Dear Canadian Mentoring Symposium Delegates,
On behalf of the Canadian Mentoring Partnership and event organizers for the March 24-26, 2020, Canadian Mentoring Symposium 2020 and MP Awareness Day, we wish to inform you that we will not be holding a place-based event in Ottawa due to the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We are also cancelling the March 12, 2020, 11-12pm EST Day on the Hill Pre-event Training webinar.
Sadly, and considering the pernicious presence and spread of the coronavirus internationally, including in recent days in Canada, it would be irresponsible to encourage or expect attendees to travel when they could be exposed to a communicable disease and return to their homes transmitting an illness to family and friends even before it manifests itself.
For the last six months, we have anticipated a physical convening in Ottawa where we would collaborate to collectively grow the mentoring movement across Canada. We still desire to create an authentic and meaningful experience for those who had expected to attend but need to put the health and safety of delegates above all else.
As an immediate first step, we will be hosting a virtual meeting March 25th 1:00PM EST – 3:00PM EST that will allow us to share with you an overview of the CMP initiative, our 4 strategic pillars and our plans on how to engage you in the co-creation of a pan- Canadian Mentoring Strategy. This will be the first of a series of online conversations that will be informed by your feedback and questions. In the coming weeks, you will receive more detailed information on our website, social media channels and through our newsletter about the virtual meetings.
We are sharing this cancellation notice now so you can change your travel arrangements. We are in the process of identifying the best way to issue refunds for the registration fee as well as hotel for those who booked through the registration portal. We will communicate additional information as soon as we know further details.
Warm wishes and be well,
The Canadian Mentoring Partnership