Updates from Steering Committee
2/1/07 Update:
Hello everyone. On behalf of the W2W steering committee, I want to thank those of you who came to brunch last Sunday at Cindy's house to share ideas and provide valuable feedback about our efforts in Waveland. For those who couldn't make it, we missed you! Following that meeting, the steering committee met this week to continue the discussion about our current and future projects. Below is a summary of the main discussion points from those two meetings.
- Getting the word out about our activities (including past accomplishments and future plans) is critical. We need to divide our community into segments (e.g. seniors, school-age families, etc.) and target each of those segments appropriately. The message needs to be clear - here is what we've done, this is what we're planning on doing in the future, and here is how you can help.
- There was much discussion about clarifying our message. This applies to many areas. For instance, we need to truly know who we are and what are mission is, and stick with it.
- Along those same lines, we discussed the need to expand our network of support (both financial support as well as volunteer support). To do so, is twofold: first, we need to finish the 3 building
projects we began in October so we can showcase and leverage them. Second, we need to define with specifics our next building project by identifying the houses we are going to renovate, the stories of those families, and the scope/timeline of the projects.Apologies from the Webmaster... he broke a bunch of links to photos from the October Wave efforts.... now all are restored...
Photos from Adult Trip (Wave 2) in October -- the two-week building project.
Follow-up photos from Adult Trip (roof finished, etc.)Photos from the Student Trip (Wave 1) on Columbus day weekend.
- The suggestion was made to consider hiring a full- or part-time person to physically be "on the ground" in Waveland and serve as project manager for our rebuilding projects. It has become clear from our experiences that as soon as we leave, very little gets done. To ensure a project we start reaches completion in a timely manner, it would be very beneficial to have someone onsite for the duration of the project. One suggestion was to reach out to the local technical/vocational schools for a graduate who might be interested in doing this type of thing as an internship, but it would definitely need to be someone who has project management skills as well as a working knowledge of building/construction.
- There has been an ongoing dialogue about changing our organization's name from "Wayland to Waveland" to something broader. In this way, we would serve more as an umbrella organization with "Wayland to Waveland" being one chapter. Some people feel that the name "Wayland to Waveland" may limit our ability to attract support from other towns.
- We are in the process of identifying other local groups working in the Gulf Coast. Initial contacts have been well received. We hope to join forces with these groups as we identify synergistic missions. These include Bridge to Biloxi from Concord/Carlisle, Needham Cares, Northbrook, Illiinois' Karing, Boston Cares, Rebuild Together, and other faith-based organizations.
- There is another trip scheduled for Feb. 10-25 to continue work on our three projects. On this trip we have partnered with a group of 6-8 volunteers (carpenters, electricians, etc.) from Jamaica Plain to complete some of the finish work in Miss Hazel's house, continue working on Melanie's, as well as build the deck and front staircase on Scott's house. Cindy and Kathie will be there at the beginning of the trip to make introductions, and Pam and Kathie will be there at the end with the hope of moving Miss Hazel in.
- During that time we will also be pre-planning for our next building project, which is currently planned for October. Right now we are talking with several local builders and contractors to spearhead our next effort. Stay tuned!!
Again, many thanks for your ongoing support. We hope all of you will stay involved and committed to helping our sister community. Please feel free to call any of us on the committee with any feedback or questions.
Warmly,
Pam Lesser
1/18/07
Update from Tom Fay, Co-Chair of Steering Committee
To: Friends of Waveland
It has been about three months since our trip to Waveland, Mississippi. I thought it would be useful to touch base and pass along a quick Waveland update.
Mayor Longo, whom you met, won re-election in early December. I talked to him last week and he sounded tired, but ok. Knee surgery in February will force him to take a much needed vacation. He is considering our committee's offer to spend some R&R time on Cape Cod - as our guest. He again expressed his heartfelt thanks to all of you for your good work. In an emotional exchange, he again reiterated how important our town's commitment to Waveland is to him and his town. He truly appreciates it.
The Wayland to Waveland Hurricane Relief Steering Committee has discussed 2007 trips to Waveland. While we recognize that some of you wanted to make a trip next month, it just is not going to work out. Due to limited funds we have to work with, the need for concrete skilled guidance in Waveland, and time constraints, the consensus is that February will not work. However, we are hoping to schedule trips in April and October 2007. We will keep you posted.
As some of you know, after we returned, about thirty other Wayland residents traveled to Waveland to build one home, and repair two others. You can see their amazing work at www.waylandtowaveland.org. Our committee wants to completely finish those homes in the coming months. We are actually guiding a Jamaica Plain group to do this work. That group will travel to Waveland next month. But, again, they are not in a position to guide high school students in their work.
We are exploring a Wayland/Waveland baseball tournament, in Wayland this spring. The youth will likely be younger, 5th and 6th graders. But, we may be able to use your help with this project. We will keep you posted.
Finally, please let me know if you are interested in making another trip to Waveland. That will help our committee with future plans.
More "Waves" Heading to Waveland!
Work Continues, albeit slowly on Three Houses
Started in October by W2W;
New Waves of Relief Forming
1/11/07 – The Steering Committee met to kick off the new year and make plans for finishing the three house projects in Waveland started in October and begin the next 'Waves of Relief.' In fact, these Waves are forming... and they likely will involve other groups here and elsewhere in the US to leverage our monies and energies in making things happen in Waveland.
Progress has been made on the three houses started in October's effort led by Peter Bachman. Peter reported how materials and planning have been put in place for a group to visit in February, led by a group in Jamaica Plain that W2W has been talking with. A contractor, some related professionals and volunteers will pick up our projects and advance them. In fact, volunteers from Wayland will have an opportunity to work with this crew. One goal is to get Ms. Hazel into her house by March 1... literally... to move her in! It will be a remarkable moment.
As Bachman said, "we need the photo where the FEMA trailer is gone, the yard is landscaped and curtains are in the window... then we can clap our hands."
Across the road, Ms. Melanie's house soon should have windows and door installed and be ready for siding. And Scott Blackwell's house is ready for the deck we spec'd out.
The committee spent about a half hour on a phone conference with a leader of a group in Northbrook, IL called KARING (www.karing.org) that has been very successful working in Waveland to boost morale with several exciting events. They've been very active in fundraising and sending money and gift cards and they are saving up to contribute to a new community center in Waveland. The groups explored ideas and talked for working together on fundraising and activities, perhaps building.
There soon will be organizing meetings and opportunities to volunteer. Meanwhile, funds are still needed. Look for the W2W coin cans in many local businesses. Give us your change (and more if you can)! Checks can be sent to us directly... click on the fundraising link at top.