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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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March
2006
Volume
10 - Number 2 |
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NVOAD coordinates planning efforts by many voluntary organizations responding to disaster. Before a disaster strikes, the member organizations typically get together and provide more effective and less duplication in service. This serves as a method of convenience for volunteers from various organizations to work together in a crisis. Think of it as a one-stop shop, hub, or command center for individuals and organizations to come together and strategize for a disaster. NVOAD uses the following concepts to serve member organizations: communication, cooperation, coordination, education, leadership development, mitigation, convening mechanisms, and outreach. NVOAD is not to be confused with a delivery service organization. It upholds the privilege of its member base to remotely provide relief and recovery services, while expecting them to do so cooperatively. NVOAD is committed to the premise of familiarization prior to having to actually respond to a natural disaster. Any organization wishing to become a member of NVOAD must fully demonstrate their capability to work within the parameters that are upheld by the member of NVOAD. The NVOAD organization is a thirteen-member board of directors that gathers four times a year to provide guidance for the achievement of NVOAD goals. This board includes representatives of the membership and three representatives from state or U.S. Territory VOADS. Some of the current members of the board are representatives of the following organizations: American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, National Organization for Victim Assistance, Mennonite Disaster Service, America’s Second Harvest, Points in Light Foundation, United Methodist Committee on Relief. There are various terms and principles for NVOAD Membership. The Principles of Membership include organizations that are national in scope and purpose, voluntary organizations that have voluntary memberships and constituencies that qualify under the IRS guidelines as a non-profit organization.; and active in disaster organizations that has a stated policy of commitment of resources such as personnel, funds, and equipment to meet the needs of those who are affected by disaster without discrimination. As a condition of this membership, it is a requirement to comply with Principles of Membership and agreement with the purpose of NVOAD, a willingness to participate in the commitment of resources to carry out functions of NVOAD, be represented at annual meetings and all members are expected to participate in a least one standing committee. The National Voluntary Organization Active in Disasters is an organization that I have never been exposed to. From one perspective that is a blessing because it means that neither I nor my family has been a victim or participant in a natural disaster or catastrophe. But the other perspective is that it is unfortunate that this organization is not one that has a brand name and well recited mission statement. The planning and organization of resources is imperative to the success of relief efforts. As we have discovered from the Tsunami and Katrina relief efforts, the massive amounts of volunteers and resources are available. However, we need better management, preparedness, planning, coordination, leadership, and unity to prevail in a time of crisis. NVOAD is an important organization filled with traditional people who are similar to me and I commend them for their involvement in disaster relief efforts. |