Air Date: 12-12-2014 | Episode: 350 Listen | Download
This week we continue our discussion of industry unification efforts with two representatives from the International Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Council of Associations (IICRCA) aka “The Council”…
Full Description:
Last week on IAQ Radio we discussed the consolidation of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA). This week we continue our discussion of industry unification efforts with two representatives from the International Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Council of Associations (IICRCA) aka “The Council”. Joining us from The Council will be Chairman Bryan O’Haleck and President Maury Astley. The Council’s mission is to be a global voice for the inspection, cleaning and restoration related industries by uniting allied organizations through education, advocacy, research and networking services to the membership.
Bryan O’Haleck
Bryan O’Haleck has worked at D. A. Burns & Sons for over thirty years. In that time he has done water restoration work, cleaned carpet and furniture, run the in-plant rug washing department and learned carpet installation and fabrication. As the Operations Manager he has had a hand in HR, work flows, purchasing, building and grounds maintenance, marketing and employee management. Over the past 20 years he has also volunteered for various industry trade organizations gaining leadership, event management and financial management experience that lead to him being elected as Chairman of IICRCA.
Maury Astley graduated from Long Beach State College in California with a BS in Marketing and
Maury Astley
an MBA in Management. He worked in the Telephone industry and found his passion for association management as a volunteer committee person for the Calif. Telephone Association. Mr. Astley started his career in nonprofit management as the Executive VP of the Oregon Independent Telephone Association. He became a Certified Association Executive in 1990 after 10 years’ experience, six months of study and an 8 hour exam. In 1992 he moved to Reno and started a consulting firm, Astley Enterprises, and has served as the Executive Director or Lobbyist for the NV Society of Association Executives, the NV Nurses, NV Dentists and the NV Chiropractic Associations. In August 2014 he was selected as the President and CEO of IICRCA.
Z-Man’s Blog:
High Hopes
Today’s guests on IAQradio were Bryan O’Haleck and Maury Astley CAE. Bryan is Chairman of the International, Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Council of Associations, “the Council” for short” and Maury is the group’s president. Bryan has over 20 years of industry voluntary service in regional and international trade associations. Maury, a Certified Associated Executive (CAE), has been managing nonprofit associations since 1980.
The cleaning and restoration industry is fractionalized. The impetus for bringing regional trade associations together was to reduce costs, pool talent, provide added benefits, minimize duplication, and host larger more meaningful events. Vendors seek to minimize duplication of trade shows within industries or market sectors. Attendees must choose from among multiple industry events none of which provide everything they need and want. For a variety of reasons prior attempts at industry unification were unsuccessful.
“The IICRCA is a Council of trade associations with the purposes of promoting the business interests of its members and advancing the inspection cleaning and restoration industry through advocacy and education.” The organization’s mission statement is “to be a global voice for the inspection, cleaning and restoration related industries by uniting allied organizations through education, advocacy, research and networking services to the membership.”Early indications are that the IICRCA is succeeding where other attempts have failed.
- While it’s widely accepted that the IICRCA is doing a great job, some IICRC activities fall outside the scope of their mission. The Council was tasked with providing benefits for IICRC Certified Firms. Many of the benefits the Council obtains for Certified Firms will also be available to Council members and their constituencies.
- The Council is formed from intact groups which came together. The Council didn’t have a prior constituency of its own to serve. The Council serves the groups that form it.
- Both Bryan and Maury were complimentary of the Council’s board of directors. An “all star” board with extensive prior volunteer experience and willingness to serve.
- According to Bryan, “the Chairman works for the board, the board works for the membership.”
- It’s important to hire experienced pros. CAE is a meaningful designation requiring years of work experience, course study, a written examination and continuing education. Association execs must exemplify a standard of conduct the board can support. CAEs need conflict resolution skills.
- Board members and association staff have a fiduciary responsible to the IICRCA. Members and staff must disclose potential conflicts of interest and must abstain or recuse from voting on issues that they have another and/or a personal interest in.
- Build trust by keeping promises. Grow the organization by demonstrating what we offer.
- Bryan’s biggest accomplishment in 2014 was finding and hiring Maury.
- Bryan’s goal for 2015 is for the Council to be trusted and people proud to be affiliated with it.
- Maury’s 2015 goals are to hold successful events, attain participant satisfaction, broadcast available benefits more extensively, improve website and start a communication board.
- Themes for events: “Make Money, Save Money” & “Working Together, Learning Together”.
Today’s music: “Together Wherever We Go” from Gypsy 2008 Revival
Trivia: Name the term coined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Jan. 1, 1942 when representatives of 26 countries pledged to continue fighting together against the Axis powers. 
Answer: United Nations
Z-Man Signing Off
