Coronavirus Update

May 6, 2020

To the Council Community:

The Council is a nonprofit organization that relies on the financial support of members and donors to provide you with up-to-date information and incisive insights while engaging you in dialogue about what is happening in the world and what it means. Although we will not be hosting in-person events until further notice, our long-term investment and commitment to digital technology has enabled us to bring you experts such as Eurasia Group’s Ian Bremmer, New America’s Anne-Marie Slaughter, and WHO’s David Nabarro to name just a few. And the conversations – ranging from “Has China Won?” to “Avoiding a Looming Food Crisis” – are as illuminating and insightful as ever.

All we have learned during this time about how to host virtual events, facilitate engaging dialogues online, and create a sense of community digitally will serve us well as the Council approaches its second century. Rather than being a temporary solution for an extraordinary time, our commitment to expanding your experience with the Council is propelling us into a more digital future. Even as we look forward to the day when we can reconnect with you in person, we are committed to deepening our long-term engagement with you online.

Ivo H. Daalder
President, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
 


March 18, 2020

To the Council Community:

With new guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control that recommend avoiding gatherings of 50 people or more for the next few months, the Council is canceling all in-person public events through at least June 5. Unfortunately, this includes cancelation of the Pritzker Forum on Global Cities, which was scheduled to take place in Chicago June 3 to 5. Those registered for any events through June 5 will receive event-specific notifications regarding cancelations or postponements.  

Everyone at the Council is working hard (though remotely) to shift the format of many of these events online via live streams, videos, conference calls, and podcasts. We are also creating additional digital content on how cities around the world are tackling this pandemic, how it will affect the global economy, and how it might affect political development in the United States and around the world. 

We will share details as they are confirmed via our website, social media, and regular email communications. We are as committed as ever to being THE organization in Chicago that provides you with ways to engage in conversations on what’s happening in the world and why it matters, even if those conversations have to take place virtually for now. 

The Council was founded in 1922, a time of growing isolationism after World War I and the Spanish Flu outbreak that killed millions. Our founders believed that the United States must take an active role in world affairs to ensure prosperity and security for all Americans, and that it would be best positioned to do that effectively with a public that was informed and engaged in the issues.  

For nearly 100 years, the Council has been providing a forum in Chicago for people to come together to discuss global challenges. We have weathered many national and global challenges including WWII, September 11, and the 2008 global financial crisis thanks to the support of members and donors, people like you who recognize the importance of the Council to Chicago. We are now facing another transformational moment and incredible uncertainty about what the future holds. But it is imperative that we remain connected to you and continue to offer insights, make policy recommendations, and foster dialogue on critical global issues.  

We are a nonprofit organization. We survive on the support of our members, like you. We will be affected by the cancelations of our in-person events, not only the revenue they generate but also because they drive our ability to attract and retain members and donors. Your financial support of the Council is more needed than ever. 

As we continue to look for ways to shift our content to fit our new reality, will you consider making an additional gift of $50, $100 or even $500, donating any event attendance fee you have paid for canceled events, or encouraging someone you know to join the Council? Your support will help us continue to provide you with relevant and timely global affairs content during this challenging time. Thank you! 

In the meantime, please keep safe and healthy! 

Best regards,
Ivo

Ivo H. Daalder | President
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
@IvoHDaalder


March 11, 2020

To the Council Community:

With the health and well-being of our community in mind, we are cancelling or postponing Council events until at least April 1, including the Global Food Security Symposium in Washington, DC on March 26. Those registered for any upcoming events between today, March 11, and April 1 will receive event-specific notifications regarding cancellations or postponements and event refund information via email. 
 
We will continue to produce digital content such as our Deep Dish podcast and our video series #AskIvo and Wait Just a Minute and are exploring opportunities to add conference calls and other digital content over the next few weeks. Please check our home page thechicagocouncil.org regularly, follow the Council on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our Global Insight email, Deep Dish podcast, and YouTube channel to receive notifications about our latest digital content. 
 
Thank you for your support of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. We will do our best to continue providing you valuable insights on what’s happening in the world and why it matters as we adjust our operations and activities during this challenging time. 


Best regards,
Ivo

Ivo H. Daalder | President
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
@IvoHDaalder

 

March 10, 2020

To the Council Community:

The health and safety of our community – members, event attendees, speakers, and staff – is our highest priority. As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the country, I wanted to share some of the actions the Council is taking.

Based on the guidance we’ve received and the actions we are taking, we are continuing to hold in-house events and  doing all we can to make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and welcome. We are in close contact with all of our speakers who are traveling from elsewhere to ensure they are comfortable traveling and themselves pose no risk to our community. We are assessing the situation on a day-by-day basis, and will make decisions on future events or cancelling public programming entirely with the health and safety of our community as our top priority. We will proactively communicate with you any changes to scheduled events that do occur.

As this situation continues to evolve, we will closely monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials and rely on their recommendations and expertise to inform our decisions.

As a result, we are:

  • Increasing the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitization in our Conference Center, office, and working with any external venues to do the same.
  • Making alcohol-based hand sanitizer available throughout the Conference Center and our office, adding signage encouraging event attendees to use it at any point during events, and asking event attendees to refrain from shaking hands.
  • Informing registered attendees of these actions and reminding them via event confirmation emails not to attend Council events if they have any symptoms that could indicate an illness, including a fever and/or a cough.
  • Communicating any event cancellations, postponements, or shifts in format with registered attendees and posting notifications on the Events page of our website for all to see.
  • Making it possible for our employees to work from home if they have symptoms that could indicate a contagious illness, such as a fever and/or a cough.
     

All of us at the Council understand that this issue is cause for concern to many, and we offer our deepest sympathies to those who have already been affected. As the situation evolves, we will continue to make decisions with the health and well-being of our community as our uppermost priority.

Best regards,
Ivo

Ivo H. Daalder | President
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
@IvoHDaalder