Every three years, aligning with the IRF World Ranger Congress, the IRF elects a new Board. The IRF Board includes the Executive Members in the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, and one Regional Representatives for each of the seven IRF Regions.
The IRF will soon begin the election process for key leadership positions to be confirmed at the 11th IRF World Ranger Congress, taking place in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, from 19–23 April 2027.
This is an important opportunity for our member associations to help shape the future direction of the IRF by nominating committed leaders to serve the global ranger community.
Candidate Requirements
Successful candidates will need to attend meetings, network widely, lobby appropriately and act throughout in a professional and competent manner. In International Forums, English – both spoken and written – is used extensively and candidates with a good working knowledge of this language would have a distinct advantage. This does not however preclude native speakers of any other language.
Successful candidates must have:
- The ability to communicate electronically.
- Access to email or the internet on a regular (at least weekly) basis.
- The ability to communicate in English, verbally and in writing.
- The willingness and capacity to put in a regular amount of time and effort on behalf of the Federation.
- The ability to attend meetings at irregular times.
IRF Executive Team and Regional Representatives must be members of current IRF Regular Member Associations.
Additionally, as per the IRF Regulations 2025
R10.3 Director and Officer eligibility
- Candidates for the position of Secretary must be fluent in written and spoken English.
- Due to the nonprofit incorporation and financial center of the IRF being in the United States, Treasurer candidates preferably should be from the United States.
We’re looking for a strong network of representatives with the commitment and passion to ensure that our rangers are involved, engaged and their potential properly recognised. If this sounds like the kind of challenge that inspires you, then please apply.
Please forward any enquiries to James Slade at elections@internationalrangers.org
For your information, relevant ByLaws and Regulations explaining the election and duties of IRF office bearers, can be found on the IRF website at https://www.internationalrangers.org/irf-governance/
Timeline
The Call for Nominations will officially open on 15 October 2026, with nominations closing on 31 December 2026.
Following a review by the Independent Election Committee, confirmed candidates will be announced by 31 January 2027, with candidate profiles published on the IRF website in early February 2027.
We encourage all members to familiarise themselves with the election procedures and role descriptions, and to consider nominating individuals who are passionate about strengthening the voice and impact of rangers worldwide.
Voting at the Congress is reserved for Regular Members in good standing.
Eligability
Eligibility is assessed based on the current membership year, your association must be a Regular Member in good standing as at 31 December 2026 to be eligible to vote at the World Ranger Congress in April 2027.
In practical terms, this means the requirements below must be satisfied during 2026, for example, your annual fees must be paid (or formally waived) in 2026.
To be a Regular Member in good standing with voting rights, a member must:
- Pay annual fees, or have fees waived;
- Submit a complete annual report form to the IRF Secretary, in the form approved by the Board;
- Submit at least one article to the newsletter or online each year;
- Communicate with, or respond to, the IRF by email or other means, with no lapse of six months or longer;
- Attend Annual General Meetings (AGMs), without an unexcused absence of two consecutive years or more;
- Participate in electronic voting, without an unexcused absence in two consecutive electronic votes.
Please take a moment to check that your association is on track to meet each of these requirements before 31 December 2026.
If you are unsure of your current standing, particularly on fees, your annual report, or your yearly article, please get in touch with the IRF Secretary (secretary@internationalrangers.org) as soon as possible so any gaps can be addressed well ahead of the Congress.
Nomination Process
How to nominate and what to include:
Whether you nominate for an Officer or Regional Representative position, the process is very similar
Every position requires two (2) documents.
Please select the relevant Burden of Office Form for the position/s you with to express interest in.
Each candidate is welcome to provide a short expression of interest video. This should be no longer than 3 minutes and should include why you are nominating for the IRF position/s.
Nominees accept that the video will be used on IRF website and social media platforms, and at the IRF World Ranger Congress and linked to the electronic ballot.
Further information is provided in the Forms.
Voting Process
This election will be conducted using an online process through Election Buddy, the IRF used this same process at the 2024 IRF World Ranger Congress. More information on this will be provided to Regular members in due course. The IRF will send an email to the PRIMARY email address for each association with access to the voting system.
Each Regular Member is entitled to one (1) vote per Officer position, and one vote for the Region that they are in. Therefore each Regular Member can vote for the following:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Regional Representative relevant to their region.
Voting will open in early February 2027 and will close on the final morning of the 2027 IRF World Ranger Congress.
Results will be announced on the final morning of the 2027 IRF World Ranger Congress (23rd April 2027)
2024 IRF Board Announcement