## Together We Are Stronger Change is a normal part of the flow of our lives yet, it is often difficult to manage. When changes arrive suddenly amid considerable confusion they become even more difficult. The Steem Foundation’s Board of Directors (The Board) has been actively working toward discerning the implications of the sale of Steemit Inc to the Tron Foundation. We’re acutely aware of the role Steemit Inc and the steemit.com dapp has played in the development of Steem. Changes there will have an effect on the Steem ecosystem.  ## Our Mission The Board was formed and empowered by you, the Steem Community. Our primary mission is the growth, protection, and strengthening of the Steem platform and the community so passionately attached to it.  ## Our View On The Steemit/Tron Partnership The Board looks forward to finding ways to work with the Tron Foundation in furthering our mission to the benefit of the Steem ecosystem. Justin Sun has stated a desire to invest more into marketing Steem and supporting its growth and development. We're very interested in seeing this happen. Our goal as an entity is as always to support the vision of the decentralized Steem Blockchain and its ecosystem. We are 100% committed to the Steem Community and its stability, autonomy, and prosperity.  ## The Steem Core Developers We have read the posts from [@vandeberg](https://steemit.com/steem/@vandeberg/my-thoughts), [@gerbino](https://steemit.com/steem/@gerbino/the-future-of-steem), [@andrachy](https://steemit.com/steemit/@andrarchy/my-statement-on-tron-s-acquisition-of-steemit) and most recently [@steemitblog](https://steemit.com/steemit/@steemitblog/tron-and-steemit-join-forces). We've also listened to the two interviews done with @andrachy -- [here](https://steemit.com/hive-100421/@blockbrothers/jevdpbnn) and [here](https://3speak.online/watch?v=johnspalding/pnirmfaz) Based on the information shared from those sources it's clear they remain committed to Steem retaining its core culture and finding ways to make this partnership with TRON benefit us all. The Board looks forward to the retention of the core culture and seeing the Tron Foundation's contribution to those goals.  ## Community Driven Marketing The Board has been working toward forming a community-driven marketing plan. We’ve hosted two Marketing Rambles in The Ramble discord. [Another is planned for Sunday, February 23rd at noon EST / 5pm UTC.](https://steemit.com/steemfoundation/@aggroed/steem-foundation-marketing-forum-february-23rd-noon-eastern) The input received from the community during the rambles have been put to work in developing a website to reflect the identified needs. It will be an ongoing process. Beyond the Marketing Rambles we invite people interested in assisting with this marketing effort to step forward and take part. @aggroed has taken the lead with the group.  ## Protecting Steem Repositories Over the last several weeks The Board has been discussing establishing a github to mirror the repositories currently held in the Steemit github. The purpose has been to ensure there are always true copies available should something unexpected arise. In the interest of transparency on our part, we believe now is the time to disclose this to the community so you are aware of its existence.  ## Steem Life Carries On The members of The Board are actively engaged in the community. Like you, we will be watching developments closely and will always work toward upholding our mission for you. While we watch for further developments taking place, life on Steem will carry on as it has. We are seeing some members of the Tron community arriving on Steem. We urge all Steemians to welcome these new members, help them to understand what we love about Steem and be open to learning what they love about Tron. ---