Steve, at least my posts aren't manic like yours - not sure why you are so gung ho on the change, are you on the committee maybe?
IICRC generated more than $2 million a year in dues/fees when I was on the board - not sure where they are at now. I assume over three million. I know the management contract is around a million a year.
So... they are non-profit (even though some consultants/advisors make profit from them), and they are handling a large amount of revenue paid collectively by the registrants, so there does need to be accountability and transparency. In fact, to keep their non-profit status, they must adhere to these standards.
I have yet to speak with a Master Cleaner or Restorer who is happy about this. The funny thing is, the management is saying that the calls into the office at 2-to-1 in favor of the name change. :shock: Do you really think people are calling to say "hey I like it?" Even if they did like it, there is no motivation to say so (except perhaps you Steve).
You would think being paid a million a year, they could at least lie better.
It's also being said that the only one who is really unhappy about this is me. I guess everyone else who has posted their dislike don't count.
I've said it hear, and everywhere else. My bone to pick is not that they changed the name. Even though it's dumb, what you expect from an "image advertising" PR firm whose claim to fame is getting disgraced Governor Elliot Spitzer a bad tv show on CNN.... the underlying complaint is that it's done in a dictatorial style. No dialogue. Shoot - they didn't even tell their certified cleaners about this before it was announced publicly. They did not care if their "customers" would like it or not, because they know what's "best" for you all.
This is one of the messages to the
IICRC HQ that was copied to me - I've left his name off, but it's similar to others going to their office:
"As an owner of a
certified firm with more than 20 certified technicians I am writing to voice my displeasure of the name change from
IICRC to cleantrust.
Just like the government you went behind our back and did something because you know better than us….trust me.
Had you brought it to a vote and the thousands of members voted in a majority to rename the
IICRC to cleantrust I would still not been happy (I would have voted against it) but at least it would have a majority vote from those it will impact the most…trust me
You will have a hard time selling the thousands of members on the fact you or your marketing firm think this a good move and the name alone will instill confidence in the consumer public…trust me…..
H.M."
The replies back from
IICRC to every comment are a canned reply that basically says thanks for the feedback, but we're going to ignore you so please be excited by the name change.
My paraphrase. =)
I would assume that this will be a topic for the new Board's first meeting. As Chavez mentions, multiple messages will help in the effort to at least not have them ignore the complaints.
The bigger issue is this. If this goes by with no push back, it sets a precedent for future policies in the sense that the opinion of the cleaners and restorers who pay for the operation of
IICRC do not matter. The culture of
IICRC for a decade has been backwards. The front lines should be defining what excellence in our craft is, not bureaucrats. This needs to be a dialogue. And it needs to be simplified.
They did not respect their instructors or their registrants in this process, and pissed most of them off.
They need to course correct or it will back fire. And honestly, with the level of character that has come on to the new Board, I bet something good will come from this not that saner minds are in control.
We will see...
Lisa
P.S. If any of you want to send feedback and copy me, you are welcome to at
rugchick@gmail.com. I am collecting feedback from currently certified cleaners and will be sending them en masse to several board members to make sure they do in fact get addressed.
