ZOOMING ALONG

Hello from the desk of the Alliance. As we fall into the routine of summer and our new normal in COVID-19 world your Alliance has been busy. We held our first full board meeting of the Alliance since January! We used a Zoom Meeting platform and had 27 board members all tuned in for updates and discussions. All and all a very positive turnout to hear the response and activity of your organization in this difficult business cycle.

A few highlights discussed were that it’s time for a nomination committee meeting to help select new Board Members and Executive Board officers for next year. We also discussed what the Alliance has done to help local business along and how to get the best possible information and help there is out there to the business community. We also hosted a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development to hear how Kentucky is starting to reboot from this crisis.

Each one of you understand how many things are up in the air at this point. How plans for events, business, gatherings are all either restricted or changing almost daily. It is effecting this organization as well. We are seeking clarity and information for you to use in your business. Can we conduct our leadership groups and classes? Will we be able to work with our school partners on Work Seal programs? Can we resume business after hours and even our Annual Meeting? We are working to find the answers and find ways that we can adjust and promote maybe just in different ways then in the past.

Our path forward for the immediate future may be different than in the past at least in how it is delivered to you. I labeled this message zooming along for a reason. All of us have been on more Zoom Meetings than ever before but, it has enabled us to stay in touch and share information. This may not be the most informative message I have sent in the last six weeks. However, it is important for you to know we are working for you everyday and collectively this shall pass and we will be standing together on the other side…

— Tim Gibbs
Ashland Allinace