This is an important message from ACEC-SK to its members and stakeholders about the actions our association is taking to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. We have been closely monitoring the rapid evolving COVID-19 guidance being offered by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, as well as policy development and decisions taken by various orders of government, our own member companies, and other professional/trade associations in this province.

Of particular relevance to the operation of our association are changes to Article 45 of Saskatchewan’s Public Health Act that state: no public gatherings of over 250 people are permitted, and no event of more than 50 people is permitted if it includes people that have travelled internationally. Also of note, many of our member firms are now enforcing corporate policies such as banning non-essential business travel as well as strongly discouraging personal travel. Some member firms are also already asking their employees to work remotely, or at least exploring options to implement this type of work environment.

As a result, effective immediately ACEC-SK will be taking the following measures until further notice:

• Virtual delivery of all professional/business development and training activity (“Virtual Conferencing” that includes not only ‘presentation’ components, but also ‘networking’ components)
• Holding all board and committee meetings virtually by harnessing easy-to-use digital tools
• Things like ACEC-SK’s flagship events, such as the AGM, Golf Tournament, and Awards Program remain under discussion and updates about these initiatives will continue as circumstances continue to evolve
• ACEC-SK staff will be working remotely to the extent possible, with very limited attendance at the physical office in the near term. Phone messages will be monitored, but the best way to reach association staff until further notice will be via email:

Beverly MacLeod: bmacleod@acec-sk.ca

Darlene Leamon: dleamon@acec-sk.ca

These actions were approved at an emergency teleconference meeting of ACEC-SK’s Board of Directors on Friday, March 13^th.

In these unprecedented times, although we are a relatively small association, ACEC-SK is committed to doing our part to reducing coronavirus transmission. We will adjust as necessary and regularly communicate with you about how we need to react as this critical health and societal threat continues to evolve.

March 16, 2020