We are linked worldwide in a plea that all are healthy and safe as each new day begins.

Also add my name to those willing to do a “benefit” presentation with all proceeds going to a relief fund.

It’s another excellent use of this blog — to share best practices, if you will, that might just lead others to take similar actions.

And since the need for relief, especially in the form of money, will continue for many years after the initial clean-up, it’s never too late to take such actions.

God bless you, Gerard. I’ve forwarded your offer to some people and I hope they take you up on your generous offer.

We should take our lead from those who are closest to the crisis and who can best identify what kinds of assistance they’ll need in the coming days and weeks.

It’s easy (but seldom helpful) to try to second-guess what people should do in situations like this. Instead, for those of us outside the affected areas, the most constructive thing we can do is to donate to relief agencies now and stand ready to respond in other ways that may only become apparent as the recovery effort unfolds.

But there may also be a special role for those of us in the communications profession.

Nothing is as amazing as the indomitable human spirit. I have no doubt that, over time, we’ll witness incredible stories of people’s resilience and determination to rebuild not just their homes, but their lives. Out of the sadness and horror will undoubtedly emerge great courage and inspiration. We should be prepared to not only support them, but to chronicle their stories.

In the meantime, I too am happy to offer my guest room to a colleague who may need it for the duration. Pennsylvania may be a long distance from the Gulf coast — but right now, that may be a good thing.

To those of you affected, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

In the grand scheme of things, my problems are minor. In fact, they are not problems at all. There are hundreds of thousands of people tonight that have no home, few possessions and no way to make a living. I am staying with friends in a city that still has food, potable water, power and telecommunications systems that work - and I have a home and family waiting for me when I do catch a flight. I don’t think I’ll spend much time worrying about getting the car thing worked out.

So they’ve got a $20,000 asset that is not up to its roofline in mud, but will be safely at some airport drop off in Texas.

All thanks to you and Julie.

You might want to rebook your flight from somewhere else, too. Or at least check with the officials of the governments of various US jurisdictions, to make sure you will be allowed to drive anywhere near the New Orleans airport.

It’s fascnating how professional communications was used before, during and after the storm.

Dead bodies all over the place, …

A story I thought was sharp today came from Home Depot, where they are alrady loading trucks to take the most important rebuilding materials toward the Gulf, getting permission to drive on the restricted roads.

But it does raise the problem of restricted traffic flow.

But if you do drive back to New Orleans, be sure to detour through my little Texas city, Kilgore. Apparently the barbecue there is among the best in the south.

BAK

The IABC Southern Region (which includes the New Orleans chapter as well other chapters potentially affected by this disaster) is ready to help.

Two of our IABC Southern Region leaders — Lisa Owens, VP Growth and Development, and Joy Powell, Chapter Services Director for New Orleans –are working on our response plan and tying back to other efforts we hope are in play at International.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all.

Thanks,

Dan Alldredge
IABC Southern Region Co-Chair

As a sign of giving back, please forward this offer to anyone you
know. Since presentations at conferences, media training and
crisis communications are what I know best, perhaps I can use my
programs to raise money and give back to those in more need than
I.

If anyone is hosting a conference or training event, I will make
myself available to do a Keynote and a breakout session. The cost
will be $6,000 plus travel and I will give half to a charitable
organization helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the New
Orleans area.

If any organization or IABC, PRSA chapter would like me to host a
full-day workshop on media relations or crisis communications, I
will also give half of everything raised to charity. The cost for
a full-day event will be $5,000 plus travel.

We’ll call this Gerard’s two-for-one disaster relief offer. Please
include those words in your subject line and e-mail. People can
contact me at my temporary e-mail address of gbraud@spamarrest.com
(My website http://www.braudcommunications.com is currently underwater on
a server across the street from the Superdome.)

Since my website is down, people can contact me for a PDF with all
of my media relations and crisis communications programs.

Please share this with bloggers and fellow communicators.

Gerard Braud (Jared Bro)
985-624-9976 (temporarily not working)

John has headed through Mississippi and Alabama toward Florida, where he plans to “set up shop” for awhile. I’ve asked him to post here when he has a chance.

He wrote:
“The outpouring of concern, prayers and offers of support have been inspiring.”

My thoughts are with all of you…