An Update for Members from the Association
Dear member,
We hope you and your families and colleagues are well, and coping with the current crisis as best you can. At the ASBCI, we would like to reiterate our support for members at this time and urge you to contact us if we can help in any way.
We are also aware that many of our members are struggling financially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Like you, the ASBCI is also planning a survival strategy, and that, of course, depends on our members surviving. Ultimately, the ASBCI is here to support the industry and that is what we want to do now.
Subscriptions for 2020/21
You may have noticed that you did not receive your membership renewal notice in April. After discussions with the board, we have decided to delay and reduce membership fees for this coming year to ease the burden on members. We feel this is the best use of the small reserve the Association has built up over recent years.
The proposal is that invoices for membership fees will be deferred for three months from 1st May to 1st August 2020, when hopefully the worst of the virus impact will be over and business can begin to return to normal. The position will be reviewed in three months’ time. We feel this is in the best interests of everyone concerned and gives us all the best chance of resuming normal operations in the years to come. As we have all heard so many times over the last few weeks, we are all in this together.
Events
The coronavirus pandemic has caused the postponement of many events, including the ASBCI annual conference on sustainability, which was due to take place in April, and a technical seminar. However, the situation permitting, we hope to put on at least one event before the end of the year. As always, your input into the topics you would like to focus on will help guide us in planning the most relevant content.
Industry support
The ASBCI is continuing to operate throughout this crisis with staff working from home in accordance with official government guidance, and we are able to respond as normal to support our membership – so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
In keeping with the ASBCI’s focus on networking and knowledge sharing, we have received requests from various agencies for information relating to the supply of PPE for the NHS, and have been coordinating where possible. At times like these, the ASBCI’s ability to connect with the industry and facilitate these efforts is invaluable, so please consider contacting us if you are organising or would like to participate in such projects. We will do what we can to link you up with relevant contacts.
Finally, from all our staff to all our members, stay safe, stay healthy, and we look forward to seeing you again as soon as it is safe to do so.
Kindest Regards
Alistair Knox, Chairman
