Can We Create an E-Playa Forum for Katrina Relief -BM Style?

[xtine2]

I'm actually shocked that no one has created a forum on E-Playa geared at organizing relief efforts in the Gulf States.

I know most of the catastrophe happened during the last event, but it seems like it would be a natural match, especially since BM is geared so much towards creative self-expression, and New Orleans as much a mecca for musicians as is San Francisco. These are our people!

Also, since Burning Man teaches participants so much about survival, DIY and gift-giving, etc, I think it would be an extremely powerful social experiment to try and spread what we have learned at Burning Man (in terms of temporary shelter, conservation, reduce, reuse, & recycle, using bicycles, etc) to other parts of the country who are really just looking for a helping hand. They have NOTHING right now! I'm sure many of us can understand how that feels to some degree.

We should be proud that the Burning Man Communitiy is probably one of the MOST PREPARED COMMUNITYs in this country! And we should share what we have learned over the past decade with others.

Perhaps E-Playa could at least provide a forum for exchanging ideas and info for people who do want to get involved over the long haul...

Personally, I hope to make it down there to contribute something in the next several months.

It would be great to know that my fellow burners are with me.

Thanks for reading.

[LeChatNoir]

I think we’re all assimilating the information still. Lots of people on this board are on the west coast. That makes it hard to just pick up and head to New Orleans. I live closer and have been looking into what I can do and whether my efforts can be better served hands on or through financial means. I’ve got a welder/generator I could load into the back of the truck and tools.

Xtine2, how about doing some digging and posting to this thread what you find out and how folks could rally to help. Do you have any ideas?

I'm actually shocked that no one has created a forum on E-Playa geared at organizing relief efforts in the Gulf States.

Perhaps you just did.



By the way... Does anybody have a total on what was raised for the Red Cross at the event? Seems I read $40,000+ somewhere, but have seen nothing official on the website yet. Also heard the DPW had a crew and equipment heading that way.

[king james version]

i took a crack at tying burners/the org and the new orleans rebuild effort together, but so far the response to my idea has been lean at best.

i intend on still making the proposal (in its full and originally conceived form), obviously in a much more fleshed out fashion. and i'm aware of the likelihood of it not being picked up. ultimately, though, i also plan on looking for other established organizations that combine community building (literally and figuratively) and art and creative solutions to new and old problems.

i think it will be important to find groups that already have most of the organizational infrastructure in place. now is not the time to learn how to get permits, raise money, and build support. we need something more along the lines of re-appropriating and attempting to merge groups. [someone should please now spout "self-reliance, man do it yourself," so we can get that out of the way and realize that we all depend on each other.]

a friend of mine is closely involved with fast company and their social entrepreneurship issue. so far, her leads seem the most fertile. here's a concrete example (for the main criticisms of my plan are its vagueness):

take the work of a group like kaboom.org and mash it up (yup, just like those hipster mission dj's) with something/someone like michael christian for example and there you have it.

but, yes, as you can see in my other post, i feel simultaneously a pressing need for and a great opportunity in the merger of the creative/artistic and the wood/concrete/steel that would result from bringing a major force like the burning man community and org to the rebuilding.

[can't sit still]

Here's an update. Camp Artica gave all their tips to the effort. About 4,000. Several of the members are leaving in a caravan monday to go to Biloxi, Miss. They're all supplied and out fitted for the worst.
They have all their vaccinations and food etc. They've heard that the stench of death is everywhere and nothing is standing. Biloxi may be worse than New Orleans.
I sent them 200$ on paypal and of course my tips from the 10 shifts that I worked.
The plan is, for the start, to support Red Cross---they're overwhelmed. The area is under martial law and no weapons are allowed,,,not even brass knuckles.
These people are from the Seattle area and have a long drive.
They aren't letting that stop them. The woman that I'm corresponding with has a serious back injury,,,that's not stopping her either.
Her E-mail is "Amani Ellen Loutfy" <[email protected]>
I warned them about how dangerous it will be. Desperate people, starving dogs, hepatitus, water moccasins etc, etc. They're leaving now that they have their FEMA approval. Wish them luck, they're going to need it.
You could pray for them but MONEY will be more help IMHO.
Dan

[xtine2]

I agree that it might not be simply a "pick up and go" situation right now for many people.

But rebuilding the area going to be a VERY LONG Process!

Help will be needed even a year from now, especially given how badly FEMA has bungled the whole process from the beginning....and of course, we know how short an attention span the public has...so long range efforts will probably be appreciated.

Although money is always needed in these situations, some of us have less than others...but perhaps we could somehow organize a network to send materials to affected communities.

If you watch CNN, CNBC and other mainstream media, EVEN THEY report on entire TOWNS in LA & MS that still are still in dire need of even TENTS as temporary shelter.

I saw the MAYOR of one small town appealing to a reporter about how he still hadn't gotten anything of the kind from FEMA to protect the hundreds of residents who had lost their homes and could no longer afford to stay in hotels, etc. (where they had endured the storm)

Wouldn't it be cool to see entire areas of the South populated with temporary GEODESIC DOMES until homes got rebuilt!?

