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I am writing to inform you that after much deliberation, the MWERA Board has decided to postpone the MWERA annual convention until October 13-15 of 2021. Due to the uncertainty of state mandates regarding the gathering of large groups this upcoming fall, we
believe it is in the organization's best financial interest. The current state of university schedules, changing teaching obligations, decreases in professional development funding, and the current obstacles to educational research also contributed to our
decision. <span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Be assured that this decision was not made lightly or without a great deal of contemplation and discussion. Board members have been in constant contact during the
last two months. We have also been monitoring what other professional organizations are doing and communicating with our hotel and conference site.</span></div>
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While it is disappointing that we cannot gather for the MWERA Annual Convention this October, that motivates us, the Board Members, the Association Council, and the Division Chairs, to create opportunities from this crisis. Stay tuned to see how you will be
able to stay involved in the organization throughout the year. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As always, I appreciate your commitment to MWERA, especially in light of the global pandemic and its long-reaching ramifications. Again, be assured that all decisions have been
made in the best interest of the health of our organization and the health of our members.</span><br>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
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Best,</div>
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Laney Bender-Slack</div>
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MWERA President</div>
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<br>
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<div class="PlainText">Dr. Delane A. Bender-Slack<br>
Associate Professor</div>
<div class="PlainText">Reading/TESOL Program Director<br>
Xavier University<br>
College of Professional Sciences<br>
School of Education<br>
3800 Victory Parkway<br>
Cincinnati, OH 45207-3231<br>
(513) 745-3958</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
I am writing to inform you that after much deliberation, the MWERA Board has decided to postpone the MWERA annual convention until October 13-15 of 2021. Due to the uncertainty of state mandates regarding the gathering of large groups this upcoming fall, we
believe it is in the organization's best financial interest. The current state of university schedules, changing teaching obligations, decreases in professional development funding, and the current obstacles to educational research also contributed to our
decision. <span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Be assured that this decision was not made lightly or without a great deal of contemplation and discussion. Board members have been in constant contact during the
last two months. We have also been monitoring what other professional organizations are doing and communicating with our hotel and conference site.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
While it is disappointing that we cannot gather for the MWERA Annual Convention this October, that motivates us, the Board Members, the Association Council, and the Division Chairs, to create opportunities from this crisis. Stay tuned to see how you will be
able to stay involved in the organization throughout the year. </div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As always, I appreciate your commitment to MWERA, especially in light of the global pandemic and its long-reaching ramifications. Again, be assured that all decisions have been
made in the best interest of the health of our organization and the health of our members.</span><br>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
Best,</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
Laney Bender-Slack</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
MWERA President</div>
<br>
<br>
</div>
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<br>
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<div id="Signature">
<div id="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
<div style="font-family:Tahoma; font-size:13px">
<div class="BodyFragment"><font size="2">
<div class="PlainText">Dr. Delane A. Bender-Slack<br>
Associate Professor</div>
<div class="PlainText">Reading/TESOL Program Director<br>
Xavier University<br>
College of Professional Sciences<br>
School of Education<br>
3800 Victory Parkway<br>
Cincinnati, OH 45207-3231<br>
(513) 745-3958</div>
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