GEORGIA VOAD

Partnership Before, During, and After A Disaster

Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster

Home COAD GaVOAD Administrative History NVOAD State Disasters N Ga Flood Fall 2009 S Ga Flood Spring 2009 Flood Myths/Facts Clean-up Team Considerations Steps to Handle Disasters Termite Issues Volunteering Donating Contacting Members Sign-ons	GAVOAD voting members are organizations with a statewide disaster response and/or relief and recovery mission. GAVOAD recognizes local COAD’s as nonvoting members to provide local voluntary organizations an opportunity to work together. GAVOAD also accepts government and corporate entities as nonvoting partners. GAVOAD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation governed by a Board of Directors. GAVOAD meets quarterly. GAVOAD is NOT a service delivery organization. GAVOAD supports its members independent relief and recovery services by providing a forum for voluntary organizations active in disaster to practice the four C’s:
		• Cooperation– encouraging working together and information exchange • Coordination – fostering understanding and providing a liaison with public offices • Communication – providing information to members and the general public through audio-visual, print and electronic means including newsletters, PowerPoint programs, brochures, electronic discussion lists, and websites • Collaboration– encouraging members to work in partnership with each other and with other associations through joint seminars, board meetings, conferences, training programs, and meetings before, during, and after disasters
	GAVOAD provides its members with a strong liaison and a common voice with state emergency management, including a seat in the State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
		• Conference Calls – provide an opportunity for all GAVOAD and local VOAD agencies and partners involved in a particular incident to talk with each other and coordinate their work. • Joint Training – combines the resources and efforts of GAVOAD members and partners to provide multiple opportunities to train together through conferences and exercises. Joint agency volunteer training brings in state and national experts to speak on issues of joint concern including communications, case management, response and recovery skills, and many other subjects. • Joint Information Efforts – put GAVOAD members in front of emergency managers and other public officials on a regular basis throughout the year with forums, booths, and other efforts to jointly inform emergency managers and the public about the capabilities of all the state and local VOAD partner organizations. • Annual NVOAD Conference – GAVOAD annually provides scholarships to send member and VOAD leaders to the annual National VOAD Conference to network and learn from other state and national VOAD leaders.