Monday, 1.18.10

(update, Monday, 1.18.10 - 4.45 p.m.)

"How do we know that OSA and the others involved in the Good Samaritan Relief effort will do the right thing and not waste the money people give?" This from a parishioner who is rightly concerned that our efforts and money are not squandered. After all, we're not a professional relief agency. So, let me tell you how we are aproaching this project.

Our greatest challenge just now is to slow down and get organized. It makes no sense to send people to Haiti when we have no idea how they would get from the airport to Carrefour, where they would stay, or exactly what they would do. Jean-Elie & Luc will report back next week. After that, we'll build a project list and begin to prioritize it. Then, too, we'll be better able to match people and their skills with the needs we have.

We've made some important organizational progress. Gia Card, Trinity, Newtown, works for a major airline and has agreed to serve as our travel coordinator. Caryn Stedman, from OSA, will be harvesting our frequent flier donations and working with Gia to cover the costs of volunteers unable to pay for their own travel. Gus & Sheelagh Schlegel, St. John's, Stamford, along with Danelie Millien, are working to figure out supplies and logistics. I've asked the Schlegels to coordinate that part of our efforts. Danelie, who is valuable everywhere, I've ask to continue working with the Schlegels but primarily to serve as Ambassador at Large. I want her to work across the entire spectrum of activities but not to get bogged down in a million details. She, however, will be our satellite phone contact person with EBS. I am working on finding a medical coordinator.

We understand much better now about the basic necessities for volunteers to take with them: water purification tablets in bulk, a crank radio-flashlight-siren-USB-cell-phone-charger, camel pack water containers, and rolling duffle bags.

All I can hope is that you appreciate that this is the kind of organizational work behind our efforts. Regarding the spending of money, individual churches, like St. John's, Stamford, may use funds collected to purchase specific items--for example, water purification tablets in bulk or rolling duffle bags. In addition, we are working out a financial system for expenditures at OSA. Everything will be above board and available for anybody to examine. All contributions are logged into a spreadsheet and every donor will receive an individual acknowledgement letter, including the amount of the donation.

There is probably more to say. But, I need to go to a MLK celebration. Thank you again for your compassion, financial support, and willingness to be involved.