I'm a planner. I usually have a plan A, B, C, etc., for most things in my life. It's the way I trick myself into getting excited about sub-optimal future occurrences, and I think it provides me with my Pollyanna attitude about many things. COVID-19 is challenging my "systems" as I try to plan for the ASPECT 2020 conference in November and for ways to support ASPECT members throughout this crisis. Finding certainty within the uncertainty is yielding opportunities for which we can all be optimistic.

Certainty: 

We will have an ASPECT conference on November 5 & 6 of this year. 

Uncertainty:

It may be a virtual one because even if the social distancing measures are lifted, ASPECT members may not feel comfortable flying to the event nor have the financial capacity to send staff.

Opportunity: 

We can draw on speakers from around the world to present and more people may be able to attend if travel expenses are not a factor.

Certainty: 

When the COVID-19 crisis is over, service providers will be extremely busy helping people find and prepare for employment. 

Uncertainty:

We don't know when to expect the end of the crisis or the end of this wave of infections.

Opportunity: 

It may be a good time to recruit for positions and upskill existing staff to get their career development certifications or prepare staff for leadership within your organization. Career developers will be an important part of getting our economy back up and running. See the Canadian Career Development Foundations' report: Career Development Perspectives on  COVID-19.

Certainty: 

ASPECT will continue to hold weekly virtual member discussions throughout the crisis.

Uncertainty:

We cannot provide a list of topics in advance.

Opportunity:

As we have seen in past calls, members are sharing information with each other, brainstorming solutions, and strengthening their relationships with each other. The next member discussion will be on Wednesday, April 22 at 1 pm.