As the world contends with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to send our best wishes to you and your group. We're all in this together.

Many of you are likely facing major disruption to your lives and, with this, your plans for your local groups. We’ve been inspired to see folks shift their events and outreach online; in uncertain times your leadership can help to provide focus and structure for your community members. We want to thank you for your efforts and support you to continue this important work. 

This weekend, EA Global is taking place virtually, from 10:30am to 2:30pm Pacific Time on Saturday and Sunday (find in your timezone). 

• Anyone can watch the live talks or view the ‘Ask me Anything’ posts on the EA Forum — please spread the word to your members and encourage them to get involved! 

• As part of the activities, a virtual group organisers’ meetup is happening via Zoom on Saturday 9am Pacific Time (find in your timezone). To choose your discussion rooms please fill in this form, and join the meetup on this Zoom link. 

• As always, taking care of yourself is the first step in helping others. Please avoid taking unnecessary risks and ensure you’re following current expert advice

• Invest time and effort in your own self-care. If you’re doing some amount of social distancing, we understand it may be challenging. Consider reading Julia Wise’s post on Finding Equilibrium

• If you’d like to chat with CEA’s Groups team, feel free to schedule a call with Catherine via catherine@centreforeffectivealtruism.org

• Share your ideas and event reports for virtual events to inspire and inform others

• Connect with nearby organisers on Slack (join here) to collaborate on your virtual events — for example, this week group organisers in the uk-groups channel hosted a remote discussion group for members of the Sheffield, Manchester and York groups

• If you have spare time, check out the EA Hub resources and contribute new content suggestions, photos and best practices

• Let us know if you have additional project ideas or suggestions for how we might collaborate during this time

• Keep in touch with your community. Consider sending an email like this

• Take the opportunity to schedule virtual one-on-ones to chat about EA, career plans or just check in depending on how people feel

• Keep regular online communications going and consider adding additional opportunities for people to connect

• When sharing content about the pandemic take extra care to ensure your information is evidence-based and focuses on practical steps when possible, to avoid unnecessary confusion and fear.

• Contact Julia or Sky for help with community questions or concerns, e.g. to support members with mental health problems or handling disputes

• Please loop Sky into any journalist media enquiries (including those relating to biosecurity) 

• Apply for funding to cover your group expenses (e.g. Zoom pro)

• See the EA Hub’s Resources for tips for your group

• Join the Facebook group and Slack workspace

Thank you again for everything that you do,

Katie, Harri and Catherine from the Centre for Effective Altruism