Minutes – December 12, 2005 – 1:00 pm

Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana Meeting

 

18 groups with 22 persons attending.

Randy Anderson, UMCOR, Chairman

Shane O'Neill, Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Vice-Chairman

Teresa M. Julian, American Red Cross, Secretary

James Collins, Catholic Charities, Treasurer

Groups Attending: Adventist Community Services American Red Cross Bethlehem United Church of Christ Catholic Charities Epworth United Methodist Church Evansville Tri-State Assn., UCC FEMA HCRN (Hope Crisis Response Network) HOPE of Evansville Independent Person(s) Lighthouse Mission of Faith Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Salvation Army St. Vincent DePaul Society Thrivent Financial Lutheran Tri-State Food Bank UMCOR United Way

 

Attending: (in order, clockwise around each table)

Randy Anderson                 United Methodist Committee on Relief

Shane O'Neill                     Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Teresa Julian                       American Red Cross volunteer

James Collins                      Catholic Charities

Betty Shumate                    FEMA / Voluntary Agency Liaison

Tarrell Thompson               UMCOR

David Bosard                     Independent Case Supervisor

Carol Braden-Clarke          United Way (Executive Director)

Tracy Bertram                    United Way

Rev. Mike Monahan           Epworth United Methodist Church

Capt. Georgia Rodgers       The Salvation Army

John D. Small                     Bethlehem United Church of Christ

Jim Morgan                        Thrivent Financial for Lutheran

Paul W. Farmer                  Evansville Tri-State Assn., UCC

Debbie Burns                     Adventist Community Services

Donna Carr                        Catholic Charities

Barbara Tonkin                  Tri-State Food Bank

Karen Simon                      HOPE of Evansville

Crystal Obey                      HOPE of Evansville

Catherine Cykowski           FEMA

Mary Blair                          Tri-State Food Bank (Executive Director)

Carolyn Harmon                 St. Vincent DePaul Society

Bridgette Naas                   HCRN

Melanie Doty                      Lighthouse Mission of Faith

 

**********

 

The meeting was called to order by Randy Anderson, Chair.  Each person introduced themselves and the organization they represented.

 

An announcement was made that several representatives from Boonville had been invited to attend.

 

A reminder for Tuesday's training seminar was announced.  Two people from Denver were arriving to conduct the training from 9 am to 3 pm, a 6-hour orientation session.  Directions were given.

 

Carolyn Harmon reported on the Disaster Relief Center, also called the One-Stop Shop or Distribution Center.  The hours of operation have been determined:

10 – 5  M T W  F

10 – 7  THU

10 – 2  SAT

These hours may be cut back if the center is not needed during those times.  The full address is 730 S Green River Rd.  It will hopefully open Wednesday, 12/14, and will be for survivors only.  All volunteers are being provided by the St. Vincent dePaul Society.  No ad will run in the paper.  Household necessities, bedding, furniture, etc. is currently available.  Visitors need a claim number for entry (FEMA, ARC, etc.)  The Info Help line "2-1-1 First Call for Help" is being utilized.  Carol Braden-Clarke reported that it will be as organized and as controlled as possible.  A sign has been posted out front.  Delivery will be provided by St. Vincent dePaul Society but will not be daily, likely weekly.  No (or few) used items are accepted, most are new.  Appliances are being sought, especially small kitchen appliances.  Whirlpool is being approached for a possible donation.  Carolyn stressed that additional bedding is much needed.  Providing 1 blanket and sheets for each bed is a goal.  They will also pick-up donations, if necessary.  Storage – Lighthouse Mission of Faith – has bedding – can pick-up – per Melanie Doty.  The building is available through March.  United Way will handle all of the publicity.  Talking points will be made available for the Committee's use by United Way.

 

The meeting broke into the four Sub-Groups.  Volunteers Sub-Committee is being co-chaired by Randy Anderson and Ken Hortin.  Case Work Sub-Committee is being chaired by Shane O'Neill.  Finance Sub-Committee is being chaired by James Collins.  Marketing/Public Awareness Sub-Committee is being chaired by Father Joseph Ziliak.

