As we were very much looking forward to going to Cleveland in October for the JASNA Annual General Meeting, we were sad when it was canceled*, though we agree with the decision and feel it was the responsible thing to do. However, we (by which I mean all JASNA members, not using the royal we in this case) will still be able to enjoy an AGM this year, virtually!

The theme remains the same: Jane Austen’s Juvenilia: Reason, Romanticism, and Revolution. There will be plenary sessions, breakout sessions, special events, special interest sessions, even a virtual promenade.

The most exciting thing about this virtual AGM is that there are no limits on how many people can attend. So this year there will be no tedious drama about an early sellout or problems with getting a hotel room. You can attend from your own sofa, in your pajamas if you so desire. (Pajamas + tiara = always a good combination.)

As always, one must be a member in good standing of JASNA to attend the virtual AGM, and it is not a free event. But the cost is considerably less than a live AGM, where one must pay for meals and conference space in one’s conference fee, not to mention travel and hotel costs. And you will get good value for your money: the lineup of plenary speakers is outstanding and, as always, we will have a hard time choosing which breakout sessions to attend. However, it’s not a tragedy, as all the sessions will be available to registered attendees to view for 30 days after the event. So even if you can’t be there on the weekend of the AGM, you can watch the sessions afterwards.

If you’re interested in attending, check out the AGM website for detalis and a link to register. If you are not currently a JASNA member, you can join now and still attend. Registration closes on September 30, 2020, so make haste!

We have sent our registration and are truly looking forward to attending this new style of AGM in the current Interesting Times, as well as looking forward to more traditional events in the future. This time will pass, Gentle Readers, and some normalcy will return eventually; but let’s make the best of this in the meantime.

*They had some really cool events planned. We were especially looking forward to the tour to Put-In-Bay, Ohio, with a presentation about the Battle of Lake Erie, because we are a giant tall ship nerd. Our understanding is that the Ohio North Coast Region will have the opportunity to host an upcoming non-virtual AGM, and we look forward to attending!