Dear Colleagues:

I hope you are staying home and remaining healthy and finding many things to do at home which would never get done otherwise! We continue in unprecedented and unsettling times and we realize some members are facing very real professional and financial challenges. Even our ability to do some extra practising has, in many cases, come to an end, as churches lock down completely. I have unfortunately recently heard of the death of one member in Victoria as a result of COVID-19. It brings this crisis very close to home.

The RCCO office is still operating with Elizabeth Shannon and Hayley Raymond working from home and enabling the organization to carry on as much as possible. Peter Nikiforuk is going to offer some resources that support on-line teaching, as many of you are now doing that. We are looking for other resources which we may be able to provide. Our RCCO examinations have been postponed until later in the year. 

It is important for the organization to find ways to be supportive of the membership. In response to member’s concerns, and in consultation with our Vice-presidents, Secretary and Executive Director, we are temporarily suspending the membership renewal deadline. If you are able to renew your membership by May 31, that is great and appreciated, but be assured that no current member will be removed from RCCO membership for non-payment of annual dues, until further notice. The one caveat is that if you are renewing a subscription to a publication, that subscription renewal must be received by May 31. Renewing a “subscription only” cannot be done on-line. To renew a subscription please call or email the national office by May 31 for uninterrupted delivery.

We will proceed with our election process as planned. We are obligated to comply with our bylaws and it is important for the organization to fill vacant board positions in order to carry on its operations.

We are all looking forward to our lives returning to normal as soon as possible. In the meantime, make the most of your changed reality and know that the RCCO is concerned for your safety and well-being. Why not call another member this week to check on how they are doing and have a chat? This kind of contact means a lot.

Take care.

Rick Morgan

National President
Royal Canadian College of Organists