REDI V Conference

3 04 2010

R U REDI ?

Disasters can strike at any time. Without notice. Without any consideration for your plans…or lack of them.

Just look at Haiti. The hurricane season had just ended. Everything was back to normal.

And then the unthinkable happened.

How prepared are you and your Rotary club to meet a disaster head-on?

Be REDI…

REDI is the Rotarian Emergency Disaster Initiative. REDI’s mission is to train Rotarians to be prepared when disaster strikes. REDI does not provide disaster response. It provides training and preparation.

As noted by Jeremy Hurst, Committee Chairman of the upcoming REDI V conference:

REDI’s primary role is to train and prepare the Disaster Chairs and committees at club level (through the development of a Disaster Recovery Plan for their club), with the goal of ensuring their club is as prepared as possible in times of disaster and can most effectively deliver the necessary service programmes at a time when they will be needed most. REDI’s role is not to carry out any disaster recovery programme itself.

REDI’s Roots…

REDI was launched in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by the three Rotary Directors of the paired zones along the gulf coast. Don Mebus, Barry Rassin and Bob Stuart convened the North American-Rotary Emergency Disaster Initiative “REDI” to discuss what had been learned and help the zones be prepared for any future disaster. Since that time, REDI’s scope has broadened to include the Caribbean and South America. This new scope triggered a name change in 2010 to Rotarian Emergency Disaster Initiative.

In 2007, the first REDI conference (REDI I) was held in New Orleans, followed by the second (REDI II) in Nashville, Tennessee, the third (REDI III) in Nassau, Bahamas, and the fourth (REDI IV) in Houston, Texas.

REDI V will be held in the Cayman Islands, hosted by District 7020 on the 11th and 12th of February, 2011. Its theme is: REDI for PEACE: Preparation, Evaluation, Association, Communication, Execution

REDI V – DAY I…

On the first day of the REDI V Conference, attendees will work on developing Preparation and Evaluation skills for disaster preparedness. Tasks will involve reviewing and updating Emergency Operations Plans for each Rotary Club represented at the Conference. The day will end with a Thanksgiving Sunset Reception at the residence of the Governor of the Cayman Islands.

REDI V – DAY II…

The second day of the REDI V Conference begins with expert instruction regarding Association (partnering with government and public entities, other service associations, etc.) and Communication (including use of social media and the politics of communication).

World-Famous Keynote Speaker…

The day will continue with a luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker General Russel L. Honoré, who is best known for coordinating military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina-affected areas across the Gulf Coast and restoring order to New Orleans, Louisiana.

As noted in Wikipedia:

“On August 31, 2005, [General] Honoré was designated commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina-affected areas across the Gulf Coast. He gained media celebrity and accolades for his apparent turning around of the situation in the city as well as his gruff management style which contrasted with what many felt were the empty platitudes of civilian officials.”

Test Your REDI-ness…

After the luncheon, the REDI V Conference will become a disaster scene as attendees test their Emergency Operation Plans in the Execution phase of the conference. Afterwards, round-table discussions and observations by a panel of experts will help attendees determine the strength of their plans.

REDI R&R…

Following the conference, attendees are invited to fly to the charming island of Cayman Brac for hospitality offered by the Rotary Club of Cayman Brac. Newly recovered from virtual destruction by Hurricane Paloma in 2008, this tropical paradise is a positive lesson in the resilience of both people and nature.

So, make plans now to reserve your spot at the most exciting REDI Conference, ever!

REDI’s Mission:

REDI’s mission is to train Rotarians to be prepared when disaster strikes.
REDI does not provide disaster response,
but is dedicated to training and preparation.