Central 1 Update on COVID-19 Response

Member Forum cancelled; AGM will be virtual

This is an unprecedented time in Canada – and in the world – where issues and challenges are developing on an almost daily, if not hourly, basis. Like all of you, our team at Central 1 has been closely monitoring the evolving situation around COVID-19.

The health and well-being of our employees, members, clients and communities are top priority for Central 1. As part of our Business Continuity Plan, Central 1 is taking some extra precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of our people, while protecting our critical business functions for the credit union system and our clients. We have robust, comprehensive business continuity practices, and our team is dedicated to supporting our ability to remain operational in case of a wider outbreak of COVID-19.

Our Board and management are closely monitoring recommendations from the Government of Canada, provincial governments and the World Health Organization. Last week, we decided to ban all non-critical business travel by plane, train, bus or ferry, both interprovincially and internationally.  We know there is concern about events and gatherings and we have heard from a number of our members on this subject.

Member Forum, AGM and gatherings 
The Central 1 Board met via conference call today to consider impacts and implications of continuing with, postponing or cancelling the member Contact Meetings scheduled for March 23-24, our Member Forum & AGM scheduled for April 27-28, as well as our participation in member gatherings including the BC Peer Group Meetings.

With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing daily, coupled with escalating public health organization warnings and advisories, the Board believes the prudent and responsible decision at this time is to cancel the Contact Meetings and the Member Forum. We believe the risks of underreacting far outweigh the risks of overreacting. We will participate in any member gatherings virtually, where possible, including BC Peer Group meetings.

We are exploring how we can best leverage technology to host Contact Meetings in Ontario so you can still hear from Central 1 on strategic initiatives. We are also determining the feasibility of providing some of the Member Forum sessions virtually. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

As the Member Forum is normally coupled with the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Board approved changing the AGM to a virtual format for 2020.  The intent is to proceed as scheduled on April 28 with an online meeting. Details and logistics for this will be communicated to voting members in the coming days via the official Notice of Meeting.

For now, the Board believed it was appropriate to quickly communicate our decision regarding these events and gatherings. If you have already registered for any of our events, you will hear from Central 1 Member Relations with further details on cancelling your registration and hotel reservations.

I appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting in person as soon as we can. In the meantime, please reach out to memberrelations@central1.com if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Mark Blucher
President & CEO
Central 1