Your Chamber at Work - August 9, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Once again, KC is a “COVID hot spot.” That’s coming directly from our medical experts.

For the third time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Greater Kansas City region’s chief medical officers came to the community and elected officials with an urgent plea and warning that we must take action to stop the spread of the Delta variant.

This past Friday, we heard from several as they reported on the dire situations in their area hospitals. Some have no more emergency room beds. Some are near capacity. Some have more kids with COVID in their ICU than they’ve had since COVID began. That last one was particularly worrisome.

KC Metro case numbers are higher now than they were in November 2020 - even with vaccines available. The 7-day average of COVID-19 cases as of August 5 was 737. In November 2020 that same average was 695. We are moving in the wrong direction.

While chief medical officers don’t make policy decisions, they are asking that we mask up again. The Chamber supports mask requirements and the wearing of masks to keep the doors of our businesses from closing again, and to help support our local hospitals. In the past few days several school districts and some of our local counties have voted to implement mask requirements. Our medical experts say until we achieve higher vaccination rates, masks are an effective way to stop the spread – while keeping our businesses and our schools open.

You can watch the full briefing from our chief medical officers here. In the meantime, remember to mask up.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD BOARD MEMBERS

It only happens once a year! The KC Chamber’s Nominating Committee is now accepting Board nominations from the KC Chamber’s membership. Nomination suggestions should be in writing and mailed to: Gordon Lansford, Nominating Committee Chair, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 30 West Pershing Road, Suite 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64108; or e-mailed to ronfeldt@kcchamber.com, prior to August 15. Chamber bylaws allow additional nominations to be made by petition after the committee has presented its slate.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: PATIO SERIES – KC PET PROJECT

Have you been to our Neighborhood Networking: Patio Series yet? It’s a way to enjoy in-person networking outdoors in the fresh air -- and on some of KC’s best patios. Join us at KC Pet Project for our next one, Friday, August 20, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at the new campus near Swope Park at 7077 Elmwood. Register here. It’s free for members and just $15 for non-members.  The KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound. The KC Chamber's 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: AN AUTHENTIC PERSPECTIVE

Leadership expert Dr. Nicole Price wants to get real with you about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Join Dr. Price for our next virtual workshop “Diversity & Inclusion: An Authentic Perspective,” Tuesday, August 24, noon to 1 p.m. Register here for this free virtual event. Dr. Price will take a deep dive into how diversity and inclusion factors into leadership, and how you can still be an effective leader even if you make mistakes. Thank you to our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor Commerce Bank, and our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. This event series is presented in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, Grandview Chamber of Commerce, Independence Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

WELCOMING WEEK 2021

One month from tomorrow we begin to celebrate Welcoming Week 2021, September 10-19. Join Welcoming KC and its partners for events and activities designed to bring together neighbors of all backgrounds and build strong connections. Some of the events we have planned involve arts and culture, ways you can make your business more welcoming, and even a taco crawl. Make sure you’re following Welcoming KC on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest details, and of course keep an eye on your inbox!