Over the last several days, I’ve spent some time going over the Austin and Travis County information on their recent movement to Stage 5. I’ve also consulted with members of our Executive Council, our PCA Zone Rep, and touched base with my counterparts in Maverick and Lone Star Regions (Dallas and Houston, respectively). My consultations have focused on the Travis County guidance as well as thinking through our scheduled events and determining how those line up with the guidance we are receiving.
There is conflicting reporting and guidance, depending on the sources in the media, health and government entities. It can all be quite confusing. However, Stage 5 guidance means members who have not completed their vaccinations should refrain from attending any HCR gatherings, indoors or outdoors. We all want to see a “return to pre-COVID normalcy”, and our Board needs to determine if and how we will use vaccination status of our members to allow entry into an event, especially during Stage 5.
In the meantime, it remains PCA’s position that we follow all CDC, state, and local guidance for any event we hold for our members. That is the one overriding criteria that factors in our decisions to hold events, especially during the pandemic.
For these reasons, I’ve taken the step this morning to immediately cancel all official HCR indoor events through September 14, which is the date of our September Board meeting. At that meeting, the Board will determine if we continue this cancellation another 30 days, until the next Board meeting. We will take this approach so that the Board can adhere as closely as possible to any new data, guidance or direction we receive during each 30-day period.
Lunch Bunch, Happy Hour and the Tech Session for August are all cancelled. Since Lunch Bunch and Ladies Lunch again occur before the September Board meeting, those events in September are also cancelled.
I want to stress that this decision does not currently affect our outdoor events, or events held by our sponsors. I again remind members to use their own personal judgment in deciding to attend a sponsor event or one of our outdoor events.
We will continue planning for future events and deliver them as official guidance and the COVID situation warrants and allows. We will do our best to communicate to all of you any pertinent information as the situation continues to evolve.
In the meantime, stay safe and keep the faith. Together, we will get through this.
If anyone wants to respond with comments or concerns, as always, feel free to reach me at the contact options listed below.
Thanks
Charlie
Charlie Sparks
President – Hill Country Region
Porsche Club of America
918.510.3604