Page 4 - CleanScience_Fall22

MESSAGE FROM CIRI
The Show Must Go On
By the CIRI Executive Committee
It would be reasonable to surmise that the title of this column refers to CIRI’s future in the wake of Jim Harris Sr.’s death, but it doesn’t. It refers instead
to structural changes CIRI has undertaken recently to transition and thri􏰀e in the face of 􏰁nancial constraints. (Members of the executive committee [EC], among others, have 􏰂enned re􏰃ections on Jim in the tributes that begin on page 6. As well, John Downey’s Last Word commentary is dedicated to Jim.)
CIRI launched in 􏰄􏰅􏰅􏰆. After strong early 􏰁nancial support, CIRI has been on a 􏰁nancial roller􏰇coaster ride ever since. From 2013–17, sapped of energy and cash poor, CIRI’s operations ground nearly to a halt.
In 2017, John Downey approached Jim Harris Sr. and offered to step in as executive director of an updated CIRI with a new mission and expanded scope of activities. Under their leadership, CIRI gained new energy and momentum. Revenues rose, but not enough to cover costs. John worked full􏰇time hours for part􏰇 time pay and Jim and others contributed 􏰁nancially to keep the ship a􏰃oat.
Then came Covid. CIRI already had a symposium scheduled for March 31, 2020. Long story short, CIRI transitioned the symposium to virtual and the topic to Covid, and attendance surged from an expected 50 to nearly 1,100. Dry coffers were replenished overnight. Were our 􏰁nancial struggles behind us􏰈 Unfortunately, no.
Instead, we were back on the roller􏰇coaster. After the initial surge, interest in the science of cleaning and disinfection waned. CIRI’s efforts to sustain its momentum with webinars, guidance documents, articles, and podcast appearances weren’t suf􏰁cient. 􏰉rgani􏰊ations and vendors with more to offer than cleaning science siphoned off all but CIRI’s most loyal supporters.
In February, John met with the EC after the CIRI􏰇 hosted Healthy Buildings conference. Tremendous energy and resources went into this conference which was planned for Hawaii but forced to transition to virtual due to the 􏰉micron surge. The conference was a success in many ways, but not 􏰁nancially. The hoped􏰇 for replenishment of CIRI’s coffers was not reali􏰊ed.
Having read this far, you might think it is pity party time􏰋 it’s not. 􏰉ur members and supporters have the right to know the score. You also have the right to know what comes next.
When the EC met with John after Healthy Buildings, three options were considered. First was for CIRI to shut down. Clearly, other than the core few (such as you), the industry does not value — as in pay money to support — CIRI. Yet, equally clear is that the industry appreciates CIRI. This is demonstrated by thousands of CIRI website visits and requests for information from all over the globe. We would not shut down.
􏰉ption two was to 􏰁nd a complementary nonpro􏰁t organi􏰊ation that would commit to be a long􏰇term 􏰁nancial partner of CIRI. 􏰉nly a few organi􏰊ations have the deep pockets required. John made inquiries but unfortunately no mutually agreeable deal was reached.
The third option is the one we are taking. We are scaling back expenses and public􏰇facing activities and transitioning to a volunteer􏰇oriented organi􏰊ation. JCS and CIRI’s website will be the primary means to generate and communicate the ever􏰇growing science of cleaning.
John Downey is transitioning from executive director to chairman. He will volunteer on a part􏰇time basis, focusing primarily on JCS. Recently, we sent a survey
to members and supporters asking for volunteers. We received a nearly 30 percent positive response. Under John’s tutelage, these volunteers will form the core of the new CIRI.
Moving forward, CIRI will be less visible, at least for the short term. Long term, the vital work of
Bob Robinson Sr. Brian Harris Steven Spivak, PhD Greg Whiteley, PhD
Secretary Treasurer Executive Committee SAC Chair Executive Committee
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the good hands of those who value it most.
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4 | The Cleaning Industry Research Institute
FALL 2022