Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
Internships At the IRC
The IRC has an internship program, both for credit and in a volunteer capacity, with internship opportunities related to: international relations research + outreach, member + community relations, marketing + social media, and global education , We are currently seeking interns for the Fall 2026 semester. If you’re interested, please send your name and resume to Evan Verploegh at everploegh@irckc.org
Community-Based Volunteering: Interviews & Outreach
Are you a high school or college student who wants to get involved in Kansas City’s international community? IRC student volunteers are given a volunteer toolkit and (with the guidance of our board, staff, & members) gain hands-on experience conducting outreach, making professional connections, and then interviewing Kansas Citians to showcase just how globally minded our community actually is!
Social Media Volunteering: Capturing & Creating Content
Social media volunteers with the IRC play an important role in centering the IRC as a hub of all things international in Kansas City. At IRC events, they capture the moment & engage with attendees in order to help us showcase our events on our social channels! When possible, volunteers also help to showcase Kansas City’s international influences by attending events & creating content on behalf of the IRC.
IRC Ambassadors: Add Your Voice To The Conversation
Looking for a way to build community while giving back? The IRC Ambassadors program is designed for young adults with a passion for international affairs and a desire to give back to their community. Ambassadors will get to design programs, create experiences with the young and globally curious in mind, and receive mentorship & professional development opportunities. Anyone interested in becoming an IRC Ambassador should reach out to Evan Verploegh, IRC Executive Director, at everploegh@irckc.org
Community-Based Volunteering: Interviews & Outreach
Are you a high school or college student who wants to get involved in Kansas City’s international community? IRC student volunteers are given a volunteer toolkit and (with the guidance of our board, staff, & members) gain hands-on experience conducting outreach, making professional connections, and then interviewing Kansas Citians to showcase just how globally minded our community actually is!
Social Media Volunteering: Capturing & Creating Content
Social media volunteers with the IRC play an important role in centering the IRC as a hub of all things international in Kansas City. At IRC events, they capture the moment & engage with attendees in order to help us showcase our events on our social channels! When possible, volunteers also help to showcase Kansas City’s international influences by attending events & creating content on behalf of the IRC.
Volunteering at Community Events
In the spring, summer, and fall, you might find the International Relations Council represented at cultural events and festivals throughout the KC metro area! Examples include the Northland Ethnic Festival, Kansas City Dragon Boat Festival, Ethnic Enrichment Festival, and KC PrideFest!
The IRC relies on volunteers to participate in these cultural events and festivals, and to help spread the word about our organization when we have the chance to get in front of community members. IF you’re interested in volunteering at one of our community events, we’d love to hear from you! Send an email over to dfitzpatrick@irckc.org
Event-Based Volunteers
IRC Members are warmly encouraged to take an active role in IRC programming by volunteering with us at IRC events, either with event planning (helping us find new venues, make invitations throughout the community, etc.), or with on-site event help (event setup, help with check-in, greeting guests).
Membership-Based Volunteering
Meeting new potential IRC members is something that we’re never “done” with, and that we can never get enough help with! Members interested in bringing new potential members to the IRC are encouraged to get in touch with the IRC staff; we will give you a list of resources that you can utilize to help share information about the IRC with members of your community!
Signature Event Volunteers
The IRC’s five major events are: WorldQuest, the Berkley Lecture, Global Honors Evening, Academic WorldQuest, and Your Global Future. Groups of volunteers are well-placed to help us with the execution of these events, please get in touch at everploegh@irckc.org if your company is interested in volunteering with the IRC!
Volunteer With Our Members
The IRC’s nonprofit members include a wide variety of globally minded nonprofits all doing incredible work within our city limits! Whether its something like building hygiene kits to be sent across the world for Heart to Heart International, working with Jewish Vocational Services to help organize their clothing closet, or doing a “Sip & Sort” at Project CURE, we highly encourage you to get involved!