Letter from the President

Hello SDPCA Members!

We made it. In this New Year, we find ourselves together in distance. Have you reflected upon 2020? When I think about the negative aspects of 2020, I seem to end in a tailspin. Focusing on the positive aspects of 2020 however, seem to power our aircraft to idle, put the ailerons to neutral, and add rudder opposite to spin. Those are the first three of four steps to spin recovery, when an aircraft goes into a tailspin (according to boldmethod “The Four Steps of Spin Recovery”). The fourth step is to elevator forward, or to fly forward out of the tailspin and recover control of the flight and aircraft. Here’s to 2021, as we elevator forward to recovering from the effects of the pandemic, whatever they may be for you.

Although we are unsure of when our activities will resume to in person and unmasked, the SDPCA will continue to do our best to offer virtual events. Throughout the year, we have been able to partner with SDPCA members to offer dynamic virtual events. Karen Lindquist collaborated with Sharon Kennedy to offer the ongoing and popular Book Club, as well as socially distant cooking for Rachel’s house with Lynne. We have had several virtual educational events, with presentations by Judy Stout, Paul Courtright and Paul Pometto. Sara Szunyogh has offered SDPCA members the opportunity to relax and center ourselves with virtual yoga several times.

We also have had incredible virtual and socially distant events hosted by our board members. There have been virtual art classes with Alia, belly dancing class with Tina, virtual happy hour and advocacy events with Danielle, virtual Trivia with Colleen, and a virtual cooking class with Sarah. When restrictions were not so stringent this past summer and early fall, our board members were able to organize fun outdoor events: a beach clean-up with Genny, paddleboard yoga with Vic, swimming with sea lions with Alia, wine tasting with Colleen, and kayaking with Lynne.

It amazes me to look back on what we have come together as a community to offer one another over this past year. Now, more than ever, our ability to offer and plan our beloved in-person events for our membership faces extreme uncertainty with COVID-19 cases at an all-time high. The SDPCA will continue to follow public health guidelines for safety to keep our members safe. Lynne worked hard to organize a Holiday Lights walk in December and Genny had a hike planned for January 1^st. Both events were canceled for our safety.

We thank you in advance for your flexibility. You may get shorter notice than usual for an event offered, so please be on the lookout for evites for these events just a few short weeks before the event occurs.                    

A big thank you to all who offered virtual events. Please reach out to us if you would like to host an upcoming virtual event. I am sure there are talented SDPCA members out there who can teach us a new skill, or speak on an interesting subject. The SDPCA board will organize the virtual venue and evites - all you would need to do is present.

This January, please join us for the events we currently have planned: virtual informational session on human trafficking hosted  by Brittany on January 14^th and January 27^th for the monthly book club.

Stay safe and healthy,

Ashley Smallwood
Ecuador, 2004-07