9/10/08 EIIP Virtual Forum Transcript: Aid Matrix Network

Amy Sebring: 
Good morning/afternoon everyone. Welcome to the Virtual Forum! We are pleased 
you could join us today, including our first-timers. We want you to feel 
comfortable about participating, and we will be giving instructions as we go 
along.

Amy Sebring: 
My colleague, Avagene, is traveling again today, this time to the NEMA workshop.  
My able assistant Lori Wieber is here for backup, and if you need assistance 
during today's program, you can send her a private message.

Amy Sebring: 
Our topic today is "The Aidmatrix Network: The Right Aid to the Right People at 
the Right Time."  Please see the Background Page for links to related 
information. Our guest will also be providing additional links during the 
presentation, which will be included in our transcript afterwards.

Amy Sebring: 
There is a related poll/survey question on our home page, "National efforts to 
educate the public to donate cash instead of goods are: a)Adequate b) Somewhat 
inadequate c) Woefully inadequate. " Please take a moment after our session to 
respond if you have not voted already, and review the results to date.

Amy Sebring: 
Before I introduce today's guest, for the benefit of our first-timers, we will 
go over the order of business.  We will begin with a presentation and then we 
will proceed to your questions and comments.

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Amy Sebring: 
Now it is my pleasure to introduce our guest. Melis Jones serves as Vice 
President at Aidmatrix, where she focuses on new partner development, 
sustainability initiatives, education and training, sales force management and 
specifically leads the Medical and Texas-based projects.

Amy Sebring: 
She has a strong background in technology, marketing and project management, 
with more than 12 years experience in management positions within the technology 
field.

Amy Sebring: 
Her volunteer efforts are extensive, including serving as a board member of 
Pratham and working with the Leukemia Society and local charitable 
organizations.

Amy Sebring: 
You can hear a short interview with Melis by going to our home page and clicking 
on "Preview Podcast" in the second paragraph. It should launch in your default 
audio player.

Amy Sebring: 
Welcome Melis and thank you for being with us today. I now turn the floor over 
to you to start us off please.

Melis Jones: 
Thank you.

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix is a nonprofit organization.  We believe that by working together as 
partners, we can triumph over the world's most challenging humanitarian crises. 
The Aidmatrix Foundation, Inc. builds and operates powerful technology 'hubs' 
that support diverse stakeholder groups working together to solve the world's 
most challenging humanitarian crises.

Melis Jones: 
More than 35,000 leading corporate, nonprofit and government partners use our 
solutions to mobilize aid.  We work in the areas of hunger, medical and 
disaster.  The donated goods, money and services impact the lives of more than 
65 million people.

Melis Jones: 
Our world-class systems make it easy and efficient for everyone from donors, to 
nonprofits, to governments, to get the right aid, to people when and where they 
need it most. Our Aidmatrix team of passionate people is dedicated to creating 
and delivering tools and processes that bring people together to help others.

Melis Jones: 
Today I am going to focus on our US Disaster Programs.  The program focuses on 
unsolicited donations of cash, in kind products and unaffiliated volunteers.

Melis Jones: 
Last summer, we launched the FEMA and sponsor funded program.  The program was 
designed to honor established donations management best practices.  The 
solutions were designed by the community, for the community.

Melis Jones: 
Representatives with deep donations management expertise, from the States, FEMA 
Donations Management experts, VOAD nonprofit organizations and private sector 
participated to help design the solutions.

Melis Jones: 
A little more than one year later, 27 states, 1 territory and 1 city are part of 
the Network.  Please see the map 
http://www.aidmatrix.org/AidmatrixNetwork_states_lg.jpg .

Melis Jones: 
The initial focus was a rim strategy and current efforts are focused more on mid 
America.  As you can see what is being formed is truly a network.  States can 
share offers and needs to help get the right aid, to the right person, at the 
right time amongst all stakeholders.

Melis Jones: 
From a historical perspective Hurricane Andrew, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina 
brought donations management to the forefront.  FEMA choose to partner with 
Aidmatrix because our strength is in managing donations.  We help move over $1.5 
billion in aid on an annual basis.

