Faith in the Face of Disaster: UU Response to Hurricane Katrina
Information for Organizations Receiving Grass Root Grants
This information is being disseminated to all entities receiving support through the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund. Questions should be directed to the Panel's chairperson, the Rev. Meg A. Riley  .
Establishing Your UUA-UUSC Grass Roots Grant Panel
What is the purpose of our Grass Roots Grant?
The purpose of your Grass Roots Grant is have emergency discretionary funds at your disposal that your Grass Roots Grant Panel may use immediately, with no red tape, to those people or congregational purposes you determine to be most in need.
How do we set up our Grass Roots Grant Panel?
We suggest that the Panel be small (three people) and knowledgeable. Those who are on it should be familiar with the congregation, its members and its needs. The minister should be a member of the Panel; the other two members should be laypersons who are in touch with the membership and hold their respect. A member of the board, such as the president, or treasurer, would be appropriate. You may have people in mind who can use help, but talk about this together, and as a Panel develop a criteria, before you make grants. We strongly suggest that you do not use all of the money immediately, as special needs will surely arise.
How do we let people know?
You'll probably know a lot already about the members of your congregations and their urgent needs, but it will be important to let people know that this funding is now available. This can be done by email, or by telephone. Use your staff, if you have them available, to do help you be in contact.
How do we manage the money?
A good and important question. You will need to keep records, and to be accountable. Deposit your Grass Roots Grant check. Set up a bookkeeping system that records each instance in which a grant was given by your Panel, how much the grant was for, to whom it was given and/or for what it was used. The Relief Fund Panel would like you to send us a simple, monthly report about how the grant is being used. This Grass Roots Grant is for your congregation's use. We believe that you know best where needs exist. It will not, we know, take care of all, or even the majority of your needs, but as your relationship with your Managing Partner and Partner congregations develops, your resources will deepen.
Please be in touch with your District Executive if extraordinary needs arise. Both the Mid-South and Southwestern DEs sit on the Relief Fund Grants Panel. Our thoughts are with you as you face the enormous challenges ahead.
—the members of the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Panel
Gulf Coast Relief Home
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