ARTICLE
We are in troubled waters and challenging times. For those who know me well, I am a sports fan and former college athlete. This time of year is one of my favorite sports seasons It is the peak of sports in my opinion. Spring brings us the start of Major League baseball, while the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) move into their playoffs season, Professional Golf Association (PGA) season begins with the Masters Tournament and the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) launches into “March Madness” women’s and men’s basketball tournament. As a former college basketball player — who never had the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament, I cherish this time of year. And, of course, the Olympics were to begin this summer. All sporting events — among other public events like theaters, plays, and community outings have been postponed or cancelled with uncertainty about when these events will return. You know that we are in uncharted territory when Sports hit pause on their seasons. Today, I have a huge void in my non-work schedule. Instead of watching the thrill of college players reaching for their dreams to win a NCAA championship, I, like most of you, are Sheltered in Place (SIP) watching hours and hours of coronavirus reports on local and national TV, social media channels and in phone communication with chamber members, business associates, family and friends. As the Chamber is following the best practices of SIP and working remotely in week two of this COVID — 19 stage, I have participated in too many conference calls and webinars to count since March 12. That is my day. Get up, make coffee and breakfast and then work remotely from my new desk — the dinner table — from sun up to sun set — to begin the process over and over again each morning. Yes, I do find a few minutes to pick up essentials from the grocery store and take a walk around the neighborhood always practicing social distancing. Now, we know our short term focus is to do everything humanly possible to flatten the curve so to make the COVID — 19 a shorter pandemic period that has been seen in other countries. Please take time to review a short video by PBS that is really helpful to our understanding of “flatten the curve.” And a tale of where it worked in history: Philadelphia vs. St. Louis. https://www.youtube.com/watch PBS CoOVID 19 Flatten The Curve As my second week of sheltering in place has passed, I think about how life and the economy will change for Santa Cruz County. Always the optimists, I look at this time to what opportunities lie ahead for us all, especially in our County and your Chamber. “How can technology help us move forward during this time? How will our highly successful Santa Cruz County Chamber’s networking events change? What do our events in the future look like?” Dating back to when I took the role as your Chamber CEO back in 2017, the Chamber’s focus was providing positive programs to ensure your membership was a valued benefit to your company and employees. Now in 2020, we have to consider the expanded competition from the digital and audio space. More and more people realize the potential of virtual conferencing or live webinars. In the future, our events will need to stand above every other in-person event happening in the County and every online event happening in the world. Content, whether in person or on screen, must be enriching, genuine and provocative. I deeply believe that humans are social animals, and after this crisis is over, our instinct to connect will override our anxiety and fears. We will be more selective, move with intent, explore through an even more thoughtful series of filters. I will need your guidance on what you believe works best for all of us. We know our national economy is changing before our eyes. I know we have all become aware of the need of trusted, competent government. We need systems in place that we can rely on for adequate health care services, public safety, housing, transportation, and environmental quality. The Santa Cruz County Chambers’ 131st year has been unlike any other: This year will see a recession, an unprecedented national election, and a pandemic. Our Chamber will continue with thoughtful leadership and innovation. We will champion a local economy that supports everybody in our community. In the coming weeks, as we each struggle with Shelter in Place Orders, there is one single purpose. Let’s continue to be there for one another. Let’s continue to support our small businesses that are struggling through this time. What exactly will our new economy, County and Chamber of Commerce look like? I ask you to join me in exploring what’s next. In closing, I have reached out to my dear friend and the lead pastor of Twin Lakes Church, Rene Schlaepfer to provide a short inspiring video that brings us together. It requires us to trust each other, combine our hope and prayers with kindness, humility and generosity. Together we will come through this as one community — stronger and more resilient than ever. Send me your thoughts and stories, or any links, articles, and podcasts you think we should share with the community. Together, let’s build a new Santa Cruz County that shows the strength of our community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UTVb9pUEGU
We are in troubled waters and challenging times. For those who know me well, I am a sports fan and former college athlete.
