Our Tips for Dealing With COVID 19
From the recent postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo to the suspension of national and local sport programs across Canada, we can all feel the impact from the current COVID-19 crisis. Membership bodies, events, clubs, athletes and suppliers to the community are all facing similar challenges, you are not alone. Now is the time more than ever to support and lead one another any way we can.
We have had many conversations with different national and provincial sporting bodies to discuss what are the best next steps to take during this uncertain time. To do our part to help, we have compiled 7 ideas for what sport organization can focus on, given that the next two months will likely be severely impacted for operations and revenue.
We welcome you to comment below with your ideas or suggestions.
Arrange an early go-live date of the 2021 membership season with an extended membership. For example, if your membership is the normal calendar year, opening up membership in July 2020 with extended membership for 18 months.
Begin your event sanctioning applications for 2021 while your administrative to-do list is quite low.
Open the 2021 event season early. By executing 1 & 2 above, you allow the calendar for the 2021 event season to be booked and allow event organizers to open 2021 registration way in advance.
For organizations whose membership season has only gotten started, consider a pro-rated part year membership 2020, for those members that have not signed up yet but who would normally sign up for 2021.
Using this time to accelerate some strategic projects such as implementing some of the new features and tools we provide, such as digital membership cards, so that when things pick back up, these are ready to go!
Launch new items to your branded apparel line with no upfront costs or fulfillment duties – this feature will be available to our clients shortly.
Take the time to evaluate your by-laws and protocols around risk management such as waiver collection, coach accreditation process and safe sport compliance so that on renewal, you are best placed to discuss premiums with your insurance broker.
The aim behind implementing some of these measures is two fold. To send a message to your athletes that in a few months, things will return to normal, to give them hope and help keep spirits up. And secondly, to help maintain your membership revenue by giving athletes different options for different budgets (e.g. 6 month to the end of the year or the 18 month extended). By providing different pricing options, you will see more athletes able and willing to support your organization.
It’s most important to stay safe.
As a 100% Canadian company, we are truly invested in the Canadian sporting community. We are available for business consultations and advisory at this time at reduced rates. Above all else, we hope you remain safe, follow health guidelines, and together we will come out of this.
