COVID-19 CLOSURE information
LAST UPDATE: APRIL 12, 2020, 8:00PM
WHY WAS THE FENCING CLUB CLOSED?
The club was officially closed as of Tuesday, March 17 for two reasons:
1. Governor Hogan orders all gyms & athletic facilities closed.
2. USA Fencing suspended all liability coverage for fencing clubs.
On the first point, the club had some wiggle room to stay open, as our fencing club falls outside the the state of Maryland's legal definition of a gym. I was looking into doing lessons outdoors, in people's driveways and the like, but then I received the insurance notice from the national office. On that point, the club has no wiggle room. The club's liability insurance is from USA Fencing's insurer. We cannot operate without liability insurance. Soon after, the governor ordered all non-essential activity to stop, so there was nothing left to do. Initially USA Fencing suspended liability insurance through April 6, but recently they changed this date to April 20. At this time it is impossible to predict when they will allow clubs to resume normal operations.
ARE YOU DOING ANY KIND OF ONLINE FENCING TRAINING/TEACHING?
USA Fencing says that their liability insurance will not be extended to online teaching, so we technically cannot teach remotely. Fencing is not something that lends itself to distance learning. Some clubs say they are doing lessons online but I don't know how. Most clubs are not. That said, I have put some footwork exercises on the web site, and I hope to have blade technique learning/exercises in the future, as well as refereeing, equipment maintenance/repair, and the like. These periphery skills are important for a fencer's development, and they are far better suited for online learning.
Here is the link for the online learning page: TRAINING
WHAT IS THE OVERALL STATUS OF THE CLUB?
We are in a holding pattern, waiting for word from USA Fencing when to re-open. The landlord of the club's building has been paid through the end of April for rent. He put in an application for a pause on his mortgage payments. Assuming that pause is approved, we will be able to keep the club space and re-open at a later date and resume operations. If that pause is not approved, we could be obligated to continue to pay rent, and then things will likely get difficult.
IS THERE ANY REFUND FOR THE MARCH PAYMENT?
Since we closed because of force majeure (i.e. act of God), there are no refunds for the 9 days of of March we had left when we were obligated to close. Typically money collected at the beginning of the month is spent on bills due from the previous month and rent which will be due the next month. I apologize for that situation, but this is one of the hazards of a sole proprietorship business model which subsists on monthly payments.
WHY WAS THERE AN APRIL PAYMENT?
April's payment is being held on to in the event that another rent payment comes due for May, as well as my expenses, as now the club is my only source of income and I am unable to take alternative employment because I have parenting obligations and summer camp contractual obligations. I am currently obligated to stay home for full time child care and I am unable to work outside my home in any capacity. My plan is to have your April payment count as your first month's payment once the club reopens. For example, if the club can reopen in May, your April payment instead counts for May, and regular payments would resume in June.
WHY DID I GET A PAYMENTS SUSPENDED NOTICE FROM PAYPAL?
While most of you voiced support for continuing with playing club dues (and I am very grateful for that), I decided to suspend payments before we got into an uncomfortable situation of asking people to pay when they may not be inclined (or able) to do so. Club members who pay at the beginning of each month should have received a payments suspended notice from PayPal today. For now I want to pause collecting dues until I have a better idea of what the future holds.
IF SCHOOLS STAY CLOSED, WILL THE CLUB STAY CLOSED?
The schools have a lot of logistics behind their open/close decisions that we do not have to worry about. I will be looking to re-open as soon as it is reasonably safe (and legal) for us to do so.
WHAT ABOUT NON-REOCCURING FEES PAID FOR SUMMER CAMP, INTRODUCTORY CLASSES, ETC.?
You will not lose what have paid for classes or camps. Introductory classes will resume once we re-open and all who have paid for them will be able to re-enroll without paying again. The one week summer camp in June is still scheduled. If the situation requires it, the week will be rescheduled into August, and you will still have full credit for it.
ARE YOU SEEKING HELP FROM GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS?
Yes. I have applied for unemployment (the recent expansion of unemployment now includes sole proprietor/contractors like me, and I have some traditional W2 work from substitute teaching which counts towards unemployment) and I am looking at the possibility of state grants and SBA loans. I want to keep the club going full steam, but I have be judicious in how much debt I take on.
WHAT IF PEOPLE WANT TO DONATE/HELP TO KEEP THE CLUB GOING?
Several families and individuals have reached out with offers of assistance, and a couple have already proactively sent money. I cannot tell you how encouraging that is for me, and I thank you all very much. Once I have a better idea of what is happening with the club (i.e. news from the landlord, a decision from state unemployment, etc.) I may set something up, if needed.
COULD THE CLUB GO OUT OF BUSINESS?
Yes, but please understand: this is a possibility I have been living with every day for 12 years. Our business model is not a robust one with protections for such exceptional circumstances. The club has had ups and downs before and with community support we've always pulled through. This current situation is the most difficult one the club has ever had to deal with, but it is what it is. I will be doing anything and everything I can reasonably do to see that the club remains intact and viable. If things get really bad, we might have to move to a new location, which may or may not entail closing for a short period of time to dismantle, pack up, relocate, and so on. I have been at this location for 12 years, and I'd like to stay there if I can manage it. It's far too soon to get into detailed speculation about moving or closing.
