Because of the continuing enormous need for housing in the Gulf States, NAR and Habitat for Humanity have extended their partnership. State associations have been asked to form teams consisting of eight to twenty members for one week’s work effort in one of the Gulf States. NSBAR has agreed to pay half the cost for each member of NSBAR up to 12 who wants to participate. IAR will pay the other half based on the fees located below.

Illinois has been assigned the week of August 26 - September 1 and the location selected is Mobile, Alabama. August 26th and September 1st will be travel days. If more than 20 people volunteer, we will need to conduct interviews and are required to have a selection process.

The purpose of this note is to contact each local association and ask if a team member were selected from your organization, would your association be willing to pay half the costs involved which are estimated to be $1476.60 (IAR will pay the other half for each team member).

Phil Chiles, President-Elect of the Capital Area Association of REALTORS, has volunteered to be the team leader and has already received team leader training from Habitat for Humanity.

Please advise us as soon as possible if your organization is willing to participate. It is our hope to have the applications available by May 25, 2007 and the team selection process underway in June. If you have individuals that you believe would be interested in participating, please forward the name or names to us along with contact information.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Total costs were calculated as follows:

$350.00 - sleeping rooms
$273.00 – per diem for food – based on federal per diem for Montgomery, Alabama
$853.60 – Mileage allowance based on 880 miles each way

Some team members’ expenses may be higher and some will be lower depending on location. Flights and ride sharing will be encouraged.

You wish to attend? Contact Chris at NSBAR.