Published on: 23-03-2020

March 23, 2020

Dear TIAFT members,

On behalf of the entire Board, I hope you are staying well. As an organization, TIAFT is monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak that we are all facing during this unprecedented time. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people who have been directly or indirectly impacted by the outbreak. Additionally, we appreciate the healthcare workers, communities, and governments around the world who are on the front line working to contain this coronavirus. We encourage ALL members and their families to follow the simple advice of social distancing and frequent handwashing to help stop the spread of this virus.

As a result of the outbreak, there are some key items that I want you to be aware of:

The deadline for dues payments for Standard Members has been extended to May 31, 2020. The last thing we want you to worry about right now is paying membership dues.

The 2020 Annual TIAFT Meeting is still "on"! Keeping in mind that the meeting is 7+ months away, the entire world is hoping that things can return to normal by November 2020. I invite you to read the message from Meeting Host Alicia Evans on the TIAFT webpage to see how her team is allowing for early registrations to be made with delayed payments. You will also read that some deadlines for the meeting are also being extended.

The deadline for applications for Travel Grants will now be June 1, 2020. The mid-year Board Meeting has been postponed. It is at this meeting that the Board evaluates travel grant applications, so there is now more time for members to complete their applications to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting in Cape Town.

The mailing of the next TIAFT Bulletin is delayed. The printers for the Bulletin have followed the advice and have stopped working for some period of time. This means there will be a delay in our ability to get you the hardcopy of the Bulletin. But do know that the electronic version is available in the Members Area on the TIAFT website.

Be safe and stay well,

Marc LeBeau, PhD
President, TIAFT