The club was officially closed as of Tuesday, March 17 for two reasons:
1. Governor Hogan orders all gyms & athletic facilities closed.
2. USA Fencing suspended all liability coverage for fencing clubs.
On the first point, the club had some wiggle room to stay open, as our fencing club falls outside the the state of Maryland's legal definition of a gym. I was looking into doing lessons outdoors, in people's driveways and the like, but then I received the insurance notice from the national office. On that point, the club has no wiggle room. The club's liability insurance is from USA Fencing's insurer. We cannot operate without liability insurance. Soon after, the governor ordered all non-essential activity to stop, so there was nothing left to do. Initially USA Fencing suspended liability insurance through April 6, but recently they changed this date to April 20. At this time it is impossible to predict when they will allow clubs to resume normal operations.
ARE YOU DOING ANY KIND OF ONLINE FENCING TRAINING/TEACHING?
USA Fencing says that their liability insurance will not be extended to online teaching, so we technically cannot teach remotely. Fencing is not something that lends itself to distance learning. Some clubs say they are doing lessons online but I don't know how. Most clubs are not. That said, I have put some footwork exercises on the web site, and I hope to have blade technique learning/exercises in the future, as well as refereeing, equipment maintenance/repair, and the like. These periphery skills are important for a fencer's development, and they are far better suited for online learning.
Here is the link for the online learning page: TRAINING
WHAT IS THE OVERALL STATUS OF THE CLUB?
We are in a holding pattern, waiting for word from USA Fencing when to re-open. The landlord of the club's building has been paid through the end of April for rent. He put in an application for a pause on his mortgage payments. Assuming that pause is approved, we will be able to keep the club space and re-open at a later date and resume operations. If that pause is not approved, we could be obligated to continue to pay rent, and then things will likely get difficult.
IS THERE ANY REFUND FOR THE MARCH PAYMENT?
Since we closed because of force majeure (i.e. act of God), there are no refunds for the 9 days of of March we had left when we were obligated to close. Typically money collected at the beginning of the month is spent on bills due from the previous month and rent which will be due the next month. I apologize for that situation, but this is one of the hazards of a sole proprietorship business model which subsists on monthly payments.
WHY WAS THERE AN APRIL PAYMENT?
April's payment is being held on to in the event that another rent payment comes due for May, as well as my expenses, as now the club is my only source of income and I am unable to take alternative employment because I have parenting obligations and summer camp contractual obligations. I am currently obligated to stay home for full time child care and I am unable to work outside my home in any capacity. My plan is to have your April payment count as your first month's payment once the club reopens. For example, if the club can reopen in May, your April payment instead counts for May, and regular payments would resume in June.
WHY DID I GET A PAYMENTS SUSPENDED NOTICE FROM PAYPAL?
While most of you voiced support for continuing with playing club dues (and I am very grateful for that), I decided to suspend payments before we got into an uncomfortable situation of asking people to pay when they may not be inclined (or able) to do so. Club members who pay at the beginning of each month should have received a payments suspended notice from PayPal today. For now I want to pause collecting dues until I have a better idea of what the future holds.
IF SCHOOLS STAY CLOSED, WILL THE CLUB STAY CLOSED?
The schools have a lot of logistics behind their open/close decisions that we do not have to worry about. I will be looking to re-open as soon as it is reasonably safe (and legal) for us to do so.
WHAT ABOUT NON-REOCCURING FEES PAID FOR SUMMER CAMP, INTRODUCTORY CLASSES, ETC.?
You will not lose what have paid for classes or camps. Introductory classes will resume once we re-open and all who have paid for them will be able to re-enroll without paying again. The one week summer camp in June is still scheduled. If the situation requires it, the week will be rescheduled into August, and you will still have full credit for it.
ARE YOU SEEKING HELP FROM GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS?
Yes. I have applied for unemployment (the recent expansion of unemployment now includes sole proprietor/contractors like me, and I have some traditional W2 work from substitute teaching which counts towards unemployment) and I am looking at the possibility of state grants and SBA loans. I want to keep the club going full steam, but I have be judicious in how much debt I take on.
WHAT IF PEOPLE WANT TO DONATE/HELP TO KEEP THE CLUB GOING?
Several families and individuals have reached out with offers of assistance, and a couple have already proactively sent money. I cannot tell you how encouraging that is for me, and I thank you all very much. Once I have a better idea of what is happening with the club (i.e. news from the landlord, a decision from state unemployment, etc.) I may set something up, if needed.
COULD THE CLUB GO OUT OF BUSINESS?
Yes, but please understand: this is a possibility I have been living with every day for 12 years. Our business model is not a robust one with protections for such exceptional circumstances. The club has had ups and downs before and with community support we've always pulled through. This current situation is the most difficult one the club has ever had to deal with, but it is what it is. I will be doing anything and everything I can reasonably do to see that the club remains intact and viable. If things get really bad, we might have to move to a new location, which may or may not entail closing for a short period of time to dismantle, pack up, relocate, and so on. I have been at this location for 12 years, and I'd like to stay there if I can manage it. It's far too soon to get into detailed speculation about moving or closing.