Perhaps we could organize something where Burners near the Affected Area built them out of materials shipped from areas nationwide -- PVC, Metal parts, Tarps, sleeping bags, etc...

OF COURSE, THIS WOULD BE ONLY TEMPORARY since they obviously don't protect against other hurricanes or even THEFT.

But they do at least provide relief from the sun as well as some privacy for people.


As for other efforts, the Marin Human Society
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/main_contacts.html is heavily involved in rescuing abandoned pets from New Orleans....they hope to bring over 1,000 to the SF Bay Area until they are reunited with displaced owners (if ever). I plan to adopt another cat. They are apparently distributing them to area shelters like the SF SPCA.


Personally, I just look at all the free stuff on Craigslist and think "I'll bet someone there could eventually use that".....computers, blankets, beds, ANYTHING!

Other sources of info include, http://katrinahelp.tribe.net and of course CNN, etc are constantly giving out web addresses for other assisting agencies.

There will be also be a continuing need for medical professionals, including alternative healers and psychologists.

This is why a BM forum on the relief efforts would be so useful.

Perhaps it would allow people who are inclined to help could find ways that are more appropriate to their situations.

I do think it's weird that all hell broke loose down there while BM was happening this year.

I took this year off from going to BM, so I've seen everything unfold, and it's been a nightmare -- a true national disgrace! I've cried at least 50 times. (no joke)

This is HUGE and the whole country seems to be pitching in.
BM has so much to offer, it would be a shame if we didn't get more involved as a "united front" over the long haul.

Take care and thanks for reading.

[dj big E]

I felt like i must do something so i am being deployed with the red cross as an emt this week i should be theyre for 2-3 weeks. I will bring my brc spirit with me. BIG E

[karine]

Anyone who comes across 6050 Milne Blvd, please send me a photograph!
I would a pic for my kids- (their fear far worse, trust me!) & they are desperate to know what the house looks like- or their SCHOOL, Hyne's Elementary, on Harrison Blvd. (All Lakeview Area)

[email protected]

[dj big E]

what a bummer hope things get better karine BIG E

[LeChatNoir]

This was just passed on to me, you may have already seen it, since I've not checked the other threads yet:

http://www.burningman.com/blackrockcity ... trina.html

[theCryptofishist]

From the Cat's link

"But wait," you might be thinking, "wasn't I told that food and water wasn't needed when I tried to donate it during Exodus?" Yes, you were -- we weren't able to confirm until very late during Exodus that they would be needed and accepted

I was one of the people who left late and spent some time telling people that food donations wouldn't travel to the disaster area as well as money. I also said that food donations might go to a local food bank. I've heard that it does, or that DPW will take non-perishables. But I've also heard contradictory information. Of course, giving that food does create a burden on the llc to provide the gas to move it. But can anyone confirm or deny with any reasonable certaintude what does happen to food in an ordinary year?

[Lassen Forge]

There is a problem with the "pick up and go to help out" idea...

As eglitarian as it is, and as wonderful the intentions of those wanting to go, what having a buncho f people show up with a hammer and a saw and a backpack with their tent and sleeping bag in it does is really tax the local barely-existing economy. We saw this with the Tsunami in SE Asia, where people were barred from entering the area unless they were credentialed and cleared.

Otherwise you hurt those who you were trying to help by needing for yourself and the hundreds of other well-meaning volunteers a slice of the scarce resource pie that is desperately needed for the people who are alread down there, and those trying to get back there to get home.

IF you really want to get involved - and I normally don't push this organization - contact the local Red Cross, tell them you want to train as a disaster xervice worker (DSW) because you have this and this and that skill which are needed, and you want to be part of the Katrina rebuilding effort. That way, you walk in with your eyes open, you are sent in as the resources can handle your being there, and you are part of a plan to get services and thngs back on track ASAP... and you're NOT looked at as an interloper, or worse, a looter or opportunist.

This is advice from soneone who IS a DSW and has worked many dofferent disasters. You need to be affiliated with an official agency - otherwise you're wasting your time, money, resources, and talent.

Hugs 2 you...
bb

[LeChatNoir]

I agree, BBSue. That’s why I’ve been wanting the BMorg to get behind this and was ever so glad to see the link I posted above. Sounds like there’s more to come, too.

The groups down there don’t have time to organize a bunch of disorganized well intentioned people. They need for something structured to come and say, “give us the list”, and then let them dictate tasks to the folks involved within said structured group.

I, and others are continuing to research while we wait for the time we can free up and head down there with a plan.

[dj big E]

Allthough i am not deployed yet red cross is getting people down to the affected areas fast. I am on a fema list and have not heard from them yet. I am on stand by with the redcross and i was able to go through there classes in 2 days. If you can't help now remember help will be needed for at least a year. I am just in a position to go help now so i am. BIG E

[theCryptofishist]

mrFishist is still not deployed. We suspect that they are waiting to see what happend w/Rita.