Hello Lake Sunapee Region Chamber members, non-members, friends, and greater community. It certainly has been an interesting few weeks leading up to where we are now. This message is being sent not only to our active membership, but also those in our system that are considering membership and those we have listed as prospective members. This is a topic that affects us all in some way and I believe it’s important to share whatever information and resources we may have.

There are many different mediums out there with which to gather your information regarding COVID-19. I will share some of those here with you, not only so that you can stay updated on the virus but, also because of the impact it may potentially have on some of our businesses. Should closures be recommended, that could highly impact many of our members not only immediately but also in the months to come.

As your local Chamber of Commerce I will do what I can to bring you information as it becomes available. I will frequently update these resources below as well to be sure we are staying on top of the information. Should you have any questions or concerns please share them with me – I encourage you to do so. I will do what I can to help you find answers that you may need.

COVID-19 Resources & Updates

Center for Disease Control

Dartmouth-Hitchcock

NH Dept of Health & Human Services

WMUR

Should cancellations, closures, etc., take a toll on our local businesses there is discussion around what can be done to help local businesses and organizations. I will also stay on top of these options as they become available. While we are still early in this process, please take a look at these resources which will cover the potential economic impact and what businesses should know, practice, and be aware of as we all move forward.

Small Business Administration

NH Business Review

State Disaster Assistance Loans for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

US Chamber of Commerce Response

Here at the Chamber we are moving forward as usual. I am a one person office with occasional volunteers. Our Board communicates consistently via email and phone as well as occasional meetings throughout the month. The majority of our chamber meetings are smaller in attendance until we get to our next large fundraiser in May. Should we need to cancel our smaller get-together events like Chamber Chats, member meetings, or Business After Hours we will be sure we let all our members know as soon as possible.

With this being said – to be sure we are prepared – I will be looking into web conferencing options and other online tools which could help us continue to operate should closures be recommended. I encourage you to do the same. Here is a link to over 20 options for web conferencing including reviews and links to their respective websites as well – Web Conference Options.

With recommendations from other local businesses I will be starting my research with ZOOM. I have been told it’s user friendly – the free version is for one to one meetings to start. I will learn more about this and share with our members as well. I will be looking into other remote work templates, stories, suggestions, software, etc. As I learn more I will be sure to share that with our membership.

Please reach out to me should you have any questions at all. I am in no way an expert on this issue or it’s effects, however I will work diligently to bring you answers. I will monitor these resources and updates and bring them to you as needed.

Until then I do encourage everyone to be resourceful and innovative, calm but cautious, and always positive and kind. We will get through this together; as a chamber, as a community, as a region, as a state, as a country, and above all as humankind.

Let’s all take a deep breath and make an action plan.

Sending you positivity…
Ashlee Rowley
Your LSRCC Director
603.526.6575
admin@nulllakesunapeeregionchamber.com
LakeSunapeeRegionChamber.com