The following is a note sent to Meadowlands Chamber members on March 11, 2020.
Good Afternoon,
Disruptions resulting from the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) are being felt by many businesses, including the Meadowlands Chamber. To help navigate the ever-changing situation, the Chamber’s Operating Committee and Management Team have formulated a strategy that applies common sense, a strong commitment to sustaining economic activity and an understanding of factual information provided by our friends at Hackensack Meridian Health.
First, let me assure you that we will do everything in our power to keep you well-informed with medical updates, workplace information and a list of available resources to help you make sound decisions on behalf of your organization and your employees. Our goal is to help keep the wheels of our economy spinning while we all responsibly help stop the spread of this virus. This is a time where strong advocacy by the Chamber to help businesses, especially in the hard-hit industry sectors, is a critical component of our mission. With that in mind, we will aggressively communicate what is happening on the ground to local, county, state and federal officials on your behalf. We will be relentless.
The Chamber seeks to balance operations while acting responsibly in the face of the threat represented by the COVID-19 outbreak. We have implemented a plan that provides work flexibility to our staff but still ensures we can advance Chamber programs and support for our members. However, we recognize there is a varying degree of sensitivity and concern among individuals. We find it both prudent and responsible to reschedule events in March and April to later dates in the year. In some cases, in lieu of in-person events, we will offer virtual sessions via webinars, podcasts and web-based digital methods so you can still receive the “business intelligence” that we know is important to you.
For the most up-to-date information about events and committee meetings, you can check the Chamber’s calendar at meadowlands.org. We will also provide continuous updates on our social media channels (listed at footer of this note) and through our blog meadowlandsmedia.com.
Doing our part to stem the spread of COVID-19 means we must be diligent – and we must adapt to overcome this challenge together! These adjustments will help us maintain business continuity in the near term, while still providing valuable resources and member value to you. We can assist you from near or far, thanks to the new technology built into our new MCHQ, so please do not hesitate to call our main number at (201) 939-0707.
In times of challenge, history has shown that the broad membership looks for guidance and a steady hand from the leadership of the MC. The power of an organization like ours helps to unite and strengthen our member businesses so we can help one another. No one is in this alone!
With determination and perseverance, I remain,
Jim Kirkos
President & CEO
Meadowlands Chamber
