Fellow Kin,
In 2020 and 2021, we were all called to Serve the Community’s Greatest Need in a way we have never encountered before. We were asked to do something that goes against our DNA as Kin - that being to stay home and keep our distance from each other. It certainly was not easy, but it was an important part of flattening the curve and keeping our communities safe.
Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices all Kin have made over the past 15 months and for the patience and resilience you have demonstrated. Your efforts have finally paid off!
With federal and provincial COVID regulations easing, and with the National Board’s direction, I am pleased to announce that, as of July 1, 2021, Kin Canada will be lifting the temporary policy to cease all in-person service! While COVID is still a consideration, the case counts across Canada and the provincial and regional public health guidelines indicate that a temporary policy is no longer necessary.
As of July 1, 2021:
- The temporary policy is no longer in place
- Clubs no longer need to apply for an exemption to the temporary policy in order to engage in in-person service in their community.
- In order to confirm insurance coverage, a club may still be asked to provide additional details on their COVID protocols before insurance is granted.
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Clubs are no longer required to complete a Certificate of Insurance Request form for their club meetings unless the meeting involves guests (Kin spouses, guest speakers, municipal officials, etc.) Prospective members or approved members not yet on the roster are not considered guests in this context.
- When hosting any club activity, Clubs must continue to take into consideration the federal, provincial, and local public health guidelines.
- It is the Clubs President’s responsibility and due diligence to remember that COVID is still part of our everyday lives and it is still our responsibility to ensure that our members and members of the community are kept safe. Their health and safety remain our number one priority.
While COVID cases are currently on a downward trend, this pandemic still poses a threat to each of us. Therefore, Kin Canada will continue to monitor the situation across the country. If federal and or provincial regulations indicate that a temporary policy to cease in-person service is prudent, we will reinstate it in the regions where it is necessary. For now though, this is a big win for Kin and for all the communities we serve!
I would also like to acknowledge our National Risk Management Coordinator Melanie Nieson who has been working very diligently throughout this pandemic to monitor regulations across the country, manage the insurance and exception process, and support clubs in adapting their events and meetings. Her efforts were exceptional and are deserving of our collective recognition.
If you have any questions, please reach out to kinhq@kincanada.ca as Melanie is on well-deserved holidays until July 4.
