Well the time has come…our conference is just a couple of days away. And, as you can
see, I am already in New Orleans enjoying the warm sunshine, the great food, and the music. Our long anticipated Volunteer Day is tomorrow. With volunteers arriving today and working tomorrow, we are ready to provide much-welcomed help in rebuilding and assisting the people of this unique and interesting city.
On Friday night, nearly 80 volunteers will assemble for some last-minute instructions, to receive their volunteer appreciation bags, and to have a good old-fashioned pep rally. We are excited (and I’m just a little nervous too) that we are close to the day when we will finally get to swing hammers and sort and package food.
When I got here on Wednesday and drove around the area, it was obvious to me that more still needs to be done. And it’s heartwarming to know that we are doing our part – maybe in small measure for just this one day, but with big hearts and great intentions. As this is our first volunteer adventure, we are hopeful that the New Orleans experience will inspire us as an organization to do more…not just at our conferences, but wherever we feel the need justifies our help and support.
So, not only does Volunteer Day kick off the conference proceedings, it also kicks off a few days of getting to know new people, learning new BCP tricks and tools, and acquainting yourselves with the products and services that our sponsoring vendors provide. This week marks a special beginning for the DRI International Foundation and a special and meaningful start for the first annual DRI International conference. It is with much excitement, as well as genuine passion and commitment to the BC community, that we launch both and serve certified professionals and communities in need of assistance.
I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
Clyde Berger
Disaster Recovery International Foundation
Director of Volunteerism and Vice President
p.s. Volunteers, please note that the there is a Friday night information session at the Roosevelt Hotel at 7:00 p.m. CDT in the Napoleon Room. Habitat volunteers, we leave the hotel at 7:00 a.m. CDT Saturday morning. Second Harvest volunteers, we leave the hotel at 11 a.m. CDT.