Greetings GCC Community,
Many thanks to everyone that completed last month's COVID-19 survey! Your responses (which you can also view at this Adobe Acrobat file) were enlightening and inspiring. While there were a wide range of preferences on how and when to return to the ice, a common element was that reopening needed to happen in a safe manner.
Relying on this input and after thoughtful deliberation, the GCC Board has concluded that curling can't resume at GCC until King County achieves a Phase 4 status. Throughout this interim period, the Board will continue to monitor the situation, as well as make plans for your eventual return.
This decision was based entirely on how GCC can maintain the safety of our members and the Puget Sound community. While it may be financially possible to reopen in Phase 3, with very limited member access and ample preventive measures in place, we believe the risk of spreading COVID-19 is just too great. A Phase 4 reopening means that the virus is much more under control and GCC can manage the exposure risk with enforceable preventive measures, such as mask wearing and modified game rules.
Throughout this forced down time, the Board will be pursuing a few efforts to make the club stronger and more resilient for when everyone returns. A committee will soon be formed to identify measures that GCC should implement in anticipation of achieving Phase 4. Also, GCC will be organizing a robust communications and social media effort to increase the engagement of our current members and attract new curlers. We'll need both of these well in place before reopening. Details on how you can help will be shared soon.
Until then, something you can look forward to is our 1st Virtual Annual General Meeting. It will be held August 27th, from 7 pm - 9 pm. Webinar coordinates, agenda, how you can nominate members to Board positions, and lots more details will be coming out over the next couple of weeks. A few not-so-subtle reminders will be sent also.
As always, my thanks for your continued patience. Please do not hesitate to reach out to myself and the entire GCC Board at board@curlingseattle.org with any concerns or suggestions.
Stay healthy,
Phil Shryock
President, Granite Curling Club Board
president@curlingseattle.org
Pronouns: he, him, his