Good Afternoon.
It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know that the TSDAR State Conference scheduled for April 23- 26, 2020 has been postponed. Once it became clear on Sunday that the CDC and Federal Government would be recommending groups of 10+ not meet for the next 8 weeks, we began the process of determining our best options moving forward. Pending contracts, we are planing to reschedule for Aug. 13-16, 2020 at the Franklin Cool Springs Marriott. While the event will look different, I hope that it will be a time for us to come together once again to celebrate our chapters and our members. More information will be forthcoming once our hotel contracts are finalized. To make the transition easier we will be canceling the hotel rooms and conference registrations and re-booking both when we have final plans in place.
Hotel Rooms — If you have booked rooms with the Marriott in our official hotel block for April 23-26, the hotel will be canceling those hotel rooms for you at no penalty. It is expected to take approximately 7 days for this process to be complete. If you have an email on file with them for your reservation they will send you a confirmation, and there is no need to call unless you have not received notification by April 1. If you booked outside of our room block or at another hotel, you will need to call the hotel to cancel your reservations.
Conference Registrations — We will begin processing refunds within the next few days with a goal to complete all refunds no later than April 4th. Payments received via PayPal or credit card will be refunded using the same method. Checks which have not been deposited will be returned. Checks already deposited will receive refund checks in the mail. We realize times could be difficult for some, so if you need an immediate refund, please email us at treasurer@tndar.org. Due to the volume of refunds being processed, we would request all communications be made via email. This will allow the team to track communications and process refunds quicker. Always include your full name, national number and chapter name. TSDAR Treasurer Sandra Long will be handling these refunds, so please direct any questions regarding this process to her at treasurer@tndar.org.
While I am disappointed that we will not be able to meet this April, I believe this is in the best interest of our membership to reschedule when things are less uncertain. I hope that by August we will have seen this season of uncertainty pass and social distancing bans lifted. Until we can meet again, please stay safe and follow your healthcare providers recommendations for chapter meetings and other social gatherings. For those stuck at home this is a wonderful time to catch up on brick wall paperwork for our genealogists or to start the Members or New Horizon Training Courses. We are an organization with a membership that sees a challenge and always seems to make the best of it — I suspect this will be no different, and I look forward to hearing how our members were able to continue their seasons of service from their homes during this time.
I will have all of you in my thoughts and prayers until we meet again.
In Service, Cecile
