As the calendar moves us closer to the end of the year, it would not be an exaggeration to say that, like everyone else, the Southern California Chapter couldn't be more eager to bring 2020 to a close. A year that started out with great expectations and excitement for the Chapter; quickly found itself in a correction course for the upcoming year due to COVID-19. Scheduled in person events quickly became educational webinars; student award presentations went from in-person to online; firms participated virtually in PARKing Day designs; and virtual happy hours became the newest way to end the day with friends and colleagues. Could anyone predict that Zoom would become the king of social connection in our new world?

The Chapter was faced with a difficult decision in the spring. While other ASLA Chapters and many other organizations, for that matter, were opting to coordinate online virtual awards programs, the Southern California Chapter made the decision to postpone our Quality of Life Design Awards until 2021. As one of the single biggest events and productions the Chapter puts on every other year, the leadership was in agreement that the members did not need another virtual event.

 
Sixteen students received 2020 ASLA Student Honor and Merit Awards. Those awarded included eight students from Cal Poly Pomona; five students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; one student from the UCLA Extension program; and two students from the University of Southern California.
A new tradition that began last year under Pamela Brief's leadership was to check in with our past presidents and trustees. Invitations went out to all past leaders who served going all the way back to the 70's. Engaging them in an advisory capacity, we held a virtual happy hour in late summer to hear their thoughts and ideas about current issues facing ASLA. And, as a result, we have determined that the Chapter will seek to engage with our past leaders at least twice yearly.

As one of the most consequential issues of 2020, ASLA joined millions of people around the world in mourning the death of George Floyd. The ASLA mission statement is central to the work we do as a Chapter. The healthy, equitable, safe and resilient environments of tomorrow depend on the actions we take today to combat systemic racism. The Southern California Chapter Executive Committee commits to taking these actions and to reporting our progress to our membership in accordance with the organization's mission in support of building equitable environments for communities in Southern California.

Pamela Brief ends her two-year term as Chapter president following the conclusion of reVISION ASLA 2020; but will not be lacking for other challenging roles. In addition to being principal of her own firm, Pamela Studios, effective November 2020, Ms. Brief has been appointed to the Landscape Architecture Technical Committee by Governor Gavin Newsom and will also serve on the UCLA Extension Program Guidance Committee.

The Chapter's Executive Committee held their annual leadership retreat virtually this year in late October. Carlos Flores who became Chapter president along with all newly elected leaders that were seated following the conclusion of the 2020 reVISION ASLA conference in mid- November.
The Southern California Chapter wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2020.