About Us

About Arizona VOAD

Arizona VOAD is the Arizona state chapter of NVOAD (National VOAD).  It consists of organizations active in disaster response through the state of Arizona.  Arizona VOAD's role is to bring organizations together and enable them to understand each other and work together smoothly.  To accomplish these goals, Arizona VOAD meets four times each year and encourages member organizations to share information and training opportunities at that time.  Arizona VOAD general meetings are also times to conduct business, provide training, networking and planning.  Updates on current disaster relief are given.

National VOAD

At the national level, VOAD is a consortium of recognized national voluntary organizations active in disaster relief.  Its mission is to foster more effective service to people affected by disasters.  NVOAD is 25 years old. The immediate reason for forming the organization was Hurricane Camille. In the aftermath of this disaster, the voluntary organizations who wanted to help victims realized they didn't know very much about each other, and certainly weren't very well coordinated. NVOAD coordinates planning efforts by many voluntary organizations responding to disaster. Member organizations provide more effective and less duplication in service by getting together before disasters strike. Once disasters occur, NVOAD or an affiliated state VOAD encourages members and other voluntary agencies to convene on site. This cooperative effort has proven to be the most effective way for a wide variety of volunteers and organizations to work together in a crisis. 

NVOAD serves member organizations through:

• Communication - disseminating information through electronic mechanisms, its Newsletter, the directory, research and demonstration, case studies, and critique.
• Cooperation - creating a climate for cooperation at all levels (including grass roots) and providing information.• Coordination - coordinating policy among member organizations and serving as a liaison, advocate, and national voice.
• Education - providing training and increasing awareness and preparedness in each organization.
• Leadership Development - giving volunteer leaders training and support so as to build effective state VOAD organizations.
• Mitigation - supporting the efforts of federal, state, and local agencies and governments and supporting appropriate legislation.
• Convening Mechanisms - putting on seminars, meetings, board meetings, regional conferences, training programs, and local conferences.
• Outreach - encouraging the formation of and giving guidance to state and regional voluntary organizations active in disaster relief.

Visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Website

Our Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to bring together voluntary organizations active in disaster services to foster more effective service to the people of Arizona affected by disaster through:     Communication, Coordination, Cooperation, Collaboration, Convening Mechanisms, Outreach, and Advocacy.

Arizona VOAD promotes coordination among member organizations to facilitate access to available resources and services.

• Arizona VOAD is not intended to be a competing agency but an umbrella organization of existing agencies. Each member organization maintains its own identity and independence yet works closely with other agencies to improve services and eliminate unnecessary duplication.
• Arizona VOAD members share information to facilitate access to available resources and services.  This cooperation has resulted in coordinated response and recovery efforts by member organizations in some of the most devestating disasters to occur in Arizona.
• Arizona VOAD members are involved from first response through final recovery.  Individuals, families and communities affected by disaster may receive assistance from a variety of member organizations.  If forced to leave their homes, disaster victims may receive temporary shelter, food and housing for their pets.  If their homes, furnishings or other property are damaged or destroyed, they may be helped with clean up, repair or replacement.
• Arizona VOAD works closely with the Arizona Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prevent duplication of effort and promote effective distribution of resources in times of emergency.

Our Key Values

Cooperation – We need each other.  No member organization has all the answers for the challenges of disaster response.  We are partners.

Communication – We regularly share information about our member organizations including their capacities, accomplishments and commitments.  We work to maintain good channels to share information, listen intently to one another and deal openly with concerns.

Coordination – We are committed to work together, without competition, to toward the goal of effective service to disaster victims.  We seek to match services to need.  Through careful planning and preparation, we equip our organizations to work in coordination in times of disaster.

Collaboration – We are dedicated to working together to achieve specific goals and to undertake specific projects at disaster sites.  We form partnerships during the disaster response.

Other Key Values

Education – We wish to increase awareness of each organization and also of the population of Arizona.

Convening Mechanism – We cooperate in arranging meetings, conferences and trainings.

Legislation – We encourage effective disaster relief legislation and policy.

Liaison – To serve as a liaison, advocate and voice to improve service, and support ordinance, bills and legislation.

Executive Committee

Chairman

Dan Curtis
Amerian Red Cross
6135 N. Black Canyon Hwy
Phoenix, AZ
Office: 602-347-6506
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Vice Chairman

Ginny Hildebrand
The Association of Arizona Food Banks
2100 North Central Ave, Suite #230
Phoenix, Az 85004
Office 602-528-3434 Cell 602-909-0240
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Secetary/Treasure

Jim Puza
Emergency Disaster Services Director
The Salvation Army
2707 E. Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Office 602-267-4174 Cell 602-502-3049
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Additional Members