Melis Jones: 
States opt-in to the program.  They can use one or many of the tools that are 
available as part of the Aidmatrix 'Disaster Tool' Kit.  If the state has an 
ongoing program/technology already in place, they are encouraged to use that.

Melis Jones: 
The FEMA program is designed to "raise all boats". By providing world class 
tools to all states, a common infrastructure is created to support the National 
Response Framework. We also partner with VOAD.  The recipients of the donations 
are primarily VOAD members as they are vetted nonprofit organizations with 
disaster response missions.

Melis Jones: 
In regard to hurricane Gustav, states from Texas to Florida have posted their 
portals.  As one of the first steps, each state must decide where to post their 
link.

Melis Jones: 
Let's look at Louisiana's portal as an example, where donors can choose to 
donate cash, in kind products or volunteer.  Louisiana has chosen to use all of 
the tools.  See http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema/states.aspx?ST=Louisiana

Melis Jones: 
The cash section features Louisiana's State VOAD and National VOAD Members.  The 
list is in random order and donors can 'Learn More' or 'Donate Now'.  The URLs 
are provided by the nonprofits and donors are directed to their on-line donate 
now systems.

Melis Jones: 
We'll transition now to the In-Kind overview.  Donors can offer donations 
online. When an offer goes into a state portal, the State Donations Coordination 
Team (DCT) receives an email alert letting them know a new offer has been 
pledged.

Melis Jones: 
When administrators log in they see an exec dashboard that gives them a snapshot 
of the donations. Amy, slide 1 please.

Amy Sebring: 
http://www.emforum.org/vforum/Aidmatrix/slide01.htm

Melis Jones: 
The DCT team is generally made up of State Donations Management and State VOAD 
leadership. The DCT reviews the offers and if they are offers that would be 
needed by the nonprofit community, it's shared via the 'Network'.

Melis Jones: 
In turn the nonprofit(s) receive an email alert and they can log into the 
Aidmatrix Network and review their offers and either Accept or Decline the 
offer. The State and VOAD can leverage the system to help streamline their 
processes.

Melis Jones: 
In the past, this was mostly done by excel spreadsheets, post it notes, internal 
to emergency management databases, numerous telephone calls and emails. 
Traditional processing of offers did not connect in a structured way the 
stakeholders; government, VOAD and private sector. Amy, slide 2 please.

Amy Sebring: 
http://www.emforum.org/vforum/Aidmatrix/slide02.htm

Melis Jones: 
In June of this year, new functionality as part of the In-Kind system was 
launched including 'Needs' functionality.  For example, if you click on 
Louisiana's Product Donations Section you will see a list of Needs.  These needs 
are provided by Louisiana's nonprofit community.

Melis Jones: 
States can aggregate their needs and use them to help facilitate matching of 
inbound donations.  States can also share their needs with their trusted 
partners.

Melis Jones: 
For example, the State of Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi have been sharing 
their needs with the BENS - Business Executives for National Security, at 
www.bens.org and ALAN American Logistics Aid Network, at www.alanaid.org

Melis Jones: 
Donors can review the Needs and pledge directly to them.  The needs are updated 
in real time to reflect the offer.  For example, if there was a need for 10 
pallets of roofing supplies and 4 pallets were offered, the Louisiana portal 
would be updated to reflect the new need of 6 pallets.

Melis Jones: 
The third component to the Aidmatrix Network is the Volunteer Management 
Solution.  Aidmatrix does not want to recreate the wheel, the Volunteer 
Management solution, like all of our tools are designed to help states that do 
not have solutions to manage their unaffiliated volunteers.

Melis Jones: 
States can refer unaffiliated volunteers to their existing partner(s).  
California is such an example. If you go to the California OES website, 
http://www.oes.ca.gov/ , and click on the red Donations button on the right you 
will see the California Aidmatrix Portal.

