Unfortunately, this is not a joke. John Derbyshire reproduces the workshop schedule that was mandated for people who volunteered to help FEMA out in Katrina's aftermath.

Week One: The Volunteer as Citizen

Day 1: Diversity Awareness

The area affected by Hurricane Katrina includes a diverse population of many ethnicities, national origins, immigrations statuses, and faith traditions. In carrying out relief work, it is important that our workers and volunteers exhibit proper sensitivity to relief recipients from all backgrounds. Volunteers will undergo appropriate training, including the “privilege walk,” basic Spanish-language instruction, and brief study of passages from the Q’u’r’a’n, the Bhagavad Gita, the Dhammachakkappavattana Sutra, and the collected speeches of Marcus Garvey.

Day 2: Harassment Awareness

Volunteers working with FEMA employees come under the scope of federal rules on sexual harassment, as set out in relevant EEOC guidelines. These guidelines will be reviewed and discussed. All volunteers must demonstrate full awareness of sexual harassment issues, both as they apply to other aid workers and volunteers, and as affecting aid recipients. Class events will include a taped lecture by Prof. Anita Hill, class staging of a one-act drama Tailhook Torment, and the ever-popular Packwood Piñata.

It goes on and on. What were they thinking of? Was this some regulation that all volunteers had to follow and no one had the good sense to waive the requirement in a real emergency? Geesh!