8.11 Medical Terminology Committee.  The Medical Terminology Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).The Medical Terminology Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Promote Professional Terminology Standard
(b) Work with international medical terminology project
(c) Promote medical terminology online sources for interpreters
(d) Develop standards for medical terminology education for medical interpreters

8.12 Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity). The Membership Committee powers and duties  include but are not limited to:
(a) Encourage and promote Membership in the Corporation;
(b) Provide information about the Corporation to prospective members;
(c)  Creation of corporate membership marketing materials for distribution;
(d) Hospital liaison work (includes visits to interpreter departments); and
(e) General recruitment of individual members.

8.13 Nominating and Governance Committee. 
8.13.1 The Nominating and Governance Committee shall be composed of (a) four (4) Directors and five (5) Members who shall not be Directors, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting after February 28  meeting each year as provided in Section 8.11.4 below; (b) the President and Vice President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity), and (c) the immediate past President of the Corporation (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).

8.13.2 Term of Office. Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall serve for staggered terms, with one-half (1/2) of the members elected each year. Each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall serve for a term of two (2) years, commencing on the first day of the calendar month immediately following their election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee elected in 2011 shall be divided into two (2) approximately equal classes to serve terms of one (1) or two (2) years, respectively, in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the Board of Directors.

8.13.3 Eligibility. Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms on such Committee (exclusive of any term served in an ex officio capacity) but may serve an unlimited number of nonconsecutive terms. No member of the Nominating and Governance Committee may vote with respect to any nomination by the Committee of such member to serve as a Director, Officer or in any other position.

8.13.4 Nomination and Election. Candidates for election to the Nominating and Governance Committee shall be nominated (a) by Directors at the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors held after January 1 each year or (b) by a written petition signed by at least five (5) Directors, addressed to the Clerk of the Corporation and delivered to the Corporation’s office at least fourteen (14) days prior to the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors held after February 28 each year. The names of all such nominees shall be included in the notice of the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors held after February 28 each year, at which meeting members of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall be elected.

8.13.5 Powers and Duties. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall (a) nominate candidates for (i) all Elected Officers and Elected Directors and (ii) such other positions, if any, as the Board of Directors may request from time to time as provided in these By-laws; (c) develop, implement and oversee an ongoing program for leadership training and development within the Corporation as authorized by the Board of Directors; and (d) identify any Corporation governance issues which may arise from time to time (through regular periodic surveys of Directors and Members and through such other means as it may deem appropriate); recommend to the Board of Directors such amendments, modifications or corrections as may be necessary or appropriate to update or otherwise change these By-laws and recommend to the Board of Directors such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to address such governance issues.

8.13.6 Quorum and Voting. Fifty one percent (51%) of the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Voting at any duly held meeting of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall be by majority vote of the members present.

8.14 Public Relations Committee. The Public Relations Committee shall be composed of (a) such members (at least one of whom shall be a Director) as may be appointed by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, and (b) the President (acting in an ex officio voting capacity).The Public Relations Committee powers and duties include but are not limited to:
(a) Media outreach with a view to increase coverage of the profession and our organization
(b) Promotion of our work with other organizations
(c) Attendance at conferences of other organizations as IMIA representatives

8.15 Term. Except as otherwise provided in these By-laws, each member of a Standing Committee shall serve on such Committee for a term of two (2) years, commencing on January 1 of the year after in which appointed or elected, as applicable or, if earlier, until such member’s death, resignation, removal or disqualification. Each member of an Ad Hoc Committee shall serve on such Committee for a term to be specified by the President at the time of such member’s appointment to the Committee or, if earlier, until such Ad Hoc Committee member’s death, resignation, removal or disqualification.

8.16 Vacancies.         Any vacancy created by the removal, resignation, death or disqualification of a member of any Committee shall be filled by the Executive Committee, promptly after the creation of such vacancy for the remainder of the vacating Committee member’s unexpired term.

8.17 Resignation. Any member of a Committee may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Corporation’s President. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt of such notice by the President or, if later, such effective date as may be specified in the notice of resignation.

8.18  Removal.          Any member of a Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President.

8.19 Committee Chairs.      Each Standing Committee and Ad Hoc Committee shall have a Chair  and an Assistant Chair appointed by the Executive Committee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, for a three (3) year term provided that (a) the President shall serve as the Chair of the Executive Committee and (b) the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall be elected by its members at their first meeting (such first meeting to be chaired pro tem by the immediately past President). Each Committee Chair and Assistant Chair shall be a Member. No person shall serve simultaneously as Chair or Assistant Chair of more than one Standing Committee. Each Committee Chair or Assistant Chair shall have such duties, responsibilities and powers as may be delegated to such Chair or Assistant Chair by the Board of Directors or the members of the Committee, subject in all cases, to the direction and control of the Board of Directors. Any Chair or Co-Chair of a Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by the President subject to approval of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy created by the removal, resignation, death or disqualification of any Committee Chair or Co-Chair shall be filled by the President, with the advice of the Vice-President, promptly after the creation of such vacancy, for the remainder of the vacating Chair’s or Co-Chair’s unexpired term provided that any vacancy in the Chair or Co-Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee shall be filled by election by its members promptly after the creation of such vacancy.

8.20 Rules and Procedures.  Each Committee may adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of its business, provided such rules and procedures comply with these By-laws, resolutions of the Board of Directors and the powers delegated to the Committee by the President or the Board of Directors.

8.21  Committee Meetings.      Except as otherwise provided in these By-laws, meetings of each Standing Committee and Ad Hoc committee shall be held at such times and places as may be determined by the members of the Committee. Any Director may attend any Committee meeting provided that in the event the Committee determines that closure of any Committee meeting (in whole or in part) to persons other than Committee members is desirable and appropriate, such meeting shall be so closed.

8.22 Reports.       A report of all material actions taken by each Committee shall be made to the Board of Directors at least annually upon such schedule as may be determined by the Chair of the Board of Directors.