June 8, 2020

Greetings LNV Alumni,

The LNV Board would like to give you an update on the current and upcoming classes, the status of our organization, and our plans to navigate the future.

LNV Class 33 became a unique group, with the Covid-19 Shelter in Place (SIP) disrupting the leadership program year. Business Day, Arts Day, Practicum Night and Graduation have not occurred. Nevertheless, Class 33 members demonstrated their leadership skills, keeping in touch with each other and meeting via Zoom. A couple of practicum groups modified their projects and responding to community needs, jumped into action to create initiatives specific to SIP. The class was surveyed and gave Jill and the LNV Board feedback on the class expectations and hopes for completing the missed classes and final elements of the program. With flexibility and creativity, we hope the class can complete unfinished business.

Applications for Class 34 have been received and the LNV recruiting team will conduct interviews via Zoom over the summer. With the ongoing SIP order, the Board is working with the recruiting committee on the timing and logistics of the class, intent on maintaining the integrity of the robust content. Conversations with curriculum Day Coordinators are in progress to ensure satisfaction of the participants and providers alike.

The SIP has required significant modifications to our Alumni engagement plans and fundraising activities. Our various committees continue to consider alternatives sensitive to today’s circumstances. We recognize that the pandemic has presented hardship for many in our community; hardships that may impact our revenue and our ability to deliver the leadership program we all know and love.

This is where your commitment to Alumni dues is critical. Tuition, sponsorships, grants, alumni dues and events make our programming possible. The leadership development and connectivity gleaned through participation in LNV helps to make community leaders more effective in response and recovery in times of crisis. We know LNV makes our community stronger. If you are in a position to renew your dues, we hope we can count on you to do so. As we embrace creative engagement and fundraising opportunities, we hope you will do so, as well.

Thank you for your support of this program, your fellow alumni and our awesome community!

Best,

Catherine Heywood

Board President, Leadership Napa Valley

On behalf of the Board of Directors