The Birmingham - 100 ^th Rotary International Convention is history. We look forward to meeting again in Montreal one year from now when we will celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Canada. This wonderful cosmopolitan city will be a great venue for the convention and meeting place of our Rotarian Action group.

Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group - Board of Directors Meeting

Date:  Saturday, 20 June 2009

Board Member Invitees:

PRID Sushil Gupta, PDG Cam King, PRID Barry Rassin, PRID John Thorne, PRID Jose Pretoni. TRF Trustee Peter Bundgaard, PRID Tony de St.Dalmas, PDG Hoe Beng Fong
Officer Invitees: Lee Malany, President and CEO; PDG Eddie Blender, PRID Robert Stuart, Corporate Secretary; PP David Brady CA, Ass't Treasurer; Kevin Webb, Ass't Secretary;

The meeting opened with a message from President Lee Malany to DRRAG BOARD MEMBERS

The policy body for DRRAG, under both the Rotary International rules and the Laws of the State of Illinois is the Board of Directors; they are the only ones who can make and implement policy.  Under Illinois law the Board adopts policy by a resolution and it takes a majority to do so.  The Directors are elected at the AGM.

Based on communications of May 12, 2009, the following were among the decisions made. For a complete review of the minutes, please go to: WWW.DRRAG.ORG

Report of the Chair:

This has been a very difficult year for natural disasters.  Citizens have suffered:

• Property damage,
• Bodily injuries and
• Loss of life from

o      Large fires,

o      Pervasive flooding,

o     Tornadoes and

o      Hurricanes.

o      Refugee movements

The haunting picture sent from Haiti, just a few weeks ago is indelibly imprinted on my mind. Sitting on a curb-stone, beside a ravaged stilt house - a frail and bleeding young girl - a tear in her eye and a caption that read:  "She has just lost her mother. What will she do now?"  Rotary should be able to answer that question!

In recent times - indeed, since the RI Board has recognized DRRAG as an official Rotarian Action Group, we have witnessed over 600 natural disaster: Some come to mind  -- past and present: the Great Tsunami - Katrina - Guturat - Hanna - Gustav - Ike - the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and earthquakes in China - Russia - India (Bihar) - Pakistan - Italy - the list is endless

Italians Rotarians have identified the re-building of a University demolished in the recent earthquake. The peoples of Northern Pakistan are still cleaning up after the devastating earthquake. The number of dead still unknown and recovery plans well under way! Now, the refugee problem continues to occupy the service efforts of Rotarians in that part of the world. The lives of those unfortunate peoples will forever be marked by those tragic events as so many in North America were affected by the storms of Katrina!

For the rest of their lives and perhaps for several generations their family stories and indeed the nation's story will include painful accounts of

•   Cyclone
• Volcano eruptions or
• The earthquake

While many of those affected by these disasters have adequate insurance coverage to cover their financial losses, most in the developing world do not. For the most part, those are the people who can least afford the loss of their home or business. Also, there are many public entities that do not have adequate reserves to replace infrastructure, schools, hospitals and related equipment.

Of course, this does not even address the stress, anguish, physical injuries and the loss of a loved one.

As all of you know, Rotary International is making a difference!

• What can we as Rotarians do when these events take place?

• What should Rotarians do when these events take place

It is my hope that this session will go a long way in answering those questions! No one is immune - therefore we should all be prepared!

RAGS

In 2006, when the application was made to become a Rotary Action Group, there was no recognized Rotary International Board sanctioned structure in place for Rotarians to respond to natural or man-made disasters. 

Rotarians are generous and we want to reach out when someone needs help Rotarians want to work with other Rotarians in the Rotary World as need arises. Historically, Rotary's finest humanitarian work has occurred face-to-face, between clubs and districts. This is the process fostered by DRRAG. DRRAG will be an educational tool and address issues related to rebuilding after natural disaster strikes in the traditional Rotary ways.

By our worldwide presence, Rotary and Rotarians will be there to help by exemplifying - by very graphic efforts - our motto of "Service Above Self"

In the future, we expect Rotary will come to be regarded as one of the trusted Response and Rebuilding organizations, one that is invited to participate with the major International NGO's, UN and Government-related organizations. At the regional and local level, our District and Club Committees are being asked to establish formal ties with government and Civil Disaster Relief and Emergency Measures organizations. Many Club and District Disaster preparedness committees are now being formed and with the help of DRRAG, teaching and planning information is becoming available to the leaders at both the club and district levels.

Rotary can play an important role in providing both volunteers assets and diverse vocational expertise at the community level. Working with DRRAG Club and District Operation Officers under the direction of the DG's, Disaster Relief can evolve into both Community and World Community Service projects.

