Information: Crisis Management: Best Practices & Templates

Best Practices, Templates, and Official Links

Consider including the following links in Chamber communications to members:

Updates on how the Chamber will be altering programing to webinars, live chats, podcasts, etc.
A short survey for local businesses to submit their specific needs
A snapshot of data gathered from your Chamber's community survey
A link to news and press releases in your state about the status of coronavirus
Link to available jobs / companies that are hiring in your community
Link to your state and local health departments
Link to your airport's travel updates
Links provided on the Official Government Coronavirus Links spreadsheet (below) that are relevant to your community's needs.

Official Government Coronavirus Links
A spreadsheet of links to include in chamber communications to members and online resource guides from the CDC, OSHA, FEMA, U.S. Chamber, WHO, Ready.gov, EEOC, and EPA.
Shelter in Place Communication Template
A sample communication announcing stay at home / shelter in place orders.
Dues Communication Template
A template document communicating dues extension to members during times of crisis.
Business Action Communication Template
A communication to member businesses highlighted 7 actions to take to minimize the impact of coronavirus on business operations.
Member Communication Template
A sample communication that prioritizes the health and wellness of members and staff and provides guidelines and links to official recommendations regarding COVID-19.
Staff Communication Template
A sample communication to chamber staff outlining strategies to ensure a safe and productive workplace and addressing remote work if needed.
Event Participant Communication Template
A sample communication to chamber event participants outlining precautions to protect the health and safety of participants.
Event Cancellation Communication Template
A sample communication that lists chamber event cancellations, links to the chamber's social media, and links to public health and CDC news and recommendations.
Event Cancellation and Refund Policy Template
A policy template addressing event cancellation by the chamber as well as by the participant. Includes language for specific event cancellation by participant.
Coronavirus Best Practices Guide for Businesses: Template
A template document of best practices and strategies for businesses to implement to protect their workforce from coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations.

Surveys and Outreach: Chambers Implementing Best Practices

Best Practice Tip

Chambers are reporting that they are having a difficult time getting responses from their members about the impacts of COVID-19 closures and social distancing through their email communications. Chambers are, however, having success in gathering feedback from members through online surveys and one-on-one member phone calls. This high touch approach will serve to boost moral among and maintaining connection with the Chamber as a critical resource during times of crisis.The chambers that are re-purposing staff to make outreach calls suggest keeping the call informal and relational - ask how the member is doing and find out what their needs are. They also suggest that this one-on-one call is not about collecting dues and focuses on how the Chamber can serve its members.

Surveying your membership about the impacts COVID-19 is having on their businesses and their immediate needs is the best way to keep a pulse on your community. Examples of survey results are below:

COVID-19 Business Implications Survey Report
The COVID-19 Business Implications Survey Report is the second COVID-19 survey from Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce (IL) and Invest Aurora. Part of a series of surveys and reports aimed at measuring the impact and implications of COVID-19 on businesses across the Aurora region, the COVID-19 Business Implications Survey Report provides a close look at the data from 98 survey responses collected between Sep 8, 2020 and Sep 21, 2020.
Hamilton County Economic Impact Survey Results & Findings
A report of the survey findings, business concerns, and sector impact on the Hamilton County economy, by Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce (TN). (Jun 8, 2020)
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey Results
Interactive graph survey results delivered weekly, by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce (CA) in partnership with the San Diego Regional EDC, San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center, Downtown San Diego Partnership, and National City Chamber of Commerce.