Career Services, Networking & Governance

ICF members can post job openings at members.intlcheese.org/careers.

Posting costs:
Members: $250 per posting (60-day listing)
Non-members: $450 per posting (60-day listing)
Corporate members (Basic tier+): 2 free postings annually, $200 for additional

Job postings appear in the online career center (searchable by members and public), the weekly career digest email to members, and on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook). To post, log in and select “Post Job Opening” or email careers@intlcheese.org.

ICF’s weekly newsletter (Cheese Industry Insider) is member-exclusive and not available to non-members. Public newsletters include the free Monthly Industry Update (subscribe at intlcheese.org/newsletter) and Conference Updates during conference season.

Directory access rules: The member directory is for professional networking, not marketing solicitation. Bulk download, scraping, and commercial solicitation using directory data violate Terms of Use and may result in membership termination. Members who want to reach the ICF audience should advertise in The Cheesemaker’s Journal, sponsor events, or participate in supplier showcase programs. Contact advertising@intlcheese.org for legitimate marketing opportunities.

Visible to other members in the directory: Name and professional title, company/organization name, city and state (not street address), professional email (not personal), certifications held, and membership category and start year.

Never shared: Home address or personal contact information, dues payment information, CE credit details or exam scores, employer billing information, and private notes or account history.

Members can opt out of the directory entirely or limit their listing to online-only (no printed directory) at members.intlcheese.org under Privacy Settings.

Committee service is open to Professional and Associate members in good standing. You can apply as soon as your membership is active. Review current vacancies at members.intlcheese.org/volunteer, submit your application (typically due January 31 annually), and appointments begin July 1 for 3-year terms.

Immediate opportunities (no application required): Chapter event volunteers, conference session moderators (apply during call for proposals), and exam graders (requires certification + 5 years experience). Most committees meet virtually 4–6 times per year, and committee service earns CEU credit for certified members.

ICF Recognition Programs:
Distinguished Service Award — nominations due March 1
Emerging Professional Award — nominations due March 1
Research Excellence Award — nominations due April 15
All awards are presented at the Annual Conference. Forms at members.intlcheese.org/awards.

Filing an ethics complaint: Reports submitted to ethics@intlcheese.org are reviewed confidentially by the Ethics Committee. The process includes acknowledgment within 2 business days, merit review within 10 business days, investigation if warranted (both parties notified), committee recommendation to the Board, and a Board decision. Possible outcomes range from dismissal to written warning, probation, suspension, or termination. The process typically takes 45–60 days. ICF prohibits retaliation against members who report concerns in good faith.

Note: Product labeling disputes (e.g., naming conventions) fall under FDA/USDA jurisdiction, not ICF’s purview. For labeling issues, contact FDA Food Labeling Compliance or USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.

Voting eligibility:
Professional members: Full voting rights on all matters
Associate members: Can vote on Board elections, cannot vote on bylaws or policy changes
Student members: No voting rights
Emerging Professional members: Full voting rights (same as Professional)
Retired members: Full voting rights if previously Professional members

Corporate membership does not create “organizational votes.” Each designated employee votes individually based on their membership category.

Board eligibility: Professional or Associate member in good standing, minimum 5 years continuous ICF membership, previous leadership experience (chapter, committee, or equivalent), and no conflicts of interest. The Nominating Committee also considers geographic diversity, industry segment representation, and specific skills needed. Contact nominations@intlcheese.org for general feedback on applications.

All Board members and committee volunteers sign confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements annually. Board members must disclose all financial interests, recuse themselves from discussions where conflicts exist, not vote on matters benefiting their companies directly, and sign confidentiality agreements. Committee members must disclose conflicts before each meeting and not use committee work for competitive advantage.

Exam development safeguards: Item writers work under NDA, exams are developed by rotating panels (no single company dominates), and security protocols prevent test content leaks.

If you believe a conflict has not been properly managed, file a complaint at governance@intlcheese.org with the names involved, nature of the conflict, specific materials or decisions affected, and how you became aware of the issue.

2026 dues adjustment: Professional dues increased from $280 to $295 (5.4% increase). This is the first increase since 2023 and supports expanded online courses, new certification exam development, enhanced portal functionality, and the conference scholarship program. Detailed budget information is presented at the Annual Business Meeting each June.

Hardship assistance: ICF offers a confidential Dues Assistance Program for members facing financial hardship due to natural disasters, business disruptions, or personal crises. Assistance may include temporary dues reduction, payment plans (quarterly installments), or partial-year credit. Submit requests at members.intlcheese.org/assistance or email memberservices@intlcheese.org.

ICF’s advocacy role: ICF provides science-based technical expertise to regulators and policymakers but does not take political positions on legislation, lobby legislators, or fund political campaigns. Members seeking advocacy organizations should consider state cheese guilds or the American Cheese Society, which have explicit advocacy missions.

ICF is not merging with any organization. We are an independent professional association with no current merger discussions. Official organizational announcements are made through email to all members, the homepage at intlcheese.org, and the Annual Business Meeting.

ICF does partner with other organizations on specific programs (joint conferences, reciprocal CE credit, research collaborations), but governance and operations remain independent. If you hear significant news not announced through official channels, contact memberservices@intlcheese.org to verify.