Dear Colleagues,

As we are all learning to navigate life during a pandemic, the Carolinas Communication Association Executive Council has met in order to discuss our direction as an organization during these uncertain times. This meeting was a thoughtful, inclusive meeting that, first and foremost, put the interest of our membership and their health and safety at the forefront of this conversation. We understand that we are all in this together and we want to support our membership in the best way possible. 

This letter includes updates about how the 2020 Conference, Elections, Membership, and Resources. Our hope is that these decisions will help alleviate some stresses that our memberships might be encountering during this time.

2020 Conference

Out of an abundance of caution amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Executive Council of the Carolinas Communication Association met and voted unanimously not to hold an annual conference (in person or virtual) in 2020. 

We have made this decision after much deliberation and we believe it to be in the best interests of the health and safety of our members, institutions, and communities. 

Submitters to our 2020 conference will be notified individually and will have the option to either have their work held for the next conference or released back to them for submission elsewhere, whichever option they select. 

We are working on what’s ahead for 2021 and we will release those details as soon as they have been solidified. 

In the meantime, we thank our community for their support and we encourage everyone to stay safe during these unprecedented times. We look forward to being together again. 

2020 Elections

As a part of our efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with our decision to postpone the 2020 conference until 2021, the Executive Council of Carolinas Communication Association unanimously approved a one-year term extension for all current Executive Council and officers serving as of May 15, 2020. This also includes the delay in the election of a new 2^nd Vice-President. 

We believe pausing the clock is important to prepare for several reasons: 

1. The postponement of the 2020 conference will require current officers, specifically the 1^st Vice-President/Conference Planner and the 2^nd Vice-President (conference planner of the now 2022 conference) to continue their work for the next year. 
2. Electing a 2^nd Vice-President in the fall would mean that this person would be planning the 2023 conference. Since we historically elect this position 2 years prior to the conference being held, it puts us off schedule.
3. We believe strongly that this extension will allow for some consistency during this uncertain time.

Please know that we did not make this decision lightly and that we feel that this is the best decision considering the circumstances. We are proud to continue serving the association in the best way possible.

2020 Membership

Along with our decision to extend the service of the Executive Council, the Executive Council has also decided to extend the membership of all current member for another year.

Similarly, to above, we believe this extension is important for several reasons: 

1. Our membership registration is tied to attendance at our annual conference. With the postponement of the 20202 Conference, it seems logical to extend the membership.
2. We understand the financial situation that all of our institutions and members are might be facing. We want to alleviate that situation as we are able to and extending the membership is how we are able to do this.
3. We believe strongly that this extension will allow for some consistency during this uncertain time.

Forthcoming Resources 

Because many of us are uncertain as to how our institutions will or won’t be returning to classes in the fall, and that this might be changing very rapidly, we are in the process of developing a space for us to share resources in hopes of helping each other.

Fortunately, CCA’s careful budgeting puts us in a secure situation and we are able to deal with the immediate financial impact that might be caused by COVID-19. 

Finally, we understand that our Constitution, in its current manifestation, does not offer specific details that might guide us during this unprecedented time. The Executive Council of CCA is working hard to make tough decisions with the health and well-being of the membership as its greatest priority.

CCA’s commitment to members and purpose is at the forefront of everything that we do. We thank you for your commitment as a CCA member and for continuing to affirm the accuracy and the relevance of our purpose. Your value and importance to the organization are highly regarded.
 
Thank you for your commitment to the discipline of communication in the Carolinas.

 
Sincerely,

Carolinas Communication Association Executive Council

Caroline E. Sawyer, President

Peter Gloviczki, 1^st Vice-President & Conference Planner

Jason Munsell, 2^nd Vice-President

Alex Patti, Secretary

Carol Leeman, Treasurer

Elena Martinez-Vidal, Web Manager

Jenni Simon, Annual Editor

John MacArthur, Immediate Past President

Jason Edward Black, Executive Director