Avagene Moore: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum and today's Round Table discussion! ... Avagene Moore: This week is National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, the 26th year of celebrating the millions of volunteers who contribute so much to our country and its communities. ... Avagene Moore: National Volunteer Week began in 1974 through an executive order signed by President Richard Nixon. ... Avagene Moore: National Volunteer Week is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation ( http://www.pointsoflight.org ). The Points of Light Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging more people more effectively in volunteer community service to help solve serious social problems. ... Avagene Moore: The EIIP Virtual Forum is proud to be part of many recognition ceremonies this week that honor the selfless devotion and service provided by volunteers in so many ways. ... Avagene Moore: We contacted a number of volunteer organizations and invited them to attend today's Round Table. We will mention some of those organizations after hearing from one organization who agreed to share some of the disaster relief work done through his group. ... Avagene Moore: We are very pleased to have Tim Bearden with us today. Tim is Group Leader of the Missions Awareness and Involvement Group, of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) located in the Nashville area. ... Avagene Moore: Thanks for being here today, Tim. Avagene Moore: We realize the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) is much more than a disaster relief group but we are very interested in your volunteers and the types of disaster response and recovery missions they prepare for in this fine work. ... Tim Bearden: Thank you, I'm glad to be a part of this. Avagene Moore: Today, most of our questions will be geared to the disaster relief aspect of TBC work. ... Avagene Moore: For example, I noticed on your web site ( http://www.tnbaptist.org ) ... Avagene Moore: that the TBC responded to the July ?98 flood in my hometown, Lawrenceburg, TN. I did not know that. ... Avagene Moore: What type of assistance was provided for Lawrenceburg flood victims? Tim Bearden: One of our smaller feeding units operated at First Baptist Church providing hot meals served by Red Cross. A total of about 12,000 meals were prepared. Avagene Moore: What type and amount of resources do you have for disaster relief? Tim Bearden: We have one large kitchen that will feed up to 40,000 meals a day. We also have four smaller kitchens that will prepare 1000 to 5000 meals a day. One of those units operated in Jackson recently, another in Clarksville. Avagene Moore: How many volunteers can you call upon for response to a disaster scene? Tim Bearden: We have about 1200 trained volunteers across the state. Avagene Moore: Tennessee has suffered a number of disasters in the past year; would you share a couple of the TN disasters to which the TBC has responded? Tim Bearden: We served in Nashville, Lawrenceburg, Jackson and Clarksville and a few more places. Avagene Moore: Do you respond outside the State of Tennessee as well? Outside the Avagene Moore: Country (to finish that question.) Tim Bearden: We have responded to disasters in at least 12 different states. Avagene Moore: And outside the states? Tim Bearden: We respond to disasters wherever they happen. TBC volunteers have been in Central America and St. Kitts this year responding to hurricanes. Avagene Moore: Tim, I noticed an article on your web site about Y2K. How is the TBC involved? Tim Bearden: We are using the concern over Y2K to say to our congregations that disaster preparedness is on going. We are encouraging them to be prepared for and respond to any disaster. Tim Bearden: Our congregations can be sources of information, relief and hope in any situation. Avagene Moore: Thank you, Tim. Some of our audience may have a question or two about the TBC .... Avagene Moore: If you have a question, please input a ? to indicate you wish to speak ... Avagene Moore: compose your question and hold it until you are recognized. Any questions of Tim? Avagene Moore: Any questions, folks? Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Isabel McCurdy: ? Amy Sebring: Tim, do your various state organizations coordinate with each other? Avagene Moore: ? Tim Bearden: We have an agreement to support each other as needed by just a phone call. Avagene Moore: Isabel. Isabel McCurdy: How long has your organization been involved with disaster relief? Rick Tobin: ? tom hale: ? Tim Bearden: Southern Baptist have been active since 1868, Tennessee Baptists since 1978. Avagene Moore: Two questions, Tim. 1. What is the connection between TBC and the Southern Baptist Convention? 