Once again the gulf coast states of these United States have fallen victim to another devastating storm. As a South Louisiana coastal resident, this is becoming a much too familiar event and it seems that each passing year, the frequency continues to rise as much as the water rises. Man has yet to invent a bulldozer as powerful as a 15 foot wall of water that measures hundreds of miles in length. Bottom line – man always loses.

I have served as the program chair for the two previous Rotary Emergency Disaster Initiative (REDI) and I am on the steering committee for our 3rd annual REDI conference to be held this December in Nassau, Bahamas. PRID Don Mebus and RID Phil Silvers have appointed me Zone 25-26 Disaster Coordinator in the hopes that together we can build a REDI pipeline to be in a position to handle emergencies such as what we are experiencing right now. Currently we are still in the formative stages in the development of this pipeline and in another two weeks we will share with you how to help us build it as we will hold two breakout sessions at the upcoming zone institute in Boise.

But this information doesn’t help you today. Those District Governors who are a victim of Hurricanes Gustav or Ike are receiving hundreds of phone calls with offers of help and/or requests for help. At times it seems a bit overwhelming and it is causing you many sleepless nights. In all probability, you too are a victim. So what do you do?

Here are a few tips to guide you through the next few weeks. These tips are the result of our two previous REDI conferences and I hope you find them useful.

1. As a sitting District Governor, hand off the responsibility of disaster relief to a District Disaster Coordinator. If you don’t, your effectiveness as Governor will be negatively impacted and you will be consumed with the burdens of disaster relief.


2. Empower your ROTARY CLUBS with the responsibility of providing disaster relief. Local Rotarians and clubs know first hand their communities needs. Have your District’s disaster coordinator inventory those needs so that he/she can effectively channel volunteers to those areas of need.


3. Avoid the temptation of entering the warehouse business! There are other organizations in these communities that are far more affective in providing this service than Rotary. PARTNER with these organizations and “hand-off” any relief supplies you are able to secure to these partners who can help with the distribution.


4. PARTNER, PARTNER, AND PARTNER! There are many faith-based and community-based organizations who will welcome Rotary’s participation in their relief efforts. Join forces with these organizations and your effectiveness will more than double. Rotary is NOT in the credit business – mankind is our business.


5. Assuming that your district did not enter into a partnering arrangement with the American Red Cross, your Office of Emergency Preparedness, or other first responder organizations - stay out of their way. They do not have the time or the inclination to deal with Rotary during a time of disaster. Let it be known to them that you are prepared to offer assistance whenever they have a need for Rotary.


6. Pray like heck that you have the wisdom and fortitude to survive the next 2 months of chaos.

Please share with me the contact information of your district’s disaster coordinator. I will keep in contact with that person as we continue to inventory the needs of your area.

I wish all of you well as you work through this crisis.

Yours in Rotary …

Don Chauvin, PDG D6200
Zone 25-26 Disaster Coordinator




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