Membership in IRA is vital to NMLA and your Local Council! While membership in IRA is separate from your NMLA membership. Members who belong to our national affiliate play an integral role in the successful functioning of our state and local councils. State and Local Council members who wish to serve as officers must be IRA members. Councils in 'good standing' are defined in part by their maintaining a membership with a requisite number of members who also hold IRA membership.