Katrina volunteering, redux

[judecorp]

I'm so confused over all of this Katrina volunteering stuff. Every time I make some sort of decision and feel good about it, something else comes up and I get all confused again. Ugh. I need to stop getting information!

So I had decided to put aside the Red Cross, register with the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, and wait. I was originally going to try to help out when evacuees came to the Cape, but then the evacuees weren't coming, so I was going to wait some more. Aside from that, the Commonwealth wanted volunteers but couldn't provide any sort of lodging but wanted two-week commitments, so I didn't know how that was going to work.

Today I found out (at work) that evacuees have come, and more are coming! And state government apparently contacted a bunch of Trauma Response folks around the state to try to mobilize workers. My agency (not my EI division, but another part of our big organization) has a Trauma Response Team and I guess they got contacted, and were looking for more volunteers who were not part of the TRT but were licensed clinicians. So our Director called me into her office because she knew I wanted to help, and she, Coworker Nicole, and I filled out forms to give our names to the TRT lady.

I also mentioned to my Director that I thought it would be a GREAT goodwill gesture if our Big Organization agreed to let accepted volunteers use sick time to cover the time that they would go help out at the Air Force Base. So she called the President of our organization and left him a voicemail to ask him! Gosh, that would really be win-win, because we all have too much sick time and it would be nice to get financial support from our agency for our efforts.

So for the rest of the day I was pretty happy with what I had going on: I was on a list for local volunteering at the AFB (if they take me) and I was on a list nationally for HHS (if they take me); we have our guest room listed as a housing choice for evacuees; we're thinking about trying to take in a displaced pet; we've donated to the Red Cross.

This evening I received e-mail from the MA Red Cross regarding TONS more Disaster Trainings being offered. So many! Next weekend, the weekend after, during the week... so many. So now part of me wants to sign up for one as I'd originally planned, but I know that taking Disaster Training commits me to be willing to go down there, and now I'm worried that if I did that I would be totally overextended - what if every group called me up? I would be volunteering for the next forever and I would never work again! (That would be bad, my Director would kick my butt.) But I /really/ want to be registered with the Red Cross.

I received e-mail today that 20,000 people have already registered on the HHS website, so it's quite unlikely that I will never hear from them. On that hand, I want to sign up for the Red Cross. But it's possible that I /do/ get called up by HHS. And I'm also very possibly helping out at Otis AFB.

Too many possible opportunities, no definites, not enough free time. Wanting to help people is a frickin' CURSE!

I swear, someday I will write about something /other/ than my volunteering dilemmas. Honest.

Comments

[jadefu.livejournal.com]

According to our local Red Cross communications person that I've spoken to several times this week because of work stuff, they're going to be needing field volunteers for at least 6-12 months they think at this point. So take a deep breath! *hug* There's nothing wrong with wanting to help too much, just don't stress yourself out in the process.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Good point. I'm sure there will be trainings in October if they still need people. And in November if they still need people. And so on. Right now I will stick with what I have and see what happens.

I think. I could change my mind tomorrow, of course. I'm such a trainwreck like that.

p.s. We want to see you again someday. Hopefully!!

[thespian.livejournal.com]

I think it's marvellous that you can help.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks, S. I do, too. I think I'm very privileged to be able to pull even half of this off - to have a guest room to offer, to have the ability (with some tight budgeting) to take some unpaid time off work and still make it, etc. We're very fortunate, which is part of the reason I want to be there for others.

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've already taken on a lot. don't take so much on that you can't handle all of it!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

All of this activity gives me hope that you will find something in your area. Maybe the Red Cross is doing a bunch of disaster trainings up there, too!

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I heard yesterday that some refugees are coming here. My housemate got hooked up with a gig doing animal rescue in MS, too, which is cool.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[carina-s.livejournal.com]

Someday you will write, "Tell me you love me in your husky lesbian voice." Shit. It's been so long I can't remember how it goes anymore. PANTS.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I want you to tell me you love me in your husky lesbian voice!