Helping businesses in VIC?

[Astrid]

Hi

I had an idea last night after reading the postings here about the bushfire disaster in Victoria. I would be interested in your thoughts - if the idea would be too farfetched or too naive or just not practical. Or good.

I would really like to offer my services to some badly affected businesses who have to start again. At no costs. And after things have settled down a bit.
I imagine that most businesses will have insurance but there are more important things to pay for in the beginning, I guess.

But then I thought - they might not just need advertising material, they might also need various other things people from FS could offer.

What about setting up a list of FS members on the main website of FS, who would offer their services for free for the victims of the fire? Just for a limited time.

This list could be published by the media and through other services down there. Plus - it would give FS some publicity too.

Or is this not such a good idea? Please be honest - I am not too familiar with the area and have no idea if there is already help organised through local groups like chambers of commerce etc?

Cheers
Astrid

[Heidi Price]

Originally Posted by Astrid

What about setting up a list of FS members on the main website of FS, who would offer their services for free for the victims of the fire? Just for a limited time.

Fantastic idea Astrid

We are certainly very happy to put our hands up to help in any way we can, while being very thankful that our family members in Vic are not affected.

How about it FS Admin? - Is this something we can do?

Heidi

[LeelaCosgrove]

I think that's a great idea ...

It might be a little while before they are ready to use your services ... obviously, there are still fires burning (this weekend is expected to be hot again) ... and even where they have stopped, people are a bit of a mess, as you can imagine ... even those who managed to save their homes and businesses are really shook up ...

But I think something like this would be really appreciated by the area ...

My fiance and I had planned to get married in Buxton later this year. After this, we've decided to put it off for a little while ... let people find their feet ... and then swamp them with a wedding ... *grin*

But I'll definitely be in offering services ... I think it's a really thoughtful gesture ...

[sam_leader]

What a great idea, Astrid. We're having a Flying Solo meeting next week and we'll talk through the concept and consider how we might support it.

I agree that there's no urgency for this. It'd be better to take the time to think up a coherent plan rather than rush in at a time when, as Leela rightly says, people have other stuff on their mind.

Plus I can't help but think acting in haste would look a bit 'bandwagon'y and insincere, which this offer of help is most certainly not.

Thanks again for the great suggestion.

Sam

[Burgo]

Great minds, I put up a post about donations and a reply from one of our Victorian members suggested something similar.

There are a number of carpet cleaners in that area, one I have been told didnt make it. We are setting up an equipment fund to help get carpet cleaners in Victoria and Far North Queensland who have lost equipment, back on their feet as soon as they wish.

So Astrid your idea is a very sound and feasible one which I support 100%.

Lets do it.
patrick

[KarenC]

I agree with the waiting as the trauma is still too green and to donate money for now - however I looked up the Kinglake business directory here http://www.krbn.com.au/directory.html
The other towns must have similar directories. But we don't know as yet who have survived as the death toll is still being counted.

It's no good offering services (like my own - design & print) that would take away business from similar businesses struggling to get back on their feet which would cause resentment or disillusionment - but, perhaps each we could donate towards appropriate equipment to help the businesses setup again to work within their communities. Maybe a spare laptop, desk phones or printer or modem etc. I'm trying to think of practical help here. The main idea is to encourage self-sufficiency.

Others may have a better idea of practical ways to help.

[MissieK]

I've been thinking the same too - wondering how BMN can help get business support started in those areas to help the Mums get their businesses started again.

I'm sure if we all put our heads together, we'll work something out

Count me in.

Melissa

[Adam Randall]

I have an alternate view on these sorts of things.

The victims of these fires need money and lots of it to rebuild their lives, my thoughts are that fund raising should be left to the experts such as the Red Cross etc.

Donations to causes of this nature IMHO should be a private affair and absolutely no benefit including publicity of any kind including names on lists etc

The fires are still going and I am already seeing pretty logos with red flames in the background stating % of profits are going to the Victorian bushfire victims, to me this is a bit distasteful.

Day to day charity I can understand, specific disasters where there is a high emotional attachment, I dont think commercial enterprises should market that they are helping the cause in any way.

I reckon if you want to make a difference, whip the credit card out and go to:

https://www.redcross.org.au/Donation...eDonations.asp

The money will still be their even when the fires are no longer in the news, will enthusiasm and drive to work for free still be there? be honest now!

[Astrid]

Hi,
thanks for all your input.

Sam - if you have a meeting next week, it might be worth discussing the idea a bit more thourougly.
We can also talk about this or different ideas on Friday night, I guess.

@Adam - I don't have any problems with postponing any help to later in the year. I think we all have been to the Red Cross already and 40 Mio through that is a good start. What businesses like Coles down to local businesses are doing at the moment - putting their name behind an appeal - why not? As long as it helps?

Donations as in money - I agree. That should be left to the professionals. I am part of a charity group helping AIDS victims in Namibia and it's very tricky (legally) to organise and run.

I was thinking of this list on FS more as a reference for anybody who wants/needs assistance. Not as an in-your-face kind of thing.

But I also see that it's important not to take away any business from local companies - of course they will need it much more than we here. That's why I mentioned that it's important to know what's going on there and what's needed.

Cheers
Astrid

[Heidi Price]

I cant speak for anyone else, but in the past few days I have found myself noticing the basic bits and pieces I would miss if we had to restart. Even down to things like staplers and pens, let alone the computers etc.

And while donations to the Red Cross will help enormously, the RC's focus will be on basic human needs, not business equipment.

So, my thought is - is there a way we can organise a collection of basic business/office equipment and would it be possible to get it where it is needed?

Obviously there are complicated logistic issues to this.

Any ideas everyone??