The Rhode Island State Society graciously offered to host our October 31 fall meeting. When arrangements were made last fall, if anyone had suggested that we would need a contingency plan in case of world wide pandemic, we would have thought it a very odd suggestion from a very odd compatriot. But here we are.
As of today the Varnum Memorial Armory in East Greenwich, RI, our host venue, has limited access, and is not open for groups our size. The governor of Rhode Island has extended Phase 3 openings until the end of September. Quarantine restrictions are still in place. We have members travelling from seven different states for our meetings.
After consultation with fellow-member John Adams and the Rhode Island State Society, we have decided to change the format of our October 31 meeting from our usual in person meeting and luncheon program to a Zoom meeting. I toyed with the idea of moving the meeting to an outdoor venue. If October 31 is a glorious autumn day, that might work out fine, but if October 31 is a cold and rainy autumn day, it would bomb. So Zoom it is.
The fall meeting of the the New England District Council will be a Zoom meeting on October 31 at ten o’clock. We will set it up and send out instructions and links for signing into the meeting in late October. We will send out the agenda in advance, and I will ask the members of the several state societies and national committees for reports in advance or “live” at the Zoom meeting.
What I shall miss most is the camaraderie of our members and the attendance of family members. However, we shall get our business done through the medium of Zoom.
Pro Patria,
Bob Walsh
President, New England District Council
A meeting of the New England District at the home of General John Stark with a private tour of the property. Details of the meeting will follow as the date approaches.