We call these Rotarians C-DOOs and D-DOOs

The most important roles will be played out at the local Rotary Club.

The Global Networking Group will provide a worldwide structure for Rotarians to effectively prepare and participate in disaster response and recovery that will be both timely and long-term. Doing things together will always enhance the overall effectiveness of any individual effort.

Our long-term aim is to be the umbrella organization that coordinates:       

• Training,
• Response,
• Recovery and
• Relief;

Our friend Lee Malany - CEO of DRRAG - spent time on the front line there for 6 weeks. He is now in Bangladesh dealing with the flooding problems! Upon his return, he will be working with Past RI Director Barry Rassin to round out our training materials and prepare us for the second annual jointly sponsored D/R Workshop and global conference scheduled for Huston Texas February 5-7, 2010. As many will k now, our President Lee is a Disaster Response and Mitigation Engineer Shelter, land and Infrastructure Cyclone Aila Unit, Bangladesh Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance U.S. Agency for International Development.

   DRRAG is fundamentally commited to following on the SPHERE
protocols The aim of the alignment with this internationally
recognized leader in Disaster relief is to develop a set of minimum
standards in core areas of humanitarian assistance in order to
improve the quality of help provided to people affected by
disasters, and to enhance the accountability of the humanitarian
system within Rotary of disaster response.

   Of course, we want to enhance Rotary International's capacity to
respond to natural disasters and prepare clubs to respond to a
major natural disaster in their own community using the Rotary
Sphere Project model. An important objective of DRRAG is to
increase the ability for clubs to build membership by appealing to
individuals who are interested in disaster response but would not
otherwise join a Rotary club. DRRAG also aspires to be a part of
the Sphere Project leadership.

            The lofty DRRAG mission invites us to:

Support and unify Rotarian involvement in relief and development activities locally, regionally and worldwide in order to

• Save lives,
• Alleviate suffering,
• Stimulate recovery, and
• Mitigate the short and long term affects of natural disasters;

To do this, DRRAG will:

1. Support Rotarians, Clubs and Districts in assisting communities to:
2. Establish and maintain effective preparedness systems, programs and structures;
3. Timely and successful response to the consequences of a disaster; and,
4. In recovering and rebuilding after a disaster; and
5. Helping communities mitigate against the consequences of a disaster by:

1.  
   • Surge capacity assistance
   • Financial management assistance
   • Fund raising coordination
   • Pre-disaster risk reduction
   • Post-disaster risk reduction built into recovery projectsProvide training
   • Create a global Rotary Emergency Management organization based on the Rotary network of clubs and districts
   • Help relief and rebuilding programs scale up and scale down
   • Provide specialized, human skill sets and best practices
   • Maintain and foster standard protocols and best practices guidelines
   • Coordinate fund-raising initiatives
   • Assist in financial management; and
   • Assist in communications, and
   • Engage the international relief and development community as a whole
   • To strengthen Rotarian's operational efficiency and effectiveness in dealing with disasters;
   • To enhance Rotarian's capacity to lead in disaster interventions; and,
   • To improve the knowledge, skill and performance of Rotarians involved in disaster operations.
   • Funding,
   • Volunteering,
   • Shipping,
   • WCS projects in the rebuilding stages etc.)
   • Working with TRF in the customary International Service modal
   • Developing relations through MOU's with Rotary and non-Rotary entities who are engaged in Disaster relief at all ends of its spectrum
   • Launch of new memberships enrollment accepted on line
   • Extensive communications with RI RAGs Committee and G/S
   • Operational Plan for District and Club training strategies and materials has been delayed. The Board looks forward to a report from lead trainer PRID Barry Rassin some time following June 30 ^th 2009. CEO Lee Malany and Barry Rassin will present at the REDI/DRRAG conference in Huston in early 2010 following which an announcement and implementation plans and materials will be adopted.
   • On-line Banking arrangements completed
   • Cooperative relations pending with other Rotary entities (ShelterBox, Scouting, ROTI)
   • USA Membership Chair and roving ambassador selected
   • 6 newsletters circulated
   • Annual Up-date to the General Secretary of Rotary International filed as required.    
   • Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Meetings convened in Mumbai on February 28 ^th 2009 - hosted by PRID Sushil Gupta and Nassau, hosted by PRID Barry Rassin Minutes have been circulated and found on the web site.                      
   •  Development of a "Request for Assistance Form" to be used by District Governors who seek assistance from DRRAG and are desirous of having DRRAG act as his/her agent for the purpose of raising funds and assisting in other ways. Such requests are subject to the following policy and subject to positioning on issues not yet determined including:

2. The overall intent of the DRRAG Strategic Plan is to develop a framework that will allow DRRAG, in conjunction with the worldwide network of Rotary International (RI) to be as an effective partner in facilitating the development and implementation of sustainable international development programs during the "rebuilding" phase of the disaster management continuum.

