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Weekly Wrap-Up: April 3, 2020

The Weekly Wrap-Up 04/03/20
Your MEMBER ONLY email on all things the Chamber worked on this week
and you need to know about, to get the most of your membership.
Thank you for being a member.
During this time of national crisis, when information and connections are so important,
the Weekly Wrap-Up will be made available to members and non-members.
CEO Brief- ?
I want to start with an update to our members on dues. If you are a member you should have received an email from me directly announcing this. The email stated in part: 
'We know these are tough times for everyone. With the financial impact of the tornado followed by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and people across Nashville are looking for ways to lower expenses. We want to do our part to help. 
Effective today, we are suspending all membership billing until this crisis is over. No member will need to pay any dues or fees. We will also be extending all memberships for our networking members, adding additional time to their membership for all months that we have had to cancel our networking events.  This will be automatic and there is nothing you have to do. 
We will continue doing our work to advocate, educate and connect through this crisis.'

?We also ?started something new for us, a video post to connect with members and let you know what we are doing. Today I talked about the last month and the decision that we have made today regarding dues. You can expect to see more posts from us like this that will include me, Lauren our Membership Manager, our board, and most importantly our members. It's all about connecting during these physically distanced times we find ourselves in that we need to socially engage even more. Let me know what you would like to see.

What a month! One month ago today we were waking up to find our city slashed and scarred by a tornado. So many of our members were affected, losing their businesses or their homes. We at the Chamber sprang to action and started share information on recovery and mobilizing members and the community to volunteer and help out. And boy did everyone turn out to help out! Thousands of volunteers flooded the streets to clear debris and start to rebuild. It was truly inspiring, it is the Nashville way, we show up and help our neighbors in need. We #BelieveinNashville and are #NashvilleStrong. I remember writing to you at the end of that week, tired and overwhelmed, but hopeful and ready to keep rebuilding. 

In one short week, the streets we had been out clearing were empty. Businesses were shuttered and Nashville was closed down due to the coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic. This change has been jarring and it is hard to believe it has only been three weeks. We have focused on our key areas of advocacy, education, and connection, now focused on what we are all dealing with, COVID-19. What more can we do for you in this area? 

This week was spent making some big decisions like the membership dues and what events we are canceling and rescheduling for later this year. I am sure you are having the same frustration we are that you just can't plan anything at the moment as we just don't know what the future holds. It was also spent on countless zoom calls, advocating for small businesses and nonprofits in this recovery stimulus, and learning about what the loans and programs mean and who qualifies. We have packaged it all here the Weekly and of course, everything is on the website .

As I say in the video, we are all in this together and we will get through this together. Let us know how we can help you. Stay healthy and #nashvillestrong.

Joe
Coronavirus Response
The most important thing for small business owners to know about is the assistance programs from the government. There are two main programs out there, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) that is loaned through the SBA, and the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPPL) that is loaned through financial institutions. The easiest and best breakdown of what these mean for you has come from the NFIB.

There are several webinars next week to learn more, find info on them below. We are also happy to talk with you more about this and connect you to an expert. Email Joe.
We want you to support our members who have moved to delivery, take out, or curbside models.

Check out the special page on our website to find where your next meal is coming from!
We want to support the TASTE vendors who support the Nashville LGBT Chamber!

We have created a special page on the website to highlight new products and services our TASTE vendors are offering at this time.

?
The COVID-19 situation changes hour by hour. We are continuing to post updates and connections to resources on our social media. Please follow us there for new and immediate information updates.
During these uncertain times, the Nashville LGBT Chamber stands by you. We know that running a business right now is difficult no matter its size, from gig-workers to small businesses to our corporations, we are all in this together and we are there for you.
Every day, we are  advocating  for our members and working to  educate  and  connect  you to resources, information, and relief. 

