Conference Update September 2020
After careful consideration the SEPA Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to postpone the planned upcoming Annual Conference from this November of 2020 to March of 2021 (dates will be forthcoming).
SEPA has been monitoring the COVID-19 Pandemic closely, as we know all of you have. At this time it is impossible to predict what the Public Health Order will be in 2 months, and as such, the SEPA Board feels that this is a responsible action and determined out of concern for the health and well-being of not only our SEPA members, but the Province of Saskatchewan as a whole. The SEPA conference has always been an inclusive event enriched with in-person networking opportunities. The SEPA Board has heard your feedback that this is a critical component and plan to continue this practice if deemed safe and allowed.
In the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan for Ongoing Management of COVID-19 document, the Government of Canada states that a “reasonable worst case scenario includes an epidemic curve with a large peak in the fall or winter of 2020 followed by ongoing peaks and valleys for the next 2-3 years”[1] Emergency management best practice is to hope for the best while preparing for the worst.
Based on the increase of global COVID-19 cases, the potential for an increase in Canadian numbers coupled with the flu season, and this information, the SEPA board of Directors has made the arduous decision to postpone the 2020 annual SEPA Conference until March of 2021 at which point a reassessment will be made into the feasibility of a Conference at that time.
The SEPA Board of Directors has also made the commitment to remain in our current positions until an AGM can be conducted and new board members are able to be selected. We thank each of you for your patience as we navigate through these unchartered times and pivot with each curve ball thrown.
As always the SEPA Board is committed to providing relevant and valuable content at the annual conference and we continue to request your assistance in identifying suitable topics and training options. Please send suggestions and constructive feedback to admin@sepa.ca so that we may make arrangements to continue the pursuit of excellence for the next SEPA conference.
SEPA would like to thank the Saskatoon Inn for their patience and flexibility to accommodate the postponement of the conference and for working with SEPA to ensure the safety of our members.
Sincerely,
Deborah Davies SEPA President &
Don Brown SEPA Vice-President
[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/federal-provincial-territorial-public-health-response-plan-ongoing-management-covid-19.html
SEPA has been monitoring the COVID-19 Pandemic closely, as we know all of you have. At this time it is impossible to predict what the Public Health Order will be in 2 months, and as such, the SEPA Board feels that this is a responsible action and determined out of concern for the health and well-being of not only our SEPA members, but the Province of Saskatchewan as a whole. The SEPA conference has always been an inclusive event enriched with in-person networking opportunities. The SEPA Board has heard your feedback that this is a critical component and plan to continue this practice if deemed safe and allowed.
In the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan for Ongoing Management of COVID-19 document, the Government of Canada states that a “reasonable worst case scenario includes an epidemic curve with a large peak in the fall or winter of 2020 followed by ongoing peaks and valleys for the next 2-3 years”[1] Emergency management best practice is to hope for the best while preparing for the worst.
Based on the increase of global COVID-19 cases, the potential for an increase in Canadian numbers coupled with the flu season, and this information, the SEPA board of Directors has made the arduous decision to postpone the 2020 annual SEPA Conference until March of 2021 at which point a reassessment will be made into the feasibility of a Conference at that time.
The SEPA Board of Directors has also made the commitment to remain in our current positions until an AGM can be conducted and new board members are able to be selected. We thank each of you for your patience as we navigate through these unchartered times and pivot with each curve ball thrown.
As always the SEPA Board is committed to providing relevant and valuable content at the annual conference and we continue to request your assistance in identifying suitable topics and training options. Please send suggestions and constructive feedback to admin@sepa.ca so that we may make arrangements to continue the pursuit of excellence for the next SEPA conference.
SEPA would like to thank the Saskatoon Inn for their patience and flexibility to accommodate the postponement of the conference and for working with SEPA to ensure the safety of our members.
Sincerely,
Deborah Davies SEPA President &
Don Brown SEPA Vice-President
[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/federal-provincial-territorial-public-health-response-plan-ongoing-management-covid-19.html