Melis Jones: 
Click on the Volunteer Registration and it will direct you to California 
Volunteers.  On the other hand, if you visit the Alabama website, 
http://www.servealabama.gov/ , you and click on the Volunteer section, you will 
be taken to the registration form. More tools will added to the Disaster Kit 
throughout 2009.

Melis Jones: 
The fourth component to the Aidmatrix Disaster Tool Kit is the Warehouse 
Management module.  This tool is designed to help manage a warehouse set up to 
support disaster response.

Melis Jones: 
It tracks inbound and outbound shipments, donors, recipients, and has a powerful 
reporting capability.  It is designed for ease of use. Amy, slide 3 please.

Amy Sebring: 
http://www.emforum.org/vforum/Aidmatrix/slide03.htm

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix tools are web based. No additional hardware or software is needed.  
All that is needed is access to the internet. There is no cost to the State for 
use of the Aidmatrix National Donations Management Network.

Melis Jones: 
More information about the Disaster Kit Modules can be found at 
http://www.aidmatrix.org/AN_government.html

Melis Jones: 
In regard to the process, Aidmatrix works hand in hand with the FEMA regional 
VAL and the State Donations Manager.  Once a state has signed their MOU (Memo of 
Understanding), Aidmatrix works with them to schedule training for the 
administrative team and their nonprofit recipients. Aidmatrix is a partner 
throughout the process helping the state with their adoption and implementation 
plans.

Melis Jones: 
As we mentioned, Aidmatrix is a nonprofit.  Thus we are mission driven.  Our 
goal to be to help 'connect the dots' to help serve those in need.  We strive to 
'amplify' the tremendous efforts of all our partners and we are honored to be 
part of this program.

Melis Jones: 
If you are in State government and want to learn more, Mike Seifert is your 
contact.  His contact information is mike_seifert@aidmatrix.org.  His phone 
number is (414) 659-1905.

Melis Jones: 
This concludes my formal presentation and I will be happy to try to respond to 
your questions or comments.  I will turn the floor back over to our moderator.

Amy Sebring: 
Thank you very much Melis.  Now, to proceed to your questions or comments. We 
are using the Moderation feature today. When you click on Send (or hit the Enter 
key), your question or comment will not go directly to the screen...

Amy Sebring: 
Instead, it goes to a Moderator's Admin Panel, to be released into the chat at 
the appropriate time.  We will take the questions or comments in the order 
submitted.  Please be patient as it may take some time to get to yours, if there 
are several ahead of you.

Amy Sebring: 
Please do NOT submit multi-part questions or very lengthy comments.  Instead, if 
you have a second question or a follow up question, please compose and submit it 
separately.

Amy Sebring: 
We are ready to begin now, and you can enter your question or comment anytime 
you are ready. We especially want to hear your comments about any specific 
experience you may have had in this area.

Isabel McCurdy: 
Melis, timing is everything. Who decides when to implement the pledge system? 
You or the benefactor?

Melis Jones: 
The States are our 'customers' if you will.  They work closely with their VOAD 
partners to set up the systems and to decide on timing of the release.

Lise Anne Pierce: 
Is Aidmatrix available for use to Canadian Government and NGOs?

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix is being used internationally.  We would be happy to have 
conversations with you about how to initiate a Canadian Aidmatrix Network.

Jaye Compton: 
Is the primary server for AidMatrix active 24/7/365 or could a user expect some 
downtime?

Melis Jones: 
The system is available 24/7.

Melis Jones: 
And Aidmatrix staff is here to help supplement efforts during times of disaster.  
For example we 'deployed' staff to CA during the wildfires and to Iowa and 
Indiana during the Midwest floods.

Budd Johnson: 
Is this "taking away from" or reinventing the wheel that the American Red Cross 
and Salvation Army started or are they part of it?

Melis Jones: 
This FEMA-funded system is focused on unsolicited donations.  That is an 
important message.  Those donors who already have relationships with nonprofits 
will maintain those.  This system is meant to be 'additive' and help bring more 
to the nonprofit community.

Jaye Compton: 
Does the warehouse tool have capability for bar coding donated goods?

Melis Jones: 
That's an interesting question.

