SCI ESTABLISHES COVID-19 CHAPTER SUPPORT TASK FORCE
As we settle in to the new reality brought on by the COVID-19 crisis, we want to let you know what we are doing at the national level to assist chapters and the hunting community through what is anticipated to be a brief but difficult period.
In an emergency session on March 16, the Executive Committee established the CV19 Chapter Support Task Force led by Scott Chapman, President Elect; Michael Leonard, Vice President; Jason St. Michael, Chapter Services; Tyler Daniels, Don Detwiler, and Chip Hunnicutt, Director of Marketing & Communications.
The mission is to assist chapters through this crisis. Above all, we ask that chapters comply with guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), federal, state and local officials. The CDC guidelines to limit group gatherings has led many chapters to postpone or cancel their fundraising events. The Task Force is advising:
–Postponement in favor of cancelling events. If a future date is difficult to determine, consider conducting an online auction.
-The Task Force is working with Online Hunting Auctions to provide chapters with crisis pricing for those chapters not wishing to postpone.
-Chapters should submit a link and auction date(s) to [email protected] for inclusion in the weekly SCI News e-newsletter.
The May board meeting is being moved to a virtual experience. Business must go on and SCI staff will be providing instructions to the board for remote participation.
Barbara Crown operates SCI's Hunter Information Service, providing members information on hunting-related activities and travel. With 20 years' experience reporting on hunting news worldwide, she is following the effects of COVID-19 developments on the hunting industry. The member-exclusive service has made its advisories related to the disease available to the public on the SCI website.
The Convention Committee will be meeting in a few weeks to discuss plans for 2021. The CV19 Chapter Support Task Force will be offering input, including ideas to assist the outfitters that support our chapters and events.
Lastly, we invite you to watch a special message from W. Laird Hamberlin, CEO of Safari Club International. We urge you and the hunting community to remain vigilant during the COVID-19 crisis and by sticking together and supporting one another, we will emerge stronger for it.
