We here at GSBA anxiously look forward each year to seeing our members at our Summer Conference and Delegate Assembly. It never fails to be a time of great learning and networking, and the 2020 schedule was one we were very excited about. Unfortunately, after much thought, we have elected to cancel the 2020 GSBA Summer Conference and Delegate Assembly.
This was not an easy decision for so many reasons, but we felt the uncertainty of this time and the demand for your attention at your local level require your total focus. Additionally, we are hearing projections from the health experts that indicate there is a likelihood of this pandemic stretching through much of the summer months. The logistics that go into planning our conference does not allow for us to make certain decisions after a specific timeframe without significant penalties, so making a decision at this time is best for all of us.
As you all know, the conference also serves as the time we convene our Delegate Assembly (DA); this year’s DA was scheduled for Friday, June 5th. It is during this time delegates from your districts vote on the positions brought forth by the Governmental Operations Committee (GOC), hear a report on the financials of GSBA, and approve the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers for the upcoming year. While approving the GOC positions and a presentation of the association’s financials can be done later this summer or Fall, the GSBA Bylaws require election of officers occur prior to July 1st. Due to this bylaw, we will hold the meeting of the DA via Zoom on June 5th at 10 a.m. If you have not done so already, please move forward with appointing the board member from your board to serve as the delegate representing your district and share their name with Riquel Stewart (rstewart@gsba.com). We will be in contact with them regarding that meeting.
We also recognize that many of you use the pre-conference workshops as the time you fulfill your annual training requirements. The Georgia Department of Education has extend the deadline for training reports to September 30, 2020. The GSBA plans to provide an opportunity later in the summer that would allow you to take advantage of the pre-conference sessions we had planned for this summer. Additionally, we are accelerating our work on new and updated online training opportunities for your use; please look to hear from us soon on those options.
Please know that we appreciate all that you are doing to provide strong leadership for your districts during this time of crisis. We know it is not easy. But we are confident that you can and will do what is right for your students, staff and community.
Thank you for all you do, and please, stay safe!
Valarie Wilson