Melis Jones: 
Most of the disaster warehouses we support receive in items in black plastic 
bags.

Melis Jones: 
They are generally not new donations.

Melis Jones: 
Thus the Disaster Warehouse technology doesn't support bar-coding because it's 
not right for this environment.

Melis Jones: 
However, Aidmatrix does have other Warehouse Management Solutions for other 
types of environments that do support bar coding.

Jaye Compton: 
Is there a complete and detailed users guide available for Aidmatrix online?

Melis Jones: 
There is high level information, but we would be happy to provide more details 
about the functionality of the system offline.

Steve_McGee: 
RFID tagging like the United Parcel Service uses (one of your main sponsor's) 
would add that product coding.

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix loves the idea of RFID and be happy to work with our partners on 
appropriate projects.

Lisa Destro: 
Did Aidmatrix work with New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina?

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix did support Louisiana during Katrina.

Melis Jones: 
For example, we worked with the Adventists Community Services and the State of 
LA to help them with their multiagency warehouse.

Melis Jones: 
Within 36 hrs we had a team in LA working.

Melis Jones: 
The State of LA was able to view into the inventory and see, in real time what 
was avaialble.

Melis Jones: 
This was one of the reasons FEMA adopted the system.

Melis Jones: 
It was tested in the field 'under fire' and was easy to use and of high value to 
the state.

Michael J. Chumer: 
Do you have a GIS or Google Earth component for geo-locating the source and 
recipient of donations??

Melis Jones: 
Interesting. 

Melis Jones: 
We are experimenting with that in the 'lab' but it has not been incorporated 
into our product set yet.

Jose Holguin-Veras: 
One of the most serious challenges to researchers, like myself, that are doing 
work in humanitarian logistics is the lack of data to test and develop supply 
chain models. Aidmatrix could go a long way to help fill this gap. Could the 
data collected at a disaster be shared with researchers?

Melis Jones: 
The data does not belong to Aidmatrix.

Melis Jones: 
Each state owns the data and they can decide who to share it with.

Melis Jones: 
We would be happy to continue a conversation with you about this and facilitate 
introductions to state leadership.

Jaye Compton: 
Follow up comment on bar coding - donations need to be sorted and stored in a 
fashion they can be accounted for and recovered for issue (if they are usable).  
Bar coding could help with this.

Melis Jones: 
Jaye, we work closely with our state partners to understand their requirements.

Melis Jones: 
As of this time they haven't told us they want the bar coding but from an 
Aidmatrix perspective we would be happy to listen to the community and provide 
as needed.

Susan Boldt: 
Regarding the State Donations Management Team....  Could you please identify the 
types of individuals that would be useful to have on the Team?

Melis Jones: 
Yes

Melis Jones: 
On the State DCT we see a combinations of folks.

Melis Jones: 
For example in the state of OK the DCT is made up of the State Donations Manager

Melis Jones: 
the State VOAD leadership..

Melis Jones: 
and the primary administrator is the OK Food Banker as he is very familiar with 
the Aidmatrix system

Melis Jones: 
and the State VOAD has a strong relationship and has been working together well 
for years.

Melis Jones: 
In every state we see a combination of VOAD and State partnership

Melis Jones: 
that's the consistent theme...

Susanne Jul: 
Apologies if I missed this (technical difficulties): Does Aidmatrix provide for 
corporate donations, or is it aimed exclusively at individuals?

Melis Jones: 
Donors can be individuals or corporations...

Melis Jones: 
the network, in conjunctions with the community, has designed language that 
encourage large..

Melis Jones: 
new and bulk items

Melis Jones: 
One of the values of the system also is to help those that have donations that 
aren't appropriate for the emergency response or rebuilding phase...

Melis Jones: 
is to help guide them to locations/organizations in their state that can use 
them...

Melis Jones: 
each state can customize the message for those offers that are not needed...

Derri Hanson: 
As a user of the Aidmatrix system it has helped reduce the number of black 
plastic bags.

Melis Jones: 
That's the goal.

Melis Jones: 
Many folks are now