Dear IFMA Member:

By now everyone has seen the reports in the media showing the unbelievable destruction and hardship that has devastated communities along the Gulf Coast. IFMA has sent a letter of condolence and support for members and their families who may have been adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The IFMA staff, board, council and chapter leaders also participated in a special teleconference this morning to discuss IFMA’s recovery planning efforts and to hear specific needs from those in affected chapters.

Since the onset of the recovery effort, the IFMA Webmasters have restructured contingency planning and disaster recovery information on the IFMA Web site to address current needs and to promote future planning. It can be accessed from the IFMA home page or directly at http://recovery.ifma.org. Members in need of immediate assistance for essentials (food, water, shelter, clothing, etc.) may contact IFMA directly through a special e-mail address, recovery@ifma.org, linked from the recovery Web site. This address is monitored continuously by the IFMA staff.

Members needing facility management-related help with their buildings may join the special listserv: ifmakatrinahelp@listserver.ifma.org. IFMA members in the Gulf Coast already have been added to this listserv. Everyone else who would like to join the listserv may do so by sending an e-mail to the address with “subscribe” in the subject line. This can be used to make general or specific requests for aid and to volunteer expertise or resources.

During this morning’s call, one of the members pointed out that one of the best ways to help the inestimable displaced is to get businesses back up and running as soon as possible—giving employees a place to go, resume generating income, and reestablish meaning and purpose. To that end, we have identified some immediate needs. Members who know of available office space for immediate lease in vicinities in the Southeastern United States have been requested to post this information to the listserv. In addition, members who are willing to provide free or discounted materials or services can be added to a list IFMA is compiling. To facilitate connecting members in need with members who can help, we’ve established a section on our Web site as well. The IFMA staff will be monitoring the listserv to make sure it’s functioning as intended and to assist with any problems that might arise.

As a global organization, IFMA has selected the International Red Cross Disaster Recovery Fund as the preferred provider of aid. The overall effort is being directed out of the Red Cross’ U.S. headquarters facility that is staffed and equipped to handle the challenge. Cash donations are especially needed because it enables quick acquisition of resources and is the most flexible option.

Facility management professionals are accustomed to handling emergencies and to responding professionally, personally and generously. Whatever you decide to do to aid in the recovery effort, it is greatly appreciated by those who have lost most or all of their possessions. We will keep you posted on further developments as they become manifest.

Hurricane Katrina will leave a tragic and lasting impact on this entire country. IFMA is very much like a family; during this difficult time and what is expected to be a prolonged recovery period, please join us in keeping all our affected members in our hearts and thoughts every day.

Sincerely,

Joseph M. “Matt” Dawson Chairman, Board of Directors	David J. Brady President and Chief Executive Officer