2. Are you doing anything special this week to honor volunteers in your organization. Tim Bearden: We are two separate organizations connected by Baptist Churches. Avagene Moore: As far as National Volunteer Week, anything special going on? Tim Bearden: We are not doing anything this week for our volunteers, but we are having three celebrations of volunteers around the state. Avagene Moore: Good. Rick your question. Rick Tobin: How are you organized, for instance the ARC and TSA have regional and chapter structures? Is there a map showing these? Amy Sebring: ? Tim Bearden: We are organized by associations or groups of churches... Tim Bearden: There are 2957 churches in Tennessee and 68 associations. Avagene Moore: Tom, your question, please. tom hale: Thanks. Given the nature of your volunteers what qualification process, if any ,exists; and what training is provided. Tim Bearden: We provide an overview of disaster response understanding and ... Tim Bearden: Specialized training in feeding, cleanup and child care. Avagene Moore: Amy, your question, please. Amy Sebring: Do you try to involve young people or retired persons as well? Rick Tobin: ? Tim Bearden: Most of our volunteers are over 18 for safety reasons... Tim Bearden: Many of our most active volunteers are retired. Avagene Moore: Rick, please. Rick Tobin: A national law went into effect this year dealing with liability of volunteers. Did this apply to your organization--and if yes, how? Tim Bearden: That does effect us. Avagene Moore: Do you want to expand on that, Tim? Amy Sebring: ? Tim Bearden: Personal liability is diminished as long as the volunteer stays when in their limits. Avagene Moore: Amy, you have another question. Amy Sebring: Do you feel that good working relationships with other volunteer organizations and local government are important in coordinating response? Avagene Moore: (This is our last question for a few minutes.) Avagene Moore: We have lost Tim, momentarily. Avagene Moore: While waiting for him to return, let's move on with our program... Avagene Moore: We want to mention some other volunteer organizations or groups also at this point. ... Avagene Moore: A statistic of interest I learned preparing for this session .... Avagene Moore: Over 100 million adults and teenagers volunteer for different projects each year. Their contributions of time and service amount to some 20 billion hours worth an estimated $202 billion. ... Avagene Moore: There are several web sites you may wish to look at if you want more information about volunteer organizations and the service they provide. In fact, you may be interested in volunteering to share your expertise. ... Avagene Moore: One important effort that has received a lot of publicity is Gen. Colin Powell's involvement with America's Promise http://www.americaspromise.org . This effort is geared primarily toward getting young people to volunteer and help out their communities. ... Avagene Moore: Others that you may want to check out are: ..... Avagene Moore: The Community Preparedness Website Project at http://www.preparenow.org -- this site supports special needs and vulnerable populations in disaster. ... Avagene Moore: The United Methodist Committee on Relief http://gbgm- umc.org/units/umcor/emergency.html ... Avagene Moore: ACT - Action by Churches Together International --- ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. http://www.act- intl.org/ Avagene Moore: Of course, there are many, many more. I ask you to throw up some of the names and URLs of your favorite sites that deal with disaster relief and volunteer efforts. Avagene Moore: Just input some of your tried and trues. Might also add that we heard from ACT and Church World Services but they could not connect with us. Avagene Moore: Does anyone have a group they wish to mention? Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: VOAD is a good one. Avagene Moore: Amy. Amy Sebring: I don't have the site handy ... Amy Sebring: but I worked with our local RSVP program last year. Amy Sebring: That is retired and seniors volunteer program. Avagene Moore: Good. That is Retired persons, right. Avagene Moore: I read about that program on the Internet. Amy Sebring: I used them to assist with putting together "hurricane awareness kits". Amy Sebring: It was a good resource, and also got some media attention. Avagene Moore: You will recall that seniors are a great resource since there are so many more of them available. Amy Sebring: The media attention is also a good motivator for volunteers it turned out! Rick Tobin: I must mention the ARES and RACES folks who have done an incredible service for the Country. Avagene Moore: Does anyone have a good experience to relay about volunteers before I read you a poem? Avagene Moore: Good groups, Rick. Jose, how are volunteers in Peru? Avagene Moore: Do they play a major role in disaster response and recovery in your country? Avagene Moore: David, were volunteers a major resource when you were a local director? Avagene Moore: AK. Same question to you? Jose Musse: Hi, Mores important group volunteer in Peru are FD, have 10,000 men and woman Avagene Moore: Are most of your Fire Departments volunteers, Jose? Avagene Moore: Hey, Tim is back. Tim, we are discussion other volunteer organizations and roles now. Jose Musse: right all fire service in Peru is volunteer, no paid.. Avagene Moore: And they do a fabulous job, I am sure. Avagene Moore: David Crews, are you there? AK Miller: The groups we have had the most response from are ARES and the local ARC Amy Sebring: Our Salvation Army is also quite active locally. Avagene Moore: Rick, what about your experience with volunteer groups? AK Miller: ? Avagene Moore: Tom, I don't know where you are from? Do you have some experience with a volunteer organization that you can share? Avagene Moore: Andy. Rick Tobin: I had a lot....including my own....lots of good feelings about volunteers. AK Miller: Is there a resource to place volunteers (individuals) with groups during a disaster if they do not have a history and background in disaster assistance? Avagene Moore: Personally, I enjoyed working with volunteer fire departments in my county and the amateur radio operators. They were great. tom hale: Mostly that you will have more volunteers than available work/activity. Coordination and nurturing is most important element. Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Amy. Amy Sebring: Community Volunteer Centers seem to be interested in taking a role in coordinating ... Amy Sebring: "emergent" volunteers, but I feel this is an area that needs further work. Amy Sebring: More planning. Avagene Moore: Andy, I also found a resource on the Internet that finds volunteer opportunities in your area if you want to volunteer ... Avagene Moore: http://www.volunteermatch.org Avagene Moore: Since Tim is back, how does the TBC work new volunteers for disaster work? Avagene Moore: I guess mentoring would work in the field. Tim Bearden: During a disaster, ARC or VOAD can also help walk on volunteers. Avagene Moore: Do they place an experienced worker with an inexperienced one? AK Miller: Thanks - I always have had unaffiliated volunteers call and want to volunteer in major disasters usually out of state Avagene Moore: Any other questions for Tim? Avagene Moore: Or anyone online with us? Amy Sebring: ? Avagene Moore: Amy, please. Amy Sebring: Just a comment, that I think we are very blessed in this country ... Avagene Moore: Amen to that. Amy Sebring: to have a history and tradition of neighbors helping neighbors... Amy Sebring: and it still exists and seems to be stronger than ever... Tim Bearden: Usually inexperienced volunteers are place in none critical areas. Amy Sebring: despite all the trends to the contrary. Avagene Moore: Very nice and true thought, Amy. Avagene Moore: To close today, I would like to share a poem with you that I found on the Points of Light Foundation web site. (Author is unknown.) The first letter of each line spells VOLUNTEERS, very fitting to end today's session. ... Rick Tobin: May I make a comment regarding our country and volunteers versus say Europe? Avagene Moore: Yes. Ron Brittan: I am planning a project to the Balkans to help unite separated families. Avagene Moore: good for you, Ron. Avagene Moore: Rick, are you ready with your comment? Rick Tobin: The Europeans have noted often how stunned they are by American volunteerism, which is not that widespread in Europe. It has been said that this country would fall apart without volunteerism. I believe it. Avagene Moore: Probably true, Rick. Good point. Thank you. Avagene Moore: Now my poem ... Avagene Moore: Valuable is the work you do. Avagene Moore: Outstanding in how you always come through. Avagene Moore: Loyal, sincere and full of good cheer, Avagene Moore: Untiring in your efforts throughout the year. Avagene Moore: Notable are the contributions you make, Avagene Moore: Trustworthy in every project you take. Avagene Moore: Eager to reach your every goal, Avagene Moore: Effective in the way you fulfill your role. Avagene Moore: Ready with a smile like a shining star, Avagene Moore: Special and wonderful --- that's what you are. Avagene Moore: http://www.pointsoflight.org/volunteerweek/nvw_poem.html Avagene Moore: Thanks to Tim Bearden, TBC, and to you, the audience. We appreciate your participation today. .... Tim Bearden: Thank you, this is great. Avagene Moore: You are invited to join us tomorrow, Weds 4/21, 12: 00 Noon EDT, when Ken Olson, Emergency Manager, City of Lubbock, TX, tells us about Lubbock's Y2K exercise -- how/why it was designed, who participated in the exercise, the outcome and their experience before a Congressional Committee afterwards to share Lubbock's results. ... Avagene Moore: Next week, Tuesday April 27, 1: 00 PM EDT, Phyllis Mann, President Elect of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), will discuss the Y2K message Phyllis recently shared with a Senate Committee. ... Avagene Moore: On Wednesday, April 28, 12: 00 Noon EDT, the EIIP Virtual Forum will be the place to be --- The Tech Arena presents John Cormack, FEMA IT Directorate, in a discussion and demonstration of NEMIS. Avagene Moore: David Crews is back with us. David, I asked earlier how you used volunteers in your community. And then we will formally close the Round Table. Avagene Moore: While David is composing, Tim we really appreciate you being here today. And our audience, thank you. David Crews: I used Senior citizens, service organizations (Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mennonite ES) and Amateur Radio Club. Avagene Moore: Thanks, David. Avagene Moore: Our time is up for today's Round Table discussion. Thanks, again, to one and all. Especially Tim Bearden, TBC. If you wish to stay around a few minutes, please do. The Round Table is officially adjourned.