PRSA Richmond Postpones March Events

A message to the PRSA Richmond community:

Heightened response efforts to COVID-19 are underway throughout our region. As concerned citizens, we all are adjusting our schedules and daily habits in efforts to help mitigate the risk and spread of coronavirus. This afternoon, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency. In light of this, PRSA Richmond’s executive committee met by phone today and unanimously approved to postpone all planned in-person events in March, effective today. This includes the following:

• Postponed:  PRSA Richmond’s March 25 lunch program
• Postponed:  PRSA Richmond’s March 31 workshop on speechwriting
• The PRSA Richmond Board of Directors will meet by conference call on March 25.

For non-members who had already registered for the March 25 lunch, you will receive a refund.

We will be looking to reschedule the March 31 speechwriting workshop later this year. Those who have already registered and paid in advance can apply this toward the rescheduled date. Or, they can contact admin@PRSARichmond.org for a refund.

Considering the rapid response efforts to mitigate the risk and spread of coronavirus, our decision likely will come as no surprise to PRSA chapter members. Just in the past 24 hours, we’re seeing the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in central Virginia. At the recommendation from leaders of our nation and our communities, we are seeing “social distancing” being implemented in many facets of our community: Virginia colleges and universities moving to online classes; cancellations of many public events; and employers encouraging employees to work remotely.

PRSA Richmond feels strongly that postponing in-person events in March is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our members, our colleagues, our families and our community at-large. Our chapter leaders will continue to evaluate the situation, as we look to upcoming events later this spring. We will keep you well informed as adjustments are made. This includes re-scheduling the March professional development workshop for later this year. We also will consider adding another lunch program to replace the March 25 program, possibly over the summer.

We look forward to PRSA Richmond resuming when the situation improves. In the meantime, our thoughts and well-wishes are with all those affected by the virus. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at president@prsarichmond.org.

Sincerely,

Windy Campbell
PRSA Richmond President