Hello CFUW Members,

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CFUW National Board met today and decided to change the format of the 2020 AGM to a virtual AGM instead of the planned in-person AGM and Conference scheduled for Ottawa in June. The health and welfare of the membership is the foremost reason for this decision.

This decision was not taken lightly and it with much regret that we found it necessary to put into effect the contingency planning that Robin Jackson, CFUW Executive Director, and I had been doing over the past two weeks in consultation with Board members and other CFUW leaders.

We are particularly appreciative of the work done by the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) of CFUW Ottawa, of Co-Chairs Christine Rollo and Patricia Duffey, Club President Heather Lewis and other members of the LAC.  Immediately after the Board meeting we met with the LAC and  discussed the situation and future plans.

In 2018 we held our first virtual AGM and we are well into planning a similar experience this year. Other contingency planning involves ensuring the work of national office can continue effectively in the adverse situation of a COVID-19 environment. Some Councils and clubs are considering rescheduling events from in-person to virtual if necessary.

If you have booked your hotel room for the AGM in Ottawa, you can cancel without a cancellation fee. This week, airlines appear to be more lenient with the cancellation of flights, and I hope all who have booked are able to cancel without financial loss.

I will get back to you with more information on the rescheduled AGM 2020 and also on other contingency planning.  Some of the workshops planned for the Ottawa AGM will be offered to members as webinars and this will be available to all members who wish to participate.