Dear Chamber Members,
As we have sheltered-in-place for over seven weeks now, it has undoubtedly been an enormous adjustment for all of you in your professional and personal lives to pivot to a ‘new normal’. As we struggle for some sense of clarity, I am so honored and humbled to chair the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce during this difficult time. Our Chamber team, led by President and CEO, Rodney Fong, has truly stepped up and navigated through these rocky waters to successfully advocate on behalf of the business community on key measures, including property tax deferment, various emergency legislation, business interruption claim insurance, and small business tax relief. In addition, Rodney has been appointed to Co-Chair the City’s Economic Recovery Task Force by Mayor London Breed.
Against the COVID-19 backdrop, we also continue to advocate on our StreetCareSF Initiative to keep our streets safer and cleaner as we head into the other side of this crisis. Based upon the reality of our current situation, we must evolve our strategy and recognize our moment to tackle these challenging issues. Our Public Policy Chair, Mark Klein, and our Public Policy Director, Jay Cheng, are leading this effort as we redefine our strategy into the future.
Our ask to all of you is to stay optimistic, supportive and confident in knowing that our business community is on solid ground and in good hands. In addition, we need your financial help more than ever and we ask that you donate a gift of any amount to www.sfchamber.com as we continue to advocate through this crisis on behalf of the business community.
Our partnerships with the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors, the SF Hotel Council, SF Travel, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, the Bay Area Council, and other key public and private sector organizations are united, strategic, and delivering results. Please participate in our substantive and interesting webinars that our Director of Events, Kim Mercado, and her team are producing thoughtfully and creatively to educate our community on pertinent issues of the day.
Like many of us in our respective businesses, the Chamber will need to make sacrifices and difficult decisions during this journey. Our strength will come from supporting each other. And to the staff at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, thank you for your hard work and dedication in delivering results on behalf of all of us every single day.
We will power through these unprecedented times together, and will finally see some light at the end of the tunnel in the coming weeks ahead. Please stay safe, healthy and positive. In advance, thank you for your ongoing support and generosity to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
With optimism and gratitude,
Melinda Yee Franklin
Chair, Board of Directors
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce