Hi Everyone,
The June ROCStock event scheduled for the 12th, 13th and 14th is officially cancelled.
The ROC Board of Directors has been coordinating with Federal and County Officials with respect to returning ROC to operations soon. As you can see from other stores and industries around us, there’s been a lot of change happening in the past few weeks and we expect more changes (both positive and negative) to occur over the next several months.
The ROC Board of Directors has been coordinating with Federal and County Officials with respect to returning ROC to operations soon. As you can see from other stores and industries around us, there’s been a lot of change happening in the past few weeks and we expect more changes (both positive and negative) to occur over the next several months.
As we move to implement a gradual return to launching activities, we would like all of our members and friends to remember the following:
1) ROC’s BoD is a volunteer group that all have other obligations, some of which have increased during this Pandemic,
2) We are not a “business” in that if we don’t launch we’ll “go out of business” so the County treats us with that priority,
2) We are working from the best information that we can get from County health authorities,
3) This process is going to be slow and will probably take months to return to our regular operations.
1) ROC’s BoD is a volunteer group that all have other obligations, some of which have increased during this Pandemic,
2) We are not a “business” in that if we don’t launch we’ll “go out of business” so the County treats us with that priority,
2) We are working from the best information that we can get from County health authorities,
3) This process is going to be slow and will probably take months to return to our regular operations.
We have an Event Operations Plan that we file with authorities on how our launches are run. The current version is “Version 2020(a)” and can be found here: https://rocstock.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/eventopsplan-rev-a.pdf. This version has a new appendix that covers how ROC will handle our operations during this COVID Recovery Period. Please take some time to read the three page Appendix. This is a very conservative approach to operating. Like most businesses, we will take things slowly and make modifications as we go. Hopefully, next year sometime we’ll be able to delete these modifications completely.
ROC is a volunteer organization and you see that getting us back on the lakebed is going to take some significant work by the BoD to pull off. If you have time and/or resources, please let us know as we can use all the help we can get to make this happen.
ROC is a volunteer organization and you see that getting us back on the lakebed is going to take some significant work by the BoD to pull off. If you have time and/or resources, please let us know as we can use all the help we can get to make this happen.
Some highlights / changes to our operations…all temporary, but deemed necessary:
1) For the time being, you have to already be an Executive Member of ROC (as of June 1st, 2020) to launch with us.
We will be closed to the Public. No walk-ons, no signing up at the launch, no youth groups. During this initial phase, we have to try to limit the amount of folks out on the lakebed. As we work out procedures and see what works and what doesn’t, we’ll gradually open this up until we are fully open.
2) You will have to waive your ability to sue us if you get sick or make someone else sick.
It may sound silly, but we’ve been sued for less before…as a BoD, we are required to protect the club’s assets.
3) You cannot be at the launch unless you are actively launching.
For right now, no “extras”, no spectators or friends “just checking things out”. No coming out just to socialize…bummer. We’re also limiting the bringing of small children (under 6) as they will require extra attention and they usually don’t participate in launching.
4) If you are sick or live with anyone sick, you will need to stay home.
This should be obvious, but must be stated.
5) You must properly wear a mask when within 50 feet of the range head. You must practice Social Distancing.
This is a typically congested area and even with social distancing, we need you to wear a mask. Don’t agree? Stay Home.
6) You must bring your own sanitation and personal protective equipment.
ROC will be providing some hand sanitizer and gloves for volunteers, but otherwise you’re on your own.
7) You will need to bring all your own supplies. Please do not share your supplies with people outside your household.
8) To minimize contact we are looking at online pre-registration for launches.
1) For the time being, you have to already be an Executive Member of ROC (as of June 1st, 2020) to launch with us.
We will be closed to the Public. No walk-ons, no signing up at the launch, no youth groups. During this initial phase, we have to try to limit the amount of folks out on the lakebed. As we work out procedures and see what works and what doesn’t, we’ll gradually open this up until we are fully open.
2) You will have to waive your ability to sue us if you get sick or make someone else sick.
It may sound silly, but we’ve been sued for less before…as a BoD, we are required to protect the club’s assets.
3) You cannot be at the launch unless you are actively launching.
For right now, no “extras”, no spectators or friends “just checking things out”. No coming out just to socialize…bummer. We’re also limiting the bringing of small children (under 6) as they will require extra attention and they usually don’t participate in launching.
4) If you are sick or live with anyone sick, you will need to stay home.
This should be obvious, but must be stated.
5) You must properly wear a mask when within 50 feet of the range head. You must practice Social Distancing.
This is a typically congested area and even with social distancing, we need you to wear a mask. Don’t agree? Stay Home.
6) You must bring your own sanitation and personal protective equipment.
ROC will be providing some hand sanitizer and gloves for volunteers, but otherwise you’re on your own.
7) You will need to bring all your own supplies. Please do not share your supplies with people outside your household.
8) To minimize contact we are looking at online pre-registration for launches.
As you can see, this is going to seriously put a dent in our social launch atmosphere…but that’s kind of the point if you think about it. In order to get back to flying, we have to limit the interactions for a while. Let’s all look forward to the days when we don’t need this policy and can be more relaxed and open.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your patience.
Mike Ostby,
ROC President
Mike Ostby,
ROC President
Rocketry Organization of California 