DRRAG
Provides Missing Link
Disaster Relief Rotary
Action Group (DRRAG) Provides “Missing Link” among Rotarians
to better respond to global communities struck by disaster
November 26, 2008 London ON, CN – The Disaster Relief Rotary
Action Group, recognized by Rotary International, today launched
an innovative online initiative that will connect Rotary’s
33,000 clubs worldwide in a massive online community focused on
improving the organization’s global disaster relief efforts.
The Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group (DRRAG) online network,
powered by IGLOO Software, will provide a worldwide community for
Rotarians to participate in disaster preparedness, response recovery
and community rebuilding efforts of areas struck by disasters.
The New DRRAG community
will connect 1.2 million Rotary Club members in massive network
focused on increasing the effectiveness of global relief efforts.
“The community
will give DRRAG the capacity to better engage Rotarians in our disaster
relief outreach and provide a mechanism for action,” says
John Eberhard, DRRAG Chairman. “Together IGLOO and DRRAG will
be a constructive force for good in the service outreach of Rotarians.”
Eberhard says Rotary
International has long played a role in relief efforts, most recently
in Myanmar, China, the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, and the southern
USA. “But by using powerful new community and Web 2.0 social
networking software, DRRAG will significantly increase the support
for our member clubs to coordinate relief efforts, funnel donations
and provide support for the implementing agencies on the ground.”
When a disaster occurs,
specially trained professionals from one of the more than 200 countries
and geographical areas Rotary operates will tap into the DRRAG community
to solicit support from members, provide volunteering opportunities,
provide links to other international emergency management NGO’s
and governments and keep them updated on relief efforts, and then
channel information and resources to the dozens of agencies that
respond to global crises.
DRRAG will use the community
to respond to requests from District Governors of Rotary in affected
areas to assist them in raising funds to respond to local disasters.
Eberhard says DRRAG will be an enabler, supporting on-the-ground
relief efforts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other
relief agencies. But he says that after temporary shelter and water
and food have been provided, too often victims are left on their
own. DRRAG will stay involved over a longer term to support health
issues, education, governance, infrastructure and rebuilding efforts.
As a first step, the
DRRAG community will play a key role in training club members globally
using project protocols of how to respond to local crises. The program
will focus on preparedness, response, recovery (rebuilding) and
remediation. It will stress the importance of forging close links
to other local emergency management organizations.
How can you get Involved?
Process your annual membership
fee of US$25.00 and you are a member of the DRRAG network.
Rotarian Action Group
membership is open to Rotarians, Spouses of Rotarians and Rotaractors.
We would like to ask every recipient to forward this email to all
Rotarians in your personal network and have them join this rapidly
growing network. For any questions about DRRAG or general enquiries,
please do not hesitate any DRRAG zone, district and/or club coordinator.
We need your involvement
& support. - John J. Eberhard, QC LLD., Chairman, DRRAG
The
DRRAG Organization
The DRRAG Organizational
Model
The main function of “Disaster
Relief – Rotarian Action Group” (DRRAG) will be to ensure
community preparedness, work on emergency response (disaster relief
initiatives), and help in the coordination of any recovery and rebuilding
programs in the areas affected. The ongoing role will be training,
needs assessment, fundraising and working collaboratively with the
Rotary International Network in global efforts to mitigate the immediate
and long term affects of natural and other disasters.
DRRAG Country Coordinators
The terms of reference for DRAG Country Coordinators is evolving.
Among other responsibilities will be the linkages of the major NGO
and Government Emergency Response organizations within the Country.
These relationship are intended to foster a close working relationship
in preparedness and response situations in which Country Coordinators
will provide the invaluable services of communication and links to
Zone, District and Club coordinators. They will be the key spokesman
in the Country for all DRRAG communications to organizations outside
of Rotary. In turn will be expected to work with Zone, District and
Club Disaster Operations Officers and coordinators who will work with
the clubs and community E/R teams and organizations, so as to ensure
the establishment of local emergency response committees. DRRAG President,
Lee Malany, will be circulating material in support of this position.
Zone DRRAG Coordinators
Among other responsibilities will be the appointment, by Zone Coordinators,
of the District Coordinators within your Zone. These in turn will
be expected to appoint Club Disaster Cordinators who will work with
their club committee to ensure the establishment of local emergency
response liaison.
District DRRAG Coordinators
The terms of reference for District Coordinators or "job description"
for a District Coordinator is to create, with the permission and under
the direction of the District Governor, a District ____ DRRAG Committee.
Among other responsibilities will be the appointment, by the District
Coordinator, of the Club Coordinators within the District. These in
turn will be expected to appoint Club Disaster Operations Committee,
made up of people with specific responsibilities who who will work
with the community to ensure the establishment of local emergency
response committees and liniks with existing related organizations.
These grass roots committees will have very specific terms of reference
which are now a work in progress. In the very near future, DRRAG,
will be circulating this material. We will be working in cooperation
with other RI entities.
Club DRRAG Coordinators
The terms of reference for Club Coordinators is evolving and in due
course, we will forward to you a "job description". Among
other responsibilities will be the appointment of the CLUB DRRAG Committee
under the guidance of the President and his/her Board in in cooperation
with the District Coordinator. The Club Coordinator will work with
the committee and the community clubs to ensure the establishment
of local emergency response liaision.
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