The has cancelled its 2020 conference.
The annual event was to be held in Cloverdale with the majority of events taking place at the Museum of Surrey.
鈥淚n light of the evolving public health situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the British Columbia Historical Federation, in consultation with the , has cancelled our June 5-7, 2020 conference,鈥� reads a notice on the BCHF website.
Michael Gibbs, president of the Surrey Historical Society (SHS), said he was disappointed with the announcement, but added that he thought it was inevitable.
鈥淲ith the public health crisis on our hands, there was no other choice,鈥� Gibbs said. 鈥淭here is just too much uncertainty (ahead).鈥�
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Gibbs said the SHS met before the BCHF made their decision.
鈥淲e had an Internet video call and discussed things,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e took a vote and we fully backed cancellation over postponement.鈥�
Gibbs said the SHS didn鈥檛 want people worrying about whether or not they had to plan for a conference while a global health crisis raged.
鈥淲e wanted them to worry about themselves,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want people hanging on tenterhooks.鈥�
Gibbs said despite the cancellation, there is a chance Cloverdale will still host the BCHF鈥檚 yearly conference.
鈥淲e asked them to consider us for next year and they agreed. So we may yet host the conference.鈥�
Whether or not Cloverdale will host next year鈥檚 event won鈥檛 be decided until the fall.
As for the 2020 conference, the BCHF noted any registrants that have already paid the fees will be issued a full refund.
The BCHF said despite the conference cancellation, it will still hand out its annual book awards, scholarships, and Centennial Legacy project funds in June. The BCHF said it will announce the winners and recipients on their website, via social media, and in press releases.
鈥淢ore important than awards or conferences is the health of our members and our responsibility as citizens to care for one another,鈥� the BCHF notice said. 鈥淲e know volunteers in historical societies across the province are community leaders鈥�. We urge you to stay informed and lean on the community networks that are a part of your historical society to help ensure community wellness.鈥�
The BCHF said it will hold a virtual AGM this fall. Among other things, it鈥檚 then they will decide on the location for their 2021 history conference.
editor@cloverdalereporter.com
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