Here is a simple, free database program for neighborhood preparation

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Preparation Forum : One Thread

Hello all-

I like these new digs, SySops. A lot less manic. More like the Library of Congress than the House floor...

Several months ago, I wrote an MS Access database to help me with neighborhood organizing. It is generally based upon methodologies and forms used in the Utne Reader/Cassandra Project documents. Neighbor's names, special needs and resources can be entered and summarized via simple reports. (A big help for setting this up was a web search page I found where you could put in your address and it would find everyone else on that street. I've lost the bookmark - does anyone know the link?)

You'll need to have Unzipping software, (PKUnzip), and Microsoft Access (any version) already installed on your PC. This is not a runtime version, so it can be modified or customized to suit your particular needs. and it is available for a limited time at the low, low price of: free.

Steve Davis has graciously offered to make it available for download at the Coalition2000 web site, so help yourself:

http://www.coalition2000.org/Y2kcomm.zip

I wrote it in a four alarm hurry, so if you spot bugs or have ideas for improving it, let me know. A couple of the reports could be formatted better, but I just haven't had the time lately due to (surprise) Y2K work.

This isn't meant to help you spy on your neighbors -ideally they would all have a copy, (or a printout), too. It provides a way to see how shortages and outages might effect your own neighborhood. Say natural gas goes out. OK, who has natural gas heating? Do they have functioning backup? Can I help? If not, who can? Who needs medical care? Who is carpenter? Where are the babies?

Hope it helps. I hope even more that it's utterly pointless.

Regards-

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), July 13, 1999

Answers

Hi, Lewis. I am not trying to flame you or otherwise cut down your efforts, BUT... I am a 9.5+, and am certain your efforts along these lines are pointless. You almost certainly will not get a significant percentage of your neighbors to prepare. You will almost certainly get a significant percentage of your neighbors to become alert to your likely prepared status, and to move you to the head of their "places to loot" list that they will quickly compose in early January 2000. Ergo, attempting to organize your neighborhood has few to no positives and serious negatives, and if you care about the safety of yourself or your family, you should not try it. If you think I am wrong in my conclusion, please ponder how you have managed to convince at least 75% of the people you have talked to about Y2K to prepare for at least a 6 after one long conversation on the subject. (Please excuse the sarcasm; I have struck out in talks with most people on this topic as well). Please, accept that you cannot save the DGIs, and get back to concentrating on efforts that will better your family's chances, not worsen them. Yours in preparation.

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), July 13, 1999.


Hey, Minnesota, easy. No one is "certain" (spoken as a 8.5-9). Let folks make up their own minds on this. Also, remember that milage may will vary or may vary for 'x' weeks or months. Heck, it may turn out to be 6 where you are and 9 for Lewis, or vice versa.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), July 13, 1999.

That database is a great idea but in this case, sadly, I must side with Minnesota. Even among all of the "GI"'s in our Y2K meeting groups, most GI's are doing little or nothing.(what do I call them?) At one meeting someone who was preparing (quite well) brought over two neighbors, who thought we were all wackos but "knew where to go when things got tough". At this point my wife and I are atempting to create a network of families around us for resources, but so far this has been difficult and I'm not sure how far a well or woodstove will go if one has no wood, bucket, light, food, tools, etc. I have concerns about creating community awareness and responsibility when one cannot create either.

-- Tom (retro50@agapeis.net), July 14, 1999.

Many areas have a Neighborhood Emergency Response Team, or Community Emergency Response Team organized through their Fire Departments. These are volunteer folks who know what neighbors might be infirm, elderly, and take the responsibility for checking in to see if you're OK. Some towns have people called St. Bernards, they perform the same service. If food comes, they distribute it. In my experience, the human contact was as essential and nourishing.

As some wise sage has said many times "Your mileage may vary" in your given town, I for one am relieved that I don't have a crystal ball.

I'd be willing to bet that many Red Cross chapters may plan to hold some kind of preparedness workshops or fairs, in the months ahead.

The framework is often already there. It's prudent to be prepared for emergencies. When you help others, you often receive much more than you give.

Remember that the professionals probably have not been notified about anything but the current spin. Many will be left 'holding the bag' if things turn ugly. We are going to need everybody to pitch in.

Make a couple of phone calls, see if there isn't an opportunity for you to reach out. But I would not bring up the "Y" word.

-- flora (***@__._), July 14, 1999.


I think it's a cool idea, myself. Personally I've had very little success talking to people about this stuff, but if you're doing better, go for it. Just be sure you have a laptop with a solar panel, or Access might not run too well in six months...

-- Shimrod (shimrod@lycosmail.com), July 14, 1999.


Thank you all for your comments.

It's true that neighborhood organizing will be of little use if things in my neck o' the woods go 9.5+. However, nothing else will help either. You may be be able to delay your death, but not prevent it. IMHO preparing for the middle of the bell curve is tougher than deciding it's TEOTW. More possible outcomes to consider. BD, remember that thread about how we have to be ready to change our perception of what it is that we are preparing for? Minnesota, no flame intended, (or received ;) ), but for me to decide that it's going to be a 9.5 is tantamount to just giving up. Might as well prepare for a comet strike. Might as well go fishing.

IMHO, it's the old bell curve: If things turn out to be <3 OR >8, neighborhood organizing *is* probably pointless. But for anywhere in between, we've decided that the best way to protect ourselves is with trusted, prepared neighbors. Alerting others to my preps doesn't concern me, because we believe that sitting tight as long as possible is safest for our situation, and if things are bad, *anyone* who has prepared *anywhere* will stand out. Yes, we are armed, but I view the situation as most cops do. (If you have to draw your weapon, you have failed to control the situation)

I made good progress discussing preps with neighbors last winter and spring, but since June, the Washington Spin Machine and vacation thoughts have sent Y2K to everyone's back burner. But the seeds are planted. Let's hope they bear fruit instead of thorns...

Tom, I know most folks won't prepare effectively. And I know how the first couple of times you hear "I'll just come over to your house", it's a joke. After the 10th or 20th time, it's downright creepy. But I think co-ordinated neighbors can go a long way toward filling in the gaps. If I do nothing, I *will* have a problem with my neighbors (either immediately or as a resentful backlash). If I try to organize and inform, I *might* have a problem with some neighbors, but I may have allies in others. Gotta sleep sometime...

Flora, I agree that local emergency planning resources is important, and I consider my efforts toward neighborhood organizing is an adjunct to them, not a replacement. However, I have not been impressed with the level of awareness among those folks in my particular town, so I'm hedgeing my bets. I hope you have better confidence in the emergency services where you are.

Shimrod, good point about the PC. The printouts are the key.

And yes, it is written to be Y2K compliant...;)

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), July 14, 1999.


Hey Lewis,

My feeling is that we're all on a wing & a prayer, ya know?!

But I truly do see it as an opportunity for many of us to rise to the challenge that we never would have knowingly volunteered for, and I hope to retain my humanity and be someone my parents could've been proud of, and be an example for those that come behind me. I'm an average person, who happens to be from California.

I wish that we all had the Aunt Louise that Cory talks about, that makes alot of sense to me.

Things are going to fail in 'weird and wonderful ways', I think. But what happened to gumption, courage, making do, and looking out for the other guy?

-- flora (***@__._), July 15, 1999.


Flora said:

" I hope to retain my humanity and be someone my parents could've been proud of, and be an example for those that come behind me. "

My dear you have struck the nail on the noggin. I want my family to survive hard times, but I need my community to survive, too. And if Y2K turns out to have a light impact where I am, I still get a better neighborhood.

A wing and a prayer. Very apt.

regards-

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), July 15, 1999.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