March 2020 – Rick Szilagyi, Principal
Dear clients and friends:
It is difficult to say anything that isn’t a restatement of something that has been said already. Additionally, situations change so rapidly, whatever the situation is right now, may be very different tomorrow. I have on the screen in front of me a legal-sized document, should I want to print it, set in landscape, with four columns: Today, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 18 months.
Changes at Lexian
The multi-page list of “essential businesses” was released for Massachusetts on March 23rd, and on March 26th in New Hampshire. The lists are the same, and are extremely inclusive. While Lexian may fall into several “essential” categories, we have made the necessary moves to make it easy for employees to work from home by remoting into their desktop computers here at the office. We are supporting the spirit of the New Hampshire Governor’s Stay-At-Home order, regardless of whether or not our work is “essential.” We had considered making the move earlier in recognition of the “math” of the disease, and have been prepared.
Tempted to step down from a board seat?
As of today, we are happy to report that we have NOT realized something that I considered a possibility: We have NOT been barraged by clients’ volunteer board members submitting their resignations. No one wants to feel they are not meeting their commitment as a volunteer board member, and right now, the volunteer commitment may well be the first ball that has to hit the floor. To anyone considering stepping down, let me assure you of something. Right now, the chance that your organization will be in a better place because you have vacated a seat is nonexistent. In normal times, things pop up that affect our abilities to meet our volunteer commitments, and we can best serve by allowing someone with the time and abilities to step in. These are not normal times. Do your best. Everyone is feeling the pressure.
Keep looking ahead.
We see our clients reacting with a positive future in mind. Events and programs are being postponed. They will occur, just not on the original schedule. For smaller events, we are seeing postponements in 30-60 day increments. If need be, they can be postponed again. Some are moving to an online mode. Larger events and more complex programs may need to be pushed out by six months. Everyone understands. Speakers get it. Venues get it. And, sponsors and exhibitors get it. We are all in this together. Filling open board seats, securing new sponsorships, etc., is going to be a lot more difficult in the short-term. However, even right now, there are nonprofits looking to hire or contract to get work done. They are looking forward to getting past COVID-19.
Yes, we may do some things differently in the future.
Even when the worst of this is over, there will be long-lasting changes. We may have friends and loved ones who have been very sick, or worse. And there will be changes in how we live and how we perform the work of our organizations. While it may seem momentary, working from home will become more pervasive. And, in organizations where meetings via conference call have not yet become commonplace, they are about to become more so. As a result, they will likely become a trusted option, if not the norm, for meetings and continuing education in the form of webinars, etc.
If we can help, please let us know. Stay healthy!
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