An independent agents group said that when it arrives in NewOrleans for an upcoming conference, 300 of its members will take uptools and spend a day helping to rebuild the hurricane-damagedcity.

The Alexandria, Va.-based Independent Insurance Agents andBrokers of America said it arranged to do the work with the NewOrleans chapter of Habitat during the association's Sept. 5-11 fallleadership conference and board meeting.

Emily Crane, an IABA spokesperson, said there had been nodifficulty in getting people for a day of building work. “We areallowed to have 300 volunteers, and we will have 300 volunteers,”she said, adding that the IABA had so many members offering toparticipate that the group had to turn people away.

“When I asked our membership if they'd like to volunteer theirtime in New Orleans to participate in this community rebuildingproject, the response was unanimously positive,” said William G.Stiglitz III, president of the IIABA and an executive with theLouisville, Ky.-based Hyland, Block & Hyland agency.

“I am proud of the IIABA members for understanding that there isso much more to be done in New Orleans and all the regionsdevastated by last years' storms and that anything we can do tohelp will make a difference,” added Mr. Stiglitz.

Ms. Crane said the association will consider doing morecommunity service during future conferences “depending oninterest…and what the needs of the community are.”

Robert A. Rusbuldt, IIABA's chief executive officer, said,“IIABA recognizes that while much progress has been made one yearafter Katrina, there is still so much to be done,” he said.

IIABA, Mr. Rusbuldt said, feels “that it is important to giveback in every way we can. While we are in New Orleans with such alarge group, we want to do what we can to help ease the sufferingof at least some of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.”

The Katrina Relief Fund, created by a nonprofit foundation runby the IIABA, has raised nearly $500,000 from more than 530contributors and awarded grants to help individuals and businessesdevastated by Hurricane Katrina. IIABA donated $100,000 to the fundand received contributions from several insurance carriers as wellas staff and state associations.