Here is a summary of relevant updates from this week: 

Press Releases

Upcoming Webinars

Send us any information or items you would like us to share. Check our website frequently for new info. Connect with us on social to stay up-to-date with information and member news on   Facebook Twitter , and  LinkedIn .
Nashville Tornado Recovery
The United States Small Business Administration (SBA)  has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Davidson County – as of Monday, March 9 to help businesses apply for disaster loans. 
?
Read the press release below to find out who is eligible, how to apply for loans, and much more.
New and Renewing Members
We are proud of the continued participation from the following individuals and businesses who RENEWED or upgraded their membership this week:

What We Did
We have been busy working for our members as usual.

We attended many webinars to gather information for us and our members. We will continue to inform you of ones you might want to participate live in (see list above) and we will share the ones that we do with you so you can listen and learn from them. See some of the ones we were involved with this week.

Connections
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry has never missed a show in its 94-year history, and that tradition continues. The 7pm radio broadcast and livestream on Saturday, April 4, live from the Grand Ole Opry House will include Ashley McBryde, Lauren Alaina, and Terri Clark. Even without an audience, Nashville keeps the music playing!

Opry Live will air on television via Opry’s television network, Circle, and be available for livestream on  Facebook  and  YouTube  starting at 7pm CT / 8pm ET.
Membership Has Its Perks
We offer many tools to inform visitors about your updated services, hours of operation, volunteer needs, and news and information you are releasing. 

Login to the Member Information Center now and see how easy it is!

Website Directory - If your business has recently adopted take out, curbside, or delivery services, please select our new directory category “Take Out”. We will promote all of these businesses on our social platforms. 

Hot Deals - Use Hot Deals to promote a discount, special, or new service your business offers. 

Job postings - Use the Jobs Board feature to promote any jobs or volunteer opportunities you have. With so many people losing jobs, it’s important for our community to know where they can look for employment.

News Releases - We are sharing member and community news via news releases. Keep members and the public up-to-date on your hours of operation, services you provide, and any other announcements.

Email Lauren if you need assistance logging into your member portal.
In these uncertain times, we hope to connect our members and our community to the ways you can give and receive support. Members of the Nashville LGBT Chamber can utilize “Hot Deals” to promote deals and services you are still offering. We will add to this list as they come in. We encourage everyone to support these businesses.
Order carry out from any Fleming’s Steakhouse location tonight through April 11th and enjoy $40 off when you spend $100. To redeem, just mention this post. Curbside pick-up also available. View our menus online and call the restaurant to order at: 615-342-0131.

20% off any of our services including planning and decor for weddings and events, florals, balloon decor, and Christmas indoor and outdoor decor.

Free honeymoon package when you book your destination wedding in beautiful Punta Cana with Ron Sanford Productions!

Need event lighting, draping, or custom builds for your upcoming event?
Contact TN Event Designs and receive 10% off when you mention promo code -  NLGBT10. We specialize in wedding, corporate and music events in Nashville and all major cities.

Support Local is an initiative that lets you show your support for your local businesses during this challenging time. Reach out to USA Today Network's Brently Snyder to set up your small businesses listing now. Visitors can purchase gift cards now to use in the future.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown/The Gulch is extending a special discounted rate March 25, 2020-April 30, 2020 for Nashville LGBT Chamber members!  
We are extending a Nashville Strong rate of $119 through April 30, 2020. If you would like to make reservations, please contact Jeremy Bishop , Director of Sales.
Yes, you are open! We want to make sure people know! Take advantage of this Small Business Booster that includes a web box ad AND social media campaign for $50 that will run for all of April.

At Drury Hotels, our free amenities, clean rooms, friendly team members and award-winning service make life’s journey a little easier and hopefully a little healthier. Rates listed are for 1 - 2 people per room, per night, non-commissionable, valid at any hotel and are subject to local taxes. Not valid with any other offer, special rate or discount. Block-out dates may apply.

Use Corporate Code: HEALTH
Joe Woolley
CEO

Lauren Bland
Membership Manager

Nashville LGBT Chamber
615-507-5185
41 Peabody Street
Nashville, TN 37210
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