From BILL LONDRIGAN
As you all know the disastrous tornadoes that hit Kentucky left huge portions of the Commonwealth with unprecedented loss of life, livelihoods and property.
Among those impacted have been thousands of union families. To assist with recovery and relief for our fellow trade unionists we have been working with our partners to design and implement a plan that will help address some of the needs of our members and their families.
Several components of our disaster relief plan are outlined below and consist of instructions for making financial contributions to our union relief fund, how to identify and access services, how to file the information necessary for us to assess and assist union members and how to direct released staff and volunteers that will be most helpful for our efforts.
There is a lot of information below and it is important that you review each item carefully so you can respond accordingly. I want to thank all of our partners and affiliates for all of their support and offers of assistance and actions that have already been taken! I know that our hearts go out to all of those that have lost loved ones and homes and so much more and by working together we can hopefully bring some relief to our Brothers and Sisters in their time of need as a union family.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR UNION DISASTER REFLIEF FUND
Our Union Disaster Relief Fund has been established to assist union families with assistance and resources through the United Way of Kentucky. The United Way of Kentucky will receive and disburse funds to union members based on the needs assessment, recommendation and authorization of our union relief committee of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO and Greater Louisville Central Labor Council.
There are two ways to make contributions: Check or Electronic Transfer
To make a contribution by check please make the check payable to: United Way of Kentucky and in the subject line: UNION DISASTER RELIEF. It is essential that UNION DISASTER RELIEF is included on the subject or notes line on the check. Checks can be sent to: United Way of Kentucky, P.O. Box 4653, Louisville, KY 40204-0653.
To make a contribution by Electronic Funds Transfer use this link: https://www.uwky.org/aflcio
ASSESSING AND IDENTIFYING ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES
In order to provide assistance to union families in need it is essential that everyone that wants to provide information to do so on the form associated with the link below. The form has been designed to provide information on available services that can be accessed by a member needing assistance, data fields for providing identifying information and detailed and specific information so that needs can be properly assessed and the appropriate assistance provided, and so that we have an organized method of tracking information and responses. So PLEASE USE the form associated with the link: ky.aflcio.org/disaster
RELEASED STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
Not surprisingly, responding to a disaster of this magnitude requires many helpers. We have been blessed with staff from the National AFL-CIO, Greater Louisville CLC the United Way and others assisting with our efforts. But we are going to need a lot more hands on deck to handle the number of cases that we expect, so we are asking for union released staff and volunteers to help us review and assess needs, assist with providing information on services, logistical support, phone banks, etc. Tim Morris, our on-site Coordinator at our Union Disaster Relief HQ at UAW Local 862 and Liles Taylor developed the Released Staff Descriptions and needs and requirements list appended below. Please take a look and see if you have the ability to release staff to our relief efforts in any of the capacities outlined below.
Disaster Release Staff Descriptions
Disaster Relief Required Hours 10am-6pm & some weekends and some evenings as needed
2 (Filled)- Relief HQ Co-Directors- Work with and assist coordinators to ensure all member needs are met. Will also manage any reimbursement requests for travel from Louisville to impacted region for purpose of delivering items. Tim Morris and Liles Taylor.
1 (Vacant)- Phone Bank Coordinator – Train volunteers on phone script, virtual phone banks, and available partner resources. Resolve any phone bank issues. Help recruit and schedule phone bank volunteers. Ensure phones and laptops are charged. Make calls when not busy assisting volunteers.
Skills: Ability to manage volunteers. Strong verbal and phone skills. Ability to use internet browsing, Email, Microsoft excel, and Microsoft Word, (preferably experience with google docs/forms).Ability to handle confidential information.
2 (Vacant)- Union Relief Coordinator –Follow up on an approved request, release staff will ensure all information for electronic transfer or written check is completed. Work with volunteers to run checks and/or items to impacted areas.
Skills: Strong verbal skills. Ability to use internet browsing, Email, Microsoft excel, and Microsoft Word, (preferably experience with google docs/forms). Strong verbal/phone skills. Ability to handle confidential information.
1 (Vacant)- Warehouse Coordinator – Coordinate warehouse of donated items and of purchased items for relief efforts. Perform intake. Will work with HQ lead to ensure accuracy of inventory.
Skills: Organized. Can drive a fork lift/use a dolly. Able to lift up to 40 lbs.
2 (Vacant) - Runners- Deliver items to union families assist with large shipments.
Skills: Clean driving record, have own automobile ;( ideally candidate would have a large car or truck for transporting large items.
3 (Vacant) Regional Relief Coordinators – Will serve as boots and eyes on the ground to ensure all resource information is accurate and up to date in assigned counties. Will also meet groups of union volunteers to provide them with information/assistance/and help answer questions. Coordinate drop offs of donated or purchased items. 1 coordinator for each of these counties most in need of Graves, Hopkins, and Warren.
Skills: Strong verbal skills, outgoing, Phone (ideally with unlimited data), Ability to use internet browsing, Email, Microsoft excel, and Microsoft Word, (preferably experience with google docs/forms).
Phone Bank Volunteers – Volunteers will make phone calls to union members in impacted counties, to assess their needs. Work to connect union members with any community services/assistance.
Skills: Strong verbal skills. Ability to handle confidential information.Ability to use internet browsing, Email, Microsoft excel, and Microsoft Word, (preferably experience with google docs/forms).