 

Sub-Committee Reports:

 

Marketing/Public Awareness: 

·        Cathy Cykowski will be issuing a press release and needs someone to appear with her supervisor, Marianne Jackson on WNIN's Shively & Shoulders show on Thursday evening, 12/15, at 7:00.  Shane O'Neill volunteered.  The DRC (FEMA's Disaster Recovery Office) will be closing Friday, 12/16/05.  Once the DRC closes, work will continue via this Committee.  Betty announced that 12/19/05 would be her last meeting.  Cathy is leaving next week. 

·        The ID's have been printed to prevent scams.  Photos are possible, or maybe photos just for case workers.  Debbie Burns can take pictures at the training seminar Tuesday, 12/13.  The Secretary will keep all personal information and ID numbers and forms.  There was much discussion regarding the format and information collection by case workers.  A prototype of an ID badge will include a "valid" date.

 

Case Manager/Case Workers:

·        Will meet after tomorrow's training seminar.

 

Volunteers:

·        Clean up well

·        Major repair volunteers needed

 

Finance:

·        The paperwork was sent last week for the seed grant from Church World Service.  (Their web address is http://www.churchworldservice.org/)  There has been no response yet, but it is thought the seed grant of $2500 would be increase to $5000.  A checking account will be opened for the Committee.  Church World Service is not known for their quick response.  Thrivent Financial for Lutheran took the prototype ID card to present for a funding request at their meeting tonight.  They will also need Catholic Charities' 501(c)(3) information.

·        Donations should be made payable to "LTRCSI – Memo Line: Tornado" or "Tornado LTRCSI" and can be mailed to 123 NW Fourth Street, Evansville, IN  47708, the address for Catholic Charities.  It is neither necessary nor desirable to include that organization in the "Pay To" line.

·        Catholic Charities may provide up to $60,000 for a seed grant.

 

New Business

Lighthouse Mission of Faith has had several wish lists for Christmas.  Both Tri-State Food Bank and Salvation Army are providing these needs.  The applications are not in-depth, but applicants must come in to apply.  The key is to identify themselves as being affected by the tornado.

 

Salvation Army reported that they had seen just 2 checks from the Media Telethon:  $149,000 and $60,000.  They have had over $280,000 in expenses.  The telethon monies could be earmarked for either the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, but the "pot" was not just split in half.

 

Some concern was expressed that when seeking donations for tornado relief by the Committee, many may indicate they have already given by giving to the telethon.  There was some dispute over whether Rebuilding or Immediate Needs should be the focus for our fundraising.

 

The Marketing/Public Awareness Sub-Committee was advised to get correct information and clarify all information before releasing it to the general public.  The Committee's focus was reiterated to be "Unmet Needs" – period.

 

HCRN reported that several construction crews had volunteered to work over the Christmas break.  Please call Bridgette Naas at 931-980-6227 if you find a need they can fill.

 

SWIMHC (Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center) will be opening a Support Group for survivors at Epworth UMC on Tuesday or Thursday, 12/20 or 12/22.  It was thought 12/22 would be their first meeting.  This information has yet to be confirmed.

 

Insurance advocates are still needed for people struggling with their insurers.  The State Insurance Commission is available.  It was stressed by FEMA that people receiving unsatisfactory settlement checks should not cash their check and should also get more than one (1) estimate for home repair/replacement by a licensed claims adjuster for damage assessment.

 

HOPE of Evansville presented their application process.  They reported that incomes considered were based on family size, and generally were $31,700 for single or $45,500 for a family of four.  Bankruptcy cases are considered, as HOPE has lender/partners that will consider applications if the bankruptcy case was 2 or more years ago.

 

Shane O'Neill invited all those interested to attend a prayer vigil on Wednesday at 5:30 pm at the Federal Building out front regarding the House Budget.

 

Minutes from 12/5/05 were not read as time did not permit.

 

(NOTE:  All groups/persons are needed at the table so as unmet needs are identified, all groups will be available to provide options for meeting those needs.)

 

All were dismissed by 3:15 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Teresa Julian

Secretary, LTRCSI