MCJ 2020 Status

Greetings family, hope you are all safe and managing to navigate a successful path for you and your families during these trying times we're in. The purpose of this message is to share thoughts about the status of this year's MCJ 2020 KC Family Reunion. Clearly, we'll have some huge challenges to overcome in order to stage our gathering in just a little more than (4) months from now.

It goes without saying that we were all really excited about MCJ 2020 KC and before the coronavirus pandemic happened we were on track for a really large and fun filled event. Unfortunately, our dreams have slowly turned into a nightmare as the coronavirus has transformed our entire country and the rest of the world into fear plagued societies. Although we may have seen the worst of the new cases and fatalities, we'll be living with some pretty dramatic changes to our way of life for at least the next year or so.

So, it is very important for us as a family to begin to make plans on how we adjust to this new reality. As MCJ President, I am recommending the following steps be taken:

1). Set a date by which we make a definite decision about whether or not its possible to stage the reunion this year. This decision date should be long enough from now to allow for significant improvement in the overall health climate in the country, but still long enough from the actual reunion date to have adequate planning and ability to change/make travel plans. I'm recommending the decision date of June 5th, roughing 90 days before the scheduled reunion dates (Sept. 4-6).

2). Have a process of allowing the family at large to weigh in and make their voices heard. We can use technology to have a telephone conference, zoom meeting, whatever turns out to be the most convenient way to allow the most people to participate and voice their ideas and cast their votes regarding what direction they would like to see the family move in.

3). Prepare a report on proposed facilities to be used to host the reunion in 2020 or 2021 and give a financial report for the MCJ bank account.

Anyone who has thoughts about any of these matters is welcome to either send me an email at ecollinsemg@gmail.com or give me a call at (504) 717-9824. I am in close touch with the MCJ 2020 KC reunion planning committee and the thoughts I'm sharing reflect our collective thinking regarding reunion planning.

One final thought regarding the feasibility of staging the reunion this year. Going forward, our society will have to adapt to new ways of interacting with each other in groups. Social distancing, wearing masks, food service, large meetings, just being able to hug your loved ones not in your immediate household are all things that will have to change to adapt to the new reality. Until a vaccine is developed, until effective treatments are available, events of the kind we're used to are very inadvisable. We don't see that changing dramatically in just over (4) months from now.

Well, that's about it MCJ, we hope and pray that you all remain safe from harm and you and your families will be able to come together with us as soon as possible. Until then, be blessed and give love to all in your presence.

Much Love,

MCJ 2020 KC Reunion Planning Committee