This time of year is one of my favorite sports seasons It is the peak of sports in my opinion. Spring brings us the start of Major League baseball, while the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) move into their playoffs season, Professional Golf Association (PGA) season begins with the Masters Tournament and the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) launches into “March Madness” women’s and men’s basketball tournament. As a former college basketball player — who never had the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament, I cherish this time of year. And, of course, the Olympics were to begin this summer.
All sporting events — among other public events like theaters, plays, and community outings have been postponed or cancelled with uncertainty about when these events will return. You know that we are in uncharted territory when Sports hit pause on their seasons.
Today, I have a huge void in my non-work schedule. Instead of watching the thrill of college players reaching for their dreams to win a NCAA championship, I, like most of you, are Sheltered in Place (SIP) watching hours and hours of coronavirus reports on local and national TV, social media channels and in phone communication with chamber members, business associates, family and friends. As the Chamber is following the best practices of SIP and working remotely in week two of this COVID — 19 stage, I have participated in too many conference calls and webinars to count since March 12. That is my day. Get up, make coffee and breakfast and then work remotely from my new desk — the dinner table — from sun up to sun set — to begin the process over and over again each morning. Yes, I do find a few minutes to pick up essentials from the grocery store and take a walk around the neighborhood always practicing social distancing. Now, we know our short term focus is to do everything humanly possible to flatten the curve so to make the COVID — 19 a shorter pandemic period that has been seen in other countries. Please take time to review a short video by PBS that is really helpful to our understanding of “flatten the curve.” And a tale of where it worked in history: Philadelphia vs. St. Louis. https://www.youtube.com/watch PBS CoOVID 19 Flatten The Curve
As my second week of sheltering in place has passed, I think about how life and the economy will change for Santa Cruz County. Always the optimists, I look at this time to what opportunities lie ahead for us all, especially in our County and your Chamber.
“How can technology help us move forward during this time? How will our highly successful Santa Cruz County Chamber’s networking events change? What do our events in the future look like?”
Dating back to when I took the role as your Chamber CEO back in 2017, the Chamber’s focus was providing positive programs to ensure your membership was a valued benefit to your company and employees.
Now in 2020, we have to consider the expanded competition from the digital and audio space. More and more people realize the potential of virtual conferencing or live webinars. In the future, our events will need to stand above every other in-person event happening in the County and every online event happening in the world. Content, whether in person or on screen, must be enriching, genuine and provocative.
I deeply believe that humans are social animals, and after this crisis is over, our instinct to connect will override our anxiety and fears. We will be more selective, move with intent, explore through an even more thoughtful series of filters. I will need your guidance on what you believe works best for all of us.
We know our national economy is changing before our eyes. I know we have all become aware of the need of trusted, competent government. We need systems in place that we can rely on for adequate health care services, public safety, housing, transportation, and environmental quality.
The Santa Cruz County Chambers’ 131st year has been unlike any other: This year will see a recession, an unprecedented national election, and a pandemic. Our Chamber will continue with thoughtful leadership and innovation. We will champion a local economy that supports everybody in our community.
In the coming weeks, as we each struggle with Shelter in Place Orders, there is one single purpose. Let’s continue to be there for one another. Let’s continue to support our small businesses that are struggling through this time.
What exactly will our new economy, County and Chamber of Commerce look like? I ask you to join me in exploring what’s next. In closing, I have reached out to my dear friend and the lead pastor of Twin Lakes Church, Rene Schlaepfer to provide a short inspiring video that brings us together. It requires us to trust each other, combine our hope and prayers with kindness, humility and generosity. Together we will come through this as one community — stronger and more resilient than ever. Send me your thoughts and stories, or any links, articles, and podcasts you think we should share with the community. Together, let’s build a new Santa Cruz County that shows the strength of our community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UTVb9pUEGU