Dear Members of the Golden West Region,

The GWR BOD has been in constant communication about the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Spring Conference.  I am sure this comes as no surprise to you as we are all being directed to stay home to flatten the curve in this outbreak.  It is vitally important that we all follow the CDC recommendations to stay safe!  We have cancelled all club activities – including Dreams Programs, Fund Raisers, Club meetings and now Spring Conference.  The hotel/casino has waived any cancellation penalties – so there is no financial impact to the region for cancelling.  These are extraordinary times, that require extraordinary actions.  If you made hotel reservations, please call the hotel to cancel.  You should not be assessed any penalties.  If you have registered already,  Carol Roddy will be in contact with you to arrange the refund.

So, what does this mean to our region?  We have to get 3 things done before the end of June, everything else will be pushed to the Leadership Training Retreat, or Fall Meetings.  The 3 things we need to get done are:

1. Elect a 2020-2022 GWR Board
2. Approve the 2020-2021 Budget
3. Distribute the GWR Live Your Dream Awards

Fortunately, we can accomplish all three of these items electronically.  In the next two weeks, you will be sent instructions on how to vote for the new Board, and the Budget.  By the end of May, we will announce and distribute checks for the Live Your Dream Award winners.  Since we had finalists from all 4 districts, we intend to have the formal recognitions at the Fall Meetings, so we can meet our winners and give them certificates.  We are in the process of determining if we are allowed to feature each finalist’s bio on our social media pages – so stayed tuned to the GWR Facebook and Instagram accounts.

What about the art auction fund raiser?  We are exploring an online auction platform for the items that your clubs intended to bring to Spring Conference for this event.  Remember, it is the proceeds from this fund raiser that funds our 2021 LYDA finalists.  If your club has been collecting coins in the Dream Jars and Dream Maker donations, please continue to do so, and mail a check to Treasurer Margie by the end of May. 

What are the next steps?

1. Stay calm and follow the CDC recommendations and STAY SAFE!
2. I will be setting up a weekly touch base ZOOM meeting for any GWR members that have questions.
3. Complete your delegate credentialing form, and submit to Mandy Mann by March 31 (this is a new deadline)
4. Complete your “Celebration of Life” form, and submit to Liz Glowka by May 1^st
5. Stay tuned for more information on e-voting

We will get through this together! Stay positive and supportive of each other. 
Governor Lori