I want to take the opportunity today to share a perspective on the current COVID-19 crisis and its potential impact on IHRIM. As Chair, I believe that it is important to communicate with frequency and transparency, as best as my volunteer role allows.
My first priority is our staff, partners, and dedicated volunteers. I am in regular contact with my colleagues to check on their health – both physically and emotionally – and safety and that they have the support they need to devote attention to those who matter most in their lives.
My second priority is our members. Just as many of you are 100% focused on helping your employees navigate new working arrangements, financial hardships, and unprecedented uncertainty, IHRIM is focused on how we help our members through this difficult time.
I am pleased with our response, including member renewal grace periods, proposed flexible payment options, revised course dates for the HRIP certification, and additional resources (COVID-19 and the Impact on HR Technology webinars, idea-sharing groups within IHRIM’s website through SocialLink, etc.). There is always more we can do but we have shown initiative and resolve to serve our members in the right spirit.
For many associations, this crisis is having a major impact on financial results. IHRIM is no exception to that. Various teams have come together across IHRIM to revise budgets, review vendor payments, reduce non-essential spend, and manage our debt. We have also been in contact with our industry association, bank, and the federal government to explore our options. These steps are intended to keep IHRIM on a solid foundation to a point at which normal (if that is even the right word) operations resume. It is a serious situation and I want to personally thank everyone connected with IHRIM who has rolled up their sleeves to address our financial concerns.
It is certainly not easy to think about the long-term future of IHRIM and the education we can provide to our members, but I believe that now is the time to be putting in place programs that offer members amazing value and insights aligned with our 3 pillars: advocating for the profession, serving as a central hub of education, and building a meaningful community. There will be more news to follow in these areas in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, we would like to hear from our members – are you able to “pitch in” by participating in an IHRIM discussion group, or do you have a topic you’d love to present on a webinar? Or an idea that would make for exciting new research into HR technology trends? If so, we would love to hear from you; the best way to reach us is via our Director of Volunteers, Nicole Harper, who can be contacted at [email protected].
Stay safe and I wish you well.
Mick Collins
IHRIM Board Chair
