NVOAD Members and Partners,
For over 55 years, National VOAD’s unique model of collaboration has ensured that disaster survivors receive timely, coordinated, and compassionate assistance. Yet, as the nation and the world face increasingly complex and frequent emergencies – ranging from climate-driven disasters to public health crises – the systems and structures that have sustained us must evolve.
NVOAD is taking this moment to reimagine how it serves its members, collaborates across sectors and levels, and how it is structured, funded, and governed to meet the demands of the future.
As the backbone of our organization, we are inviting all members and partners to participate in a survey reviewing some of these key areas of consideration to inform our strategic evaluation initiative. We value your thoughtful and honest reflections to help drive and shape our next chapter. We anticipate the survey will take approximately 20 minutes of thoughtful engagement. Please complete the survey no later than February 27. Click here to access the survey.
Please also share this survey link with members of your organization that have interacted with NVOAD – we welcome a wide variety of voices from each organization and thank you for spreading the word!
Additionally, if you have multiple roles at NVOAD (for example, Members, Board Member, S/T Chair) please answer the survey once for each role, if your answers would be different for the questions provided.
The survey was designed with the Blue Ribbon Task Force members (Ian Anderson, Marcus Coleman, Elizabeth Disco-Shearer, Joava Good, David Guadalupe, Peter Gudaitis, Kevin King, Jim Kirk, and Amelia Mendizabal) and our consultants, Roxann Allen and Sharon Kniss with Cooperative by Design. You can learn more about this process by reading the FAQs below or reaching out to NVOAD at info@nvoad.org<mailto:info@nvoad.org> and Sharon Kniss at sharonkniss@gmail.com<mailto:sharonkniss@gmail.com> .
Thank you in advance for your participation,
Rev. Dr. David Guadalupe EJ
Chair, Board of Directors, Interim President & CEO
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FAQ – NVOAD Survey and Listening Engagement
1. What is National VOAD’s mission, vision, and values? 1
2. How many staff does NVOAD have? 2
3. What is the purpose of this outreach? 2
4. Is this part of a Strategic Plan process? 2
5. Who is being invited to participate? 2
6. Will responses be confidential? 2
7. Who is overseeing this effort? 3
- What is National VOAD’s mission, vision, and values?
Mission
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) leads the VOAD movement, as a convener, thought leader, and advocate for a diverse group of organizations dedicated to serving communities throughout the disaster cycle.
Vision
National VOAD will be the recognized non-governmental leader of the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery sector. National VOAD members and partners represent a powerful force of goodwill in America. Through the VOAD network, WE provide the leadership that makes our communities stronger and more resilient. In times of need, WE deliver hope for a more positive future.
Guiding Principles and Core Values
We believe that:
- Providing hope, making a difference and offering opportunities for true collaboration are the lifeblood and soul of the organization.
- Our commitment to caring and compassion for all people is the foundation for all we do.
- Our commitment to the people of the states, territories and commonwealths outside the continental United States is essential to what National VOAD represents.
- A coordinated approach provides the basis for a nurturing environment in which disaster response agencies will flourish.
- The quest for excellence in National VOAD programs by encouraging best practices and mutual accountability results in operational synergy.
- Our work will be accomplished in a respectful manner.
- Trust, mutual respect and equal partnerships of community service providers are essential to our work.
To learn more about the organization, please visit: https://www.nvoad.org/
- How many staff does National VOAD have?
Six staff members. To learn about our staff, please visit: https://www.nvoad.org/national-staff/
- What is the purpose of this outreach?
National VOAD is launching a major strategic evaluation and redesign initiative to conduct a comprehensive review of the National VOAD model – how it serves its members, how it collaborates across sectors and levels, how it is structured, funded, and governed, etc. The foundation of this review involves listening to key National VOAD stakeholders – like you.
- Is this part of a Strategic Plan process?
Not exactly. The process will result in a Final Report and Strategic Roadmap that outlines recommendations for reform, restructuring, and growth in order to improve coordination, equity, and impact throughout the entire network. This report will be shared by National VOAD to its members & partners at the conclusion of the process. Further strategic planning will build on this work, but is separate from this process.
- Who is being invited to participate?
The outreach is intended to be expansive and inclusive. All National VOAD members and partners are invited to participate. Additionally, key stakeholders such as staff members, funders, potential or former members, have also been invited with particular invitations to smaller, under-represented organizations and state/territory leaders.
- Will responses be confidential?
All responses, whether through survey or dedicated listening session, will be held in confidence by the consultants and the Blue Ribbon Task Force members. Responses will only be reported on in aggregate, without any personally identifiable information connected to the responses. Demographic and individual background information is requested in order to ensure the process is as inclusive as possible, and so that data can be disaggregated to identify patterns amongst different constituencies, aligned with equity principles.
- Who is overseeing this effort?
National VOAD’s Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) members are Ian Anderson – BRTF Chair, NVOAD Board Representative (Colorado VOAD & The Salvation Army), Kevin King – Mennonite Disaster Service, David Guadalupe – NVOAD Chair & Interim CEO, Elizabeth Disco-Shearer – former National VOAD Board Chair, former Texas VOAD Chair, SME on Board Governance and Management Consultant, James (Jim) Kirk – former National VOAD Board Treasurer, former Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, SME, Joava Good – Utah VOAD (Church of Scientology), Amelia Mendizabal – National VOAD Director of Programs, Peter Gudaitis – New York VOAD, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), Marcus Coleman – United Way Worldwide
The work of the task force is being facilitated by Cooperative by Design consultants Roxann Allen and Sharon Kniss. If you have questions about the process, you may reach out to any of the BRTF members or to Sharon Kniss with Cooperative by Design (sharonkniss@gmail.com).
National VOAD Blue Ribbon Task Force