Two opposing groups within the International Desalination Association (IDA) have aired their concerns over the future of the organisation in separate emails to members.
IDA comptroller Lisa Henthorne wrote to members on Thursday 22 June 2017, to share a number of concerns, including that IDA’s decision making process may be skewed by more than a third of voting members being employed by a single company.
On Monday 26 June 2017, IDA president Emilio Gabbrielli wrote in response, outlining his concerns, including over issues of transparency and accountability within the organisation’s operations.
A particular point of dispute is over how IDA chooses to recruit a successor to secretary general Patricia Burke, who is due to retire later this year. Henthorne favours appointing a recruitment agency to conduct a search, while Gabbrielli prefers to appoint from within.
IDA members are invited to express their views on the issues raised directly to the president and board directors.