ASHI Waives Dues

The ASHI Board of Directors approved waiving the 2005-2006 Membership Dues for all current Candidates, Members and Retired Members who are not able to pay as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Rob Paterkiewicz, ASHI executive director, said the waiver will be based on need, and ASHI will not drop anyone from membership in Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana without having a discussion with him or her to address the dues waiver situation.

ASHI leadership is considering additional suggestions for assisting the membership in the affected areas without duplicating the efforts of other groups that already have systems in place.

Donate, volunteer, look for work or assistance

You can choose from a long list of opportunities to donate and volunteer on one Web site, www.volunteermatch.org.

Here’s a sample of what you’ll find. Many options will allow you to help later when you are able to better juggle business and family commitments. For example, Habitat for Humanity will be in the region for the long haul.

Donate

National Relief Funds

To make an immediate impact, donate to the following national relief funds:

America’s Second Harvest

Other Organizations That Need Your Donation

Church World Service
Emergency Response Program

Convoy of Hope
Providing disaster relief and building supply lines

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
Awareness against loss and damage from natural disasters

Hearts with Hands
Disaster preparedness and relief services

Humane Society of the U.S.
Emergency preparedness for pets

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity
Assisting victims of hurricane Katrina

Salvation Army
Local, regional and national disaster relief programs

Samaritan’s Purse
Helping victims of natural disasters

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area
Helping victims of hurricanes locally

I AM Foundation
For every dollar donated, a book will be gifted to a child at The Houston Astrodome and other relief camps

VOLUNTEER

Search VolunteerMatch or any of the organizations listed here.

GET INVOLVED

1. Host a displaced family   

• Hurricane Housing
• Katrina Relocation Relief
• Host a Family

2. Help rebuild homes

• Habitat for Humanity

3. Offer your healthcare & medical skills   

• Medical Reserve Corps
• Northwest Medical Teams
• US Department of Health and Human Services Volunteer Needs

4. Give blood

• Blood Centers of the Pacific or call 888-393-GIVE
• Blood Saves

5. Spread the word for relief support

• Help The Salvation Army raise funds

6. Send blankets and health kits through UMCOR

• UMCOR Storm Response

7. Provide school supplies for students displaced

• Hurricane Help for Schools

8. Volunteer your police service skills

• Volunteers in Police Service

9. Help animals affected by disaster

• ASPCA

MORE RESOURCES

Katrinalist.net

Family News Network of the ICRC

Craigslist New Orleans

Network for Good

AmeriCares

Episcopal Relief & Development, 800-334-7626

United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583

Catholic Charities, 800-919-9338

Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Adventist Community Services, 800-381-7171

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, 800-848-5818

Lutheran Disaster Response, 800-638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service, 717-859-2210

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283

WORK

Because the delivery of bulk rate mail has been restricted in the Gulf Coast region and members in that area may not have a place to receive mail, if you have an opportunity to share work and assistance information with someone who needs it, please do so.

In the past, the following organization has been a subcontractor for FEMA and may be hiring inspectors.

Partnership for Response and Recovery

PaRR Inspections

A Dewberry & Davis, LLC, URS Group, Inc. and SSI Joint Venture has a contract for the “Management and Performance of Housing Inspection Services in Disaster Areas Nationwide.”

If you are interested in becoming a housing inspector for PaRR, please fill out our online application and make sure to read through our frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions or comments, you may contact us at admin@parrinspections.com or 800-758-0362. When e-mailing us, be sure to include your first and last name, along with Inspector ID, if applicable.

ASSISTANCE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The Department of Labor is working with state and local governments in disaster areas and relief sites to issue unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance. For more information. Call 866-4-USA-DOL (866-487-2365).

The Small Business Agency has posted disaster notices and disaster loan fact sheets on its Web site.

ASHI Officer and Director slates presented October 31

The ASHI Officers Nominating Committee will present a slate to voting Members on October 31, 2005, and the slate prepared by the ASHI Directors Nomination Committee will be mailed to Council Representatives on the same date. Voting will close December 5, 2005.