b'The Importanceof VisionAlan R. SegaloExecutive DirectorAtthemonthlymeetingoftheourmanage- didwemakesucharapidshift?Ittookhardment teaminJanuary,Isharedarequestfrom work,cooperation,andanabsolutebelieffromourBoardofDirectors.Theyaskedustodevelop ourteamthattheworkmustcontinue.Ouranemergencymanagementplan.Atrst,the missionasanorganizationistomeetthecriticalrequestwasmetwithconfusion.Wealready needsofpeoplewithMS.Fromtheclericalstahaveahurricaneplan.Whatotherkindsof totheexecutivesuite,weallunderstoodthatdisastersdoweneedtoworryaboutinSouth thoseneedsdontstopduringapandemic,theyFlorida?oneteammemberasked. increase.DespitethechallengesthispandemicItstrue,wedontfaceearthquakes,blizzards, hasbroughttotheirownfamilies,ourstawasicestorms,springoods,andrarelyseethetype determinedtohelpyoursifyouneededus.ofpowerfultornadoesthatrecentlydevastated Someofouractivitieshavechanged.ForNashville.Inthe34yearsoftheorganizations example,manyoftheliveeducationalprogramsexistence,nothingshortofahurricanehas wehadplannedforNationalMSEducationandevercausedustocloseourdoors.However,it AwarenessMonthwerepostponedindenitely,neverhurtstohaveaplaninplaceforunforeseen butwebegantooerweeklyonlineeducationalevents,sowesettowork.Isharedguidance programsinstead.OurstaandmedicaladvisorsfromFEMAandtaskedourHRdepartment quicklymadeinformationaboutCOVID-19todeveloptheframeworkofaplanforusto availablethroughourwebsites,socialmedia,buildupon. andstreamingradio.YoulllearnmoreaboutAsitturnedout,therequestshowedreal theseonlineoeringsinthisissue.visiononthepartofourBoard.Lessthana Thegreatesteectonourworkhasbeenmonthlater,ourteamwasmeetingagainto nancial.Manyfundraisiersthatwerescheduleddiscussatentativeplanintheeventthatthe hadtobepostponed.Ifyouareinapositioncoronavirusbecameapandemic.Becausewe tohelpothersintheMScommunitybymakinghadbeenthinkingahead,developingaplan adonationtosupportourservices,pleasegivewiththefutureinmind,wewereabletotake atMSFocus.org.quickactiontoprotectouremployeesand Atthetimeofthiswriting,thefutureisclients. unclear.Howlongwillstay-at-homeordersPriortothisoutbreak,fewofouremployees last?Whenwillitbesafetoopenouroces?hadeverworkedremotely,andonlyonrare Wedontknow.Butourvisionremainsclearoccasions.Yetbymid-March,nearlyourentire wewillstrivetomeetthecriticalneedsofstawasworkingfull-steamfromhome.How peoplewithMS,nomatterwhatmaycome.msfocusmagazine.org 8'