Do you need help post quake?

Hi BNIers,

Two months on from the big one and reality is setting in. Some members were immediately affected having their house/business damaged/destroyed, for some the effects of the quake are just staring to set in and for others the effects may appear in the near future. Conversely for some things have never been better.

Post quake a BNI Earthquake support forum was established on BNI Online ( http://www.bnionline.co.nz/group/christchurchearthquakebnisupport ) as a place where offers of support and requests for help could be posted and acted upon. Sadly it looks as though this tool was not utilised to the extent hoped. This may have been because so soon after the quake some people did not have had access to online resources, they were in shock and/or unsure of their actual situation pending zone access, govt subsidy announcements and discussions with insurers, landlords, tenants, clients, suppliers, employers etc.

Now that the dust has settled, you have had time to take stock of your situation and govt subsidies have had tighter criteria applied, please advise of any assistance you need, specifically:

•         Your story i.e. what has happened
•         The assistance you need i.e. premises, employment, legal, accounting, coaching, trades, IT, psychological, physical, respite, equipment etc
•         Your preferred contact details

We will collate these requests and distribute them BNI wide to the many chapters/individuals that have offered assistance but not known specifically who or how to assist.

If you are in need of help, we urge you to reply to this blog post by commenting below as soon as practicable.
 
Sam Williamson is BNI Director, Canterbury Region, BNI New Zealand