The last almost regular event of the month of March was the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) advisory council meeting in Sacramento on March 12th. Included in this issue are positive licensing and enforcement reports from that meeting. While the meeting was lightly addended, more than a few participated by conference call, those of us in attendance enjoyed a relatively collegial environment while discussing ideas and actions in support of the consumer, regulator, and regulated industry. Even though COVID 19 had already had a major impact on the people and economy of China and we had heard of cases in the United States and other parts of the globe we were yet to feel the critical urgency that now exists.

From the end of the meeting until now the month seems like a blur.  Members calls and emails, understandably, with concerns and positions on whether or not CMSA should move ahead with the Convention or wanting information on Shelter in Place (SIP) orders. Hopefully you read my letter to registered attendees on the cover of this issue. Negotiations with the Kauai Marriott that evolved from difficult to, when inevitable, a more gracious parting of ways. I must thank the CMSA Board of Directors and my staff for their support during this process and particularly CMSA counsel Mark Hegarty and CMSA member attorney Gregg Garfinkel with Stone | Dean LLP for their advice and guidance through the delicate path of our convention contract cancelation. The work weeks have been 7/11. One positive this month was notifying the 26 CMSA Scholarship recipients of their selection. We had a strong field of applicants and while we could not give scholarships to all, we can be proud of a program that is the best and most generous in our industry.

The Chaotic and rapidly evolving nature of our Government’s reaction to this National Emergency has made it even more challenging for our Association and our membership. California with its 39.5 million residents in 58 counties was quickly impacted by the Pandemic. Many counties reacted by drafting their own SIP’s then quickly shuttered their offices making it impossible to get clarity regarding documents that were less than clear. The California Legislature, which one would think could really earn their keep at this critical time, showed their definition of leadership by quickly packing up their circus tent and adjourned from March 16 until at least April 13.

CMSA has been involved with calls from US TransCom on their position on military moving during the Pandemic, that position appears to have less and less clarity as the month rolls on. We have been invited to participate in conference calls and emails with the California Office of Emergency Services, Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit. We have sent out Broadcast emails to all members related to: Specific County and then Statewide Shelter in Place orders, Movers Provide Essential Services, and Possible Document for Members to Place in Trucks – explaining essential service exemption from SIP. We have added COVID 19 information for movers and on moving to the CMSA Facebook page.

March/April 2020 - CMSA Communicator