The HODR meeting is back online

Yesterday's HODR "Electronic All Hands Meeting" is now online again!

Highlights:
Review of recent projects and recap of planning
Introducing Jeremy as project director
Update on status of "watching"
Discussion of insurance
Discussion of possible training
Discussion of "experts"
Fundraising---an anonymous donor will match money you give this summer! GIVE!!

Chain Saw Safety

Having lost some experienced chainsaw volunteers to graduation this year, we are planning some training days in the fall so that we can be ready when a disaster hits. However for now these sites would be a useful starting place to get you prepared for the training.

Chain saw are very dangerous. That is the first and most important lesson today. Before and duong use be very careful. One way to be safer is to know what you are dealing with. So before cutting anything get trained.

This page is not the replacement for training, but rather a preparation for the training.

How dangerous is chainsawing? Here is a page which gives the average number of stitches following a chain saw accident at 110. When I was first trained they said 200, but whatever the number it is big. Chainsaws are great, but also very dangerous. Treat them with the utmost respect.

ACC | Safety Begins At Home:

"Used correctly, a chainsaw is a really useful tool, especially when dealing to the trees in your garden, or chopping your firewood. But most of us have also heard horror stories about nasty cuts or other injuries inflicted by a runaway chainsaw.

So it’s worth knowing a thing or two about chainsaw safety before you pull the ripcord.

ACC have made it easy, by creating Ten Top Tips for chainsaw safety. These tips are useful guidelines to keep in mind before, during and after using a chainsaw. It’s always a good idea to refresh your memory on chainsaw safety - especially if it’s been a while since you last used one."

Other sites that have a wealth of valuable information:

1. FEMA published a site on Chainsaw safety after Katrina. It is very good!
2. OSHA--several lists of things to look out for.
3. The Dept of Forestry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a site that gives many safety tips
4. North Dakota State University has an older page, but it is quite thorough and offers tips on not only using, but also handling the saw.
5. YouTube - chainsaw safety--
   YouTube has many good safety videos on Chainsaw use.
6. Stihl (the saws we use) has a 7 minute video. (warning, it is not the most exciting presentation ever but really has much good advice!)
   

Article on Amanda and Ashley from the Olean Times Herald

Congratulations Ashley and Amanda!

From the Olean Times Herald

"...each of them are education majors, have identical grade-point averages of 3.94 and were star softball players for the university team. They also were involved in the BonaResponds student outreach program, served as tutors for The Learning Center and Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and were on the Atlantic 10 Honor Roll."

Amanda and Ashley have been with us on several trips to the Gulf Coast (along with their sister Allie for this year's Bridge City Trip) and their mom (Kim) played the pivotal roll in this year's Buffalo Service Day hosted by Villa Maria.

Congratulations graduates

Congratulations to the many BonaResponds volunteers who graduated today.

Remember there is always a place for you in BonaResponds.

Please give us your new email address as well! (sign up for our mailing list at BonaResponds.org

Ike the documentary

Some students from Galveston have put together a movie project on Ike and its aftermath. Here is a trailer that is EXCELLENT!




The movie premiers this month. Money goes to the Galveston schools.
Wow....thanks @help4Galveston for pointing this one out.

Thank you from the SPCA

We received the following from John at the SPCA.

"Hi,
Just a note to thank the wonderful group that showed up to volunteer at the SPCA again this year. They helped us in many areas on Saturday, including fence repairing, laundry, overall shelter cleaning, and ridding the outside area of the winter's litter. Of course, dog walking was popular and it was really appreciated. I think at the end of the day every dog at the shelter got a long walk around the pond, and they were resting well by the time I left the shelter.

Please extend our heartfelt thanks to the group that came to the shelter.

Sincerely,

John Skadowski"

The SPCA of Cattaraugus County is such a good asset to the community. It is a no-kill shelter that is always looking for volunteers. If you get a chance, whether with BonaResponds, or on your own, please help.

And by the way, the Allegany Park and Shop has a collection box where you can drop off food, cleaning supplies, small toys, and towels for the animals.