AGA TOPICS Newsletter

President Hart Organizes Volunteer Trip to New Orleans 

National President Jeff Hart, CGFM, and Capital Region Vice President Karl Boettcher, CGFM, are organizing a trip to New Orleans to offer support to victims of Hurricane Katrina as they continue to put their lives back together.

While visiting the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Chapters in March, Jeff got a first-hand view of the devastation that remains in East New Orleans and the Ninth Ward and how many people remain homeless or living in trailers 18 months after Katrina. (For more details, see Jeff’s April 9 TOPICS column where he first announced this project).

AGA members, their families and friends are encouraged to join Jeff, Karl, Past National President Charles Harrison, CGFM, and hopefully many others for a day, a weekend or the whole week beginning Monday morning June 4 and ending Saturday night June 9.

AGA members may lend their time and talent to one or a combination of tasks: (1) building a house with Habitat for Humanity, (2) acting as an advocate to help residents get the insurance or other help that they need or (3) providing financial counseling to residents. The New Orleans Chapter is also polling its members to find out who may need our help in rebuilding their own homes.

One of the first AGA members to volunteer for this project was Pam Lincoln, CGFM, who said, “As a New Orleans Chapter member, I am greatly moved by your President's message to the AGA family about your experience at the March chapter meeting...not to mention the financial support to our chapter in December 2005. From my perspective, the AGA leadership and chapters have reached out to the New Orleans Chapter in ways one could not imagine and provided us with the strength to stay focused. Much appreciation for your inspiring message and looking forward to working with you and fellow AGA members the week of June 3rd. I am even more proud today to be associated with AGA than I've been in my many years of chapter membership and leadership.”

Each AGA volunteer will be responsible for paying for their own travel, meals, and lodging. However, we are investigating airfare and lodging discounts. For example, Karl arranged a 5 percent discount from American Airlines to New Orleans from anywhere in the U.S. The contract discount code is A1057BG. Call American Airlines at 800.433.1790 to make the reservation. Volunteers may also stay at Camp Hope, an elementary school that has been turned into modest volunteer accommodations. At $100 per week (or $20/day) including meals, it is a great value. Jeff and Karl are continuing to investigate additional travel and lodging discounts. 

Chapters may also earn Chapter Recognition Program points for each person they send to New Orleans.

Jeff asks regional and chapter leaders to publicize this event in chapter and regional newsletters. Members who wish to participate should contact Jeff at hart.jeff@epa.gov to indicate their interest or to obtain additional information.  Come join your AGA friends for a fulfilling (and fun!) time in New Orleans!