Dear AVA Club Presidents and Officers,

The AVA Board of Directors unanimously agreed today to immediately suspend all AVA Traditional events through April 30th, 2020 and recommends all club related events to include group walks, meetings, social gatherings, etc. be postponed through April 30th, 2020. 
The Board of Directors will be monitoring this situation closely and updates will be given regularly as the situation develops.

The Board further recommends clubs listen and follow directions of State, Local and Federal authorities on local circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus.
See attachment for additional Guidelines or visit coronavirus.gov for more information.

During this suspension period we recommend clubs postpone and not cancel events so they can be reactivated in the ESR at a later date should the club decide to reschedule them.  For more information on how to do this see the attachment or contact your Regional Director.  There will be no additional sanctioning fees for events rescheduled as a result of this suspension so long as they are rescheduled during the 2020 calendar year.  The AVA is still discussing what action to take in the case where an event cannot be rescheduled.
More information will be forthcoming as we begin to realize the impact this may have on our clubs and the AVA.

In the meantime, the Board encourages everyone to keep exercising at home by participating in the Appalachian Trail virtual online program!
As an added incentive for a limited time, you can join for only $25.00 and start counting your steps today! (T-shirt not included.)
This was not an easy decision for your Board. However, it is important that we take action to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Your club members are the most valuable part of AVA: America's Walking Club, and it is critical that we do what we can to keep everyone healthy.
Stay Safe So You Can Keep Walking.
Happy trails, 
David Bonewitz, PhD
President
AVA: America's Walking Club


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NATIONAL OFFICE HOURS:
The AVA National Office (HQ) will be operating with an office skeleton crew during business hours until further notice in effort to limit contact with others; 50% of the office team will work from the office and 50% will work from home. 
No visitors will be allowed into the offices without an appointment until further notice.
All employees will be accessible via email during the hours of 9am-5pm.  If you must meet in person with someone from the office please email them to schedule an appointment in advance of your arrival. 
Thank you for your patience as we work through this together.

Henry J. Rosales
Executive Director
[email protected]