Chamber Members,

 

I didn't think my first formal address to you would be related to a global pandemic; however, as the nation and the world grapple with the Coronavirus, it makes sense for me to share a few concerns and updates. 

 

Chamber Business & My Schedule

As many of you are aware, I am in the process of relocating from Illinois. Over the last few weeks, I have been meeting with individuals and groups to learn more about our chamber members and how to better serve the business community.  I would like to continue this outreach, but I will be mindful of everyone's health concerns and follow the CDC advice on greeting individuals without shaking hands.

 

The Colerain Township Senior Center will be closed for at least three weeks beginning Monday, March 16. However, our office will continue to be open with Debi Cobb's office hours 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Debi or me directly at the chamber office 923-5036.

 

Third Thursday @ Vinoklet - SCHEDULED - This event will continue next Thursday, March 19, as scheduled. My feeling is that this event could be a good opportunity for us to discuss the current situation and voice our challenges/concerns with one another. I will be putting together protocol for the event, which includes NOT greeting each other by shaking hands and certainly not participating if you are not feeling well or feel your health will be at risk. Vinoklet continues ongoing efforts to keep the business sanitized, per local health department and CDC guidelines.

 

Leadership Breakfast - March 25 - CANCELLED - As you are aware, Governor DeWine as ordered all Ohio schools to close for three weeks. This also means that our event planned to be held at the Houston Early Learning Center, is cancelled. We will be in contact about when events like this will be rescheduled; watch for additional newsletters, emails and postings on our website. Please be sure to continue to watch for communication about the Northwest Schools.

 

Governor DeWine was on CNN New Day this morning and articulated the state's approach that was extremely professional. To view his interview with Wolf Blitzer from yesterday, see the link here.

 

Hometown Heroes Event - POSTPONED - Given the size and reach of this event (300+ attendees), the chamber leadership and organizing committee agreed that hosting a successful and safe event would be better served sometime after the scheduled April 30 date. As soon as the new event date is available, we will share with members and the general public. We are excited to announce that Rocky Boiman, sports commentator and former NFL player has agreed to be our headliner and that the introduction of other local "heroes" into the event will make it memorable for everyone. You can read more about Rocky here. 

 

Finally... given all the local changes in our respective lives (cancellation of Opening Day and St. Patrick's Day parades, sporting events, school and government closings, and a 24-7 news frenzy,  let alone the health risks that we face) it is important to remember that we are all apart of a community and need to support one another right now. If you have the opportunity to serve others (deliver a meal, help out with an expense, take care of something for an elderly person in need, share a roll of toilet paper...) we will be a better community for it. Many students, families and small businesses across our community are in need of prayers and support given financial, logistic and other challenges with schools being closed. 

 

Thank you all for your understanding regarding these changes. I hope to meet all of you soon, in the meantime, take care.