Responding to the vast impacts of COVID-19 and the economic reverberations caused by the outbreak, the Chicago-based headquarters office of IIDA is announcing temporary adjustments to its business operations to ensure the association's continued vitality and future financial stability.
Based on current and anticipated economic conditions, and in consultation with its International Board and financial advisors, the non-profit membership organization will place its Headquarters staff on furlough effective June 14, 2020, through July 19, 2020. This will allow staff to take advantage of CARES Act benefits while the organization elects appropriate action to maintain fiscal strength.
During this time, IIDA will temporarily pause regular business operations and all scheduled Headquarters webinars, programming, and outreach. IIDA will return to normal business operations on July 20, 2020, at full strength and with a robust slate of programming.
“While this is a difficult decision, we recognize this action will allow IIDA to preserve revenue and offset early unforeseen impacts caused by the outbreak,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “It is the most fiscally responsible option to take at this time and one that we believe will contribute to our resiliency now and in the future. I'm optimistic about what lies ahead.”
Proving that community, creativity, and character cannot be canceled, throughout the furlough period IIDA will continue to provide the support and professional development resources its membership depends upon via IIDA.org, including resources such as the career center, distance learning and webinar recordings, and affinity programs. In addition, local chapters will continue to offer exceptional, relevant programming, services, and community outreach to members during this time.
Upon return on July 20, IIDA will immediately resume outreach, services, and programming—including the next phase of Collective D(esign), its well-received webinar series that has brought critical and timely content via virtual conversations to thousands of industry design professionals across the globe.
Next, the series will focus on career challenges designers face in the current climate and offer actionable, real-world help, and ideas. In addition, plans are already underway for new programming that puts a spotlight on diversity, inclusion, and equity; women in leadership; and the return-to-work phase of the COVID-19 crisis. IIDA will also be working directly with over 300 new chapter leaders to offer foundational training in the leadership and business oversight each chapter requires.
The IIDA staff expect the return to Headquarters will be a time of renewed excitement, as the association continues its mission to support, inform, nurture, and inspire its members and the design community at large.