I. Reservations
Q: What does a typical reservation look like at RHINO?
A: Groups usually arrive on Sunday afternoon and depart on Saturday morning.
Q: Is there any way to make a reservation over the telephone?
A: No, the only way to make a reservation for your group is to fax your completed group reservation form to Sarah Edgecombe at (504) 897-0105.
Q: I faxed my completed reservation form into the church. How do I know that I have a valid reservation on the RHINO calendar?
A: You do not have a reservation until you receive a confirmation email from the RHINO staff. When in doubt contact Sarah Edgecombe at (504) 897-0101, ext. 11.
Q: I made my initial reservation for 10 people, but now I have more participants. What do I do?
A: Any changes to your reservation require the approval of RHINO staff. Due to other groups being reserved we reserve the right to restrict your group to its originally reserved size. Please check with RHINO staff for availability during your dates.
Q: When do I need to send a final reservation form with all our group names and information?
A: Please fax your complete travel group to RHINO staff on the group reservation form one week prior to your arrival or as soon as the travel group is finalized whichever is first.
Q: When do you need the health and liability form from each participant?
A: The liability waiver available on our website is required to be submitted on the first business day after your arrival, and before your group goes out onto the worksite. Remember to provide a copy of each participant's health insurance card.
II. Meals
Q: Can we make special arrangements to eat out during our stay?
A: Our schedule is arranged with evening meals served Monday through Thursday to allow groups the opportunity to eat some good New Orleans cooking out at local restaurants on their arrival Saturday or Sunday and on the Friday evening before their Saturday departure. If your group has special circumstances please contact RHINO staff a minimum of one week in advance with your requested changes.
III. Youth Groups
Q: Our group has youth who have not yet turned 16 years of age. Can they come?
A: Unfortunately not. Given the nature of the work sites and our lack of extra staff time to arrange programming for younger teens we cannot accommodate those under the minimum 16 years of age.
IV. Health Concerns
Q: Can people work in RHINO teams if they're not very strong or physically skilled?
A: People in a state of good general health with appropriate personal protection can do meaningful work regardless of their strength. Work team recruitment should include people of all strengths and abilities. We do ask, if possible, to purposefully recruit skilled and licensed tradespeople to be a part of your group.
Q: Are there any physical conditions which would prevent my participation?
A: You should not come on a RHINO work trip if you have compromised immunity, respiratory or heart conditions, or another health condition which prevents physical activity or mobility.
Q: Are there adequate medical facilities operating in New Orleans?
A: Yes. We have ready access to 2 hospitals with emergency rooms in the immediate Uptown area. Currently, there is no level 3 trauma facility in New Orleans.
V. Work Sites
Q: What types of work will we be doing?
A. Our RHINO work teams will be building: either new construction with Habitat for Humanity or rebuild work with the Presbytery of South Louisiana's Project Homecoming.
VI. General
Q: Will there be an opportunity to tour the city?
A: Generally, each group will take one 3-hour tour of the flood-affected areas of the city. In order to be sensitive to homeowners we request that those on the tours refrain from getting out of their vehicles. Our Presbyterian Women coordinate volunteers to staff your tour experience.
Q: What’s a typical weekly schedule?
A: Groups arrive on Sunday, and RHINO staff with orient them to the Land Building and to their work schedule. Groups will work Monday- Friday: building new homes with Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday-Friday and doing other service work in the same neighborhood on Mondays. Church members provide a tour of the flooded areas of the city one afternoon. Returning groups that don’t want to take the tour again need to talk with the RHINO Coordinator about other options.
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