To Sign-up and volunteer to go on one of these trips call Cindy.
 

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Rotary District 7300 Katrina Effort Project

A summary of discussion at the February 19, 2006 meeting

The 50 Rotary clubs of District 7300 (Greater Pittsburgh and the Beaver Valley) are launching their effort to help the citizens of the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast.  The focal point of our assistance will be south west Mississippi. The team will be working with Rotary Clubs in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church in Biloxi. 

In addition to raising over $100,000 to be used for materials for rebuilding homes, and in some cases shops, teams of Rotarians (and their friends) from District 7300 will travel to Biloxi to spend one week providing labor   At present, the plans are for upward to 15 teams (of 5-7 people) to go, with one or more teams going for a week, beginning March 4. Each team will receive a $1,500 travel advance for lodging, fuel and food associated with 20 hour (each way) trip. Once in Biloxi lodging and meals swill be provided by the Presbyterian Church. 

Transportation down and back will be through the use of private vehicles. The teams will probably leave on a Saturday (arriving Sunday evening) and return late the following Saturday evening, having left late on Friday. 

For each team that takes an assignment the District 7300 Foundation will make a gift of $5,000 to the local Rotary District Foundation to be used for construction related supplies.

The funding and schedule will enable teams to work in each of the next 15 weeks, until June unless many teams combine to go earlier and exhaust the $100,000 in allocated funds. It is also possible the project could be extended IF Rotary raises more Katrina Relief related money.  

The teams will be headed by a Rotarian and have both Rotarians and non-Rotarians in the team.  While ideally, the teams will have people who have some construction skills or experience, there is room for anyone who can provide simple service, such as cleaning debris and hauling trash.  The primary duties will be roofing (for those who have some experience and can stand heights, drywall installation and taping. 

The church will provide housing, mostly bunk beds in the church basement, breakfast (including a box lunch to be taken to the worksite), and an evening meal.  Those who took the prototype trip in early January said that the accommodations were Spartan (like summer camp), but comfortable. They did meet others for all across the South and made many friends, as all were on a mission of mercy. 

Tools will be provided, but those who have small tools are encouraged to bring them, as the tools are in constant use at the site and having your own makes you more productive.  All material, as well as consumables such as drywall tape, sandpaper, etc. will be provided at the worksite. Pick up trucks would be a valuable addition. 

Three important logistical items:   

1. The team leader must be a Rotarian.  The leader will coordinate all aspects of the team’s travel and be responsible for the $1,500 advance. 

2. All persons MUST BE at least 18 years of age 

3. Each team member (including Rotarians) must sign a simple waiver of liability.  Rotary cannot be responsible for injury on the worksite. While no one will be asked to do anything dangerous or be asked to push their physical limitations, volunteers have to be responsible and prudent for their own behavior. 

This is a great opportunity for anyone who wishes to have a physical stake in the rebuilding of this devastated area.  The prototype team (from the Burrell Rotary Club) says that no one can imagine the devastation until they see it first hand. 

One important point of reference:

The Presbyterian Church that is coordinating work teams’ assignments is offering help to all that ask for it (both in Biloxi and in areas down to the Louisiana   border). Some of the homes are not owned buy “lower income” families. However, it is clear that if it were not for the help of Rotarians and others in the project, these homeowners would not have a permanent home in which to safely live. 

 As has been noted in media reports those with insurance ONLY received a settlement for hurricane damage caused by wind. So rising flood water does not get a payment. Many of the homes of the poor were destroyed and will probably never be replaced (they moved on to other places, not having ownership of the property).  Volunteers should know that their efforts are needed by those rebuilding, but those expecting to only help the very poor should not be surprised when they get there.  

Other Details

1. In the weeks ahead efforts will be made to post the schedule for team on the District’s website. All Rotarians should check this to see when teams are scheduled and can contact any team to see if there is room for them to go along.
    

2. Clubs can have more than one team in the same or different weeks
    

3. Team leaders are the only persons who can authorize a team members to join their team
    

4. Team leaders must receive a “go” from either Jerry Cozewith or Cindy Sakala who are coordinating matters for our District with the Biloxi folks. Once the “go” is given then team leaders can communicate directly with the contact they are provided in Biloxi. Jerry and Cindy will also authorize the District Foundation to issue the travel advance check in the name of the team leader.

 Contact for Jerry Cozewith  is:  jerryc@nfte.com                        412-608-5009(cell  with voice mail)

 Contact for Cindy Sakala is:     sakala1@verizon.net             724-339-2224 Tel & FAX

Teams in 2006-2007 year Walter Sickles
harwal706@yahoo.com 724-266-9060