August 30, 2005

In an effort to coordinate professional assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina, NIGP has established a Hurricane Hotline within its Web site. Public procurement professionals from the hard-hit areas of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are encouraged to post their needs (supplies, services, technical assistance) on the Web Site through an electronic Bulletin Board located at http://www.nigp.org/relief/

Assuming that most victims are without electricity and cannot access the Internet, colleagues who are aware of a specific need are encouraged to post appeals on behalf of their friends and associates. A contact name and phone number is essential for coordinating any relief efforts.

Additionally, for those victims who have no access to the Internet but can place a telephone call, NIGP has set up a 24/7 toll-free hotline where appeals for assistance can be called in: (800) FOR-NIGP x272. NIGP staff will then post the verbal appeal on the Web site.

Persons and agencies wishing to offer assistance should check this site on a regular basis – as appeals for help will be added as new postings on a regular basis.

During this very tragic period, we ask that these Hotlines be kept open to post specific appeals for professional assistance. While words of encouragement and support are always sincerely appreciated, the intent of the Hotline is to rapidly communicate the needs of a specific community so that responses can be provided quickly.

For those living in the Gulf Coast Region, the NIGP family is deeply saddened by this natural tragedy – and we are particularly bound to the Biloxi, Mississippi community, which opened its hearts and arms to us as our host city for NIGP’s record-breaking NIGP conference in 2004. We understand that much of the Beau Rivage Resort, which served as our Host Hotel last summer, sustained major damage including a flood of water that reached the second levels of the hotel. We offer our hopes and prayers for speedy relief and for the commitment and fortitude to rebuild.