IWA Governance and Working Committees

Standing Committees

IWA's standing committees are permanent bodies established by the bylaws to carry out essential functions of the association. Standing committee chairs are appointed by the Board Chair with approval from the Board of Directors. Committee members are drawn from the IWA membership based on expertise and interest.

Standards Committee

The Standards Committee oversees all standards development activities of the association. This includes managing working groups, reviewing proposed standards, coordinating public comment periods, and recommending standards for publication. The committee ensures that IWA standards follow rigorous development processes and represent industry consensus.

The Standards Committee also maintains relationships with other standards organizations, coordinates on overlapping technical areas, and ensures that IWA standards are compatible with broader industry frameworks. Working groups report to this committee and receive guidance on development procedures.

Education Committee

The Education Committee guides the development of IWA's courses, certifications, and learning resources. This includes approving curricula, establishing certification requirements, and evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs.

The committee ensures that IWA education programs align with industry needs and that credentials maintain their value in the marketplace. This includes periodic reviews of certification requirements, monitoring industry trends that should influence curricula, and soliciting feedback from employers on graduate outcomes.

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee manages the annual election process for the Board of Directors. This includes identifying qualified candidates, verifying eligibility, and presenting a balanced slate that represents the diversity of the webcasting community. The committee ensures that election procedures are fair and transparent.

The committee also supports leadership development by identifying members who may be interested in future leadership roles and connecting them with mentorship and development opportunities.

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee interprets and enforces the Code of Ethics. This includes investigating complaints, providing due process for accused members, and recommending appropriate sanctions to the Board of Directors. The committee handles all matters with confidentiality and fairness.

Beyond enforcement, the Ethics Committee provides guidance on ethical questions that arise in professional practice and develops resources to help members understand and apply ethical principles in their work.

Special Committees

The Board of Directors may establish special committees to address specific initiatives or challenges facing the association. Special committees have defined objectives and typically operate for limited terms until their work is complete.

Conference Planning Committee

The Conference Planning Committee organizes the IWA Annual Conference and supports regional events. This includes venue selection, program development, speaker recruitment, and attendee experience. The committee works to ensure that IWA events provide exceptional value to participants.

Research Committee

The Research Committee oversees IWA's industry research initiatives. This includes commissioning studies, reviewing methodology, and ensuring that research findings are communicated effectively to the membership and broader industry.

Working Groups

Working groups are the primary mechanism for developing IWA standards. Unlike committees that have broad ongoing responsibilities, working groups focus on specific technical areas and produce defined deliverables such as standards documents and best practice guides.

Active working groups address topics including streaming quality, accessibility, encoding formats, and hybrid events. Working groups are open to all IWA members with relevant expertise and interest. Visit our working groups page to learn about current initiatives and how to participate.

Participate in IWA Governance

IWA members are encouraged to participate in governance through committee and working group involvement. Committee service provides opportunities to shape the direction of the association and contribute expertise to programs that benefit the entire webcasting community.

To express interest in committee participation, contact the appropriate committee chair or complete the volunteer interest form. Committee appointments are made based on expertise, availability, and the need for diverse perspectives in committee deliberations.