   Short Term Objectives of DRRAG

   1.                              Develop and enhance membership base

   2.                              Refine corporate structure

   3.                              Secure cooperative relationships with Rotary and Non- Rotary entities

   4.                              Identify roles for clubs and district committees and Rotarian involvement

   5.                              Develop training modules and best practices

   The long-term position of DRRAG in assisting Rotarian disaster operation programs, DRRAG will:

   The initial effort (for the first three years, through 2011) will be:

   As DRRAG CEO Lee Malany has said from the beginning:

    "The clubs are the keys to DRRAGs usefulness."

    They are the entities on the ground that both re-act first and are keys in the recovery and rebuilding stages. We are positioned to act as facilitators, communicators, and encouragers! This is consistent with the intent expressed in Rotary's Code of Policies regarding the relationship between Rotarian Action Groups and Rotary Clubs.

   The District Governor and district support becomes essential in the traditional WCS strategies. We can do our best work by having DRRAG members - knowledgeable about our mandate service at both levels. The support of the DG is so very important.

   Club Coordinators and District Committees.
   By building our membership in both these areas, we position ourselves best for the future. Rotarians need to be empathetic with the plight of Rotarians and their Communities on the other side of the world and around the corner! Local Rotarians need to know that the Rotary world cares. By allowing the Rotary world to "feel good" with themselves, we need to offer them are variety of opportunities.

                So. In short, we need to be poised for that business solution at the outset of a disaster. DRRAG will only engage when the District calls for help from the Rotary world.

   Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods affect people all over the world. With 9 out of 10 of the victims living in developing countries, the challenges can be enormous. When disaster strikes, DRRAG should be positioned to work quickly with experienced partners both within and outside of the Rotary Network to provide emergency relief and the recovery service.

   When a crisis hits and the needs of the affected communities exceed the capacity of their governments and local NGO's including Rotary Clubs, DRRAG needs to be engaged to provide assistance through an established Rotary-based humanitarian-response system.

   What can individual Rotarians and clubs and organizations in the short term to support the work of the Disaster Relief Action Group? We need help building this important organizational structure.  Recognizing the need for DRRAG and educating and appointing interested and dedicated Rotarians to participate will be Job #1.

   Individual Rotarians - Rotary club members - can join DRRAG. It will be important to expand our membership base to involve as many Clubs as possible. Rotarians are recognized as major sources of volunteer and financial support in responses to natural disasters. When disasters occur, we immediately work to keep the Rotary world informed about what Rotary could do and what Rotary was doing!

   Through newsletters, emails and web presence, we jumped into the communications needs in Myanmar and Haiti and Cayman Brac by providing Rotarians with information about responding to Rotary and Rotary-related entities. In China, we specifically directed Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to those Rotary Organizations that were positioned to raise funds and provide on the ground help through the R/C of Beijing.

   We promoted ShelterBox  (Tom Henderson - a member of our Advisory Board). A charter flight of 1,000 boxes arrived in Myanmar on May 15 ^th. 5 days after the cyclone in Myanmar disaster teams in Yangon have been trained on ShelterBox contents and setting up tents. The boxes were transferred straight off the aircraft onto trucks and then taken into affected areas with the local staff in various locations in the outlying delta and islands. Rotarians from Thailand surreptitiously slipped into Myanmar to assist in transitional house development and medical supplies.  

   The immediate response by of 800 Shelter Boxes to China began reaching some of the Sichuan Provinces worst hit villages on May 27 ^th, when the four-person ShelterBox Response Team on the ground. DRRAG cooperated with ShelterBox's Tom Henderson in communicating the information to the Rotary world.

   Disaster relief can be a door opener for Rotarians to help people in other ways as well. After temporary shelter and water and food have been provided, too often the victims are left on their own. DRRAG will become involved in transition housing, health issues, education, governance, infrastructure, rebuilding - all the things that Rotarians do so well around the globe through traditional WCS and CS Avenues of Service.

   We are so very fortunate to be well connected with senior leaders of Rotary and well-known active Rotarians in Communications. We are well placed with leadership around the Rotary World. Thanks to all the leaders. Your support has not gone unrecognized!

   All of this bodes well for our ability to fashion creative cooperative relationships so as to enhance our operational effectiveness. It will take some time to realize many of our most important goals but the organizational time will result in Rotary becoming a world leader in Disaster Management and provide meaningful new opportunities for service for Rotarians worldwide.

   Thank you all for what you are doing to help make this Dream Real!

   Administration Reports

   The Board receives reports and acknowledges the actions taken by administration in respect of the following action items:

   Policies Adopted: These are found on the Members only website CLICK HERE