By Eirikah Delaunay

The CSPC’s December Board Meeting is coming up next week from 7:00-9:00 pm on Wednesday, 12/13/2023! Everyone is welcome to attend. This month, the Board will be sharing our usual reports and an update on the efforts toward increasing transparency in incident reporting and reconsidering the CSPC’s mandatory masking policy.

During our last reconsideration of the masking policy, we announced that our next review of this policy would take place in February 2024. Changing policies related to events requires a minimum of 30 days notice of the change in order to make sure that our policies are clearly stated in all ticketing links. This practice is intended to allow fully informed member consent to the policies in effect prior to purchasing a ticket. Therefore, the Board will address this issue with a discussion and vote on a motion related to changing our policy to optional masking at events at our meeting this month.

Motion on Masking Policy Changes:

I move that the CSPC transition from its policy of mandatory masking with a KN95 or equivalent mask except when actively eating, drinking, or using one's mouth in a scene to optional masking in keeping with each individual's risk profile. KN95 masks will continue to be provided for use as desired, but volunteers will no longer enforce the mandatory masking policy. This policy change will be effective as of February 1, 2024, to allow members to purchase tickets with full knowledge of and consent to the new policy prior to implementation; all events prior to that date will still be under the current mandatory masking policy.

This change is aligned with current public health measures in effect in the State of Washington. The Board reserves the right and responsibility to revisit this decision as changing public health conditions require. We continue to recommend vaccination, voluntary masking, and regular hand washing/sanitizing to reduce the spread of infectious diseases including COVID, flu, and RSV. The CSPC is also pursuing options to improve ventilation and air quality at Gallery Erato to further protect our community at our events.

This is an important decision that affects all CSPC members. If you have something to say on this matter, please email board@thecspc.org and/or attend the online Board Meeting on Wednesday December 13, from 7-9pm. All emails related to the masking policy will be considered by Board Members as they prepare to vote at this meeting. Emails will not be replied to individually but rather discussed generally before and at the Board Meeting. After the introduction of the motion, members will be invited to share their thoughts (2-3 minute time limit per person, depending on the number of folx who wish to speak) prior to the Board’s vote.

What do you have to say? Click here for information on how to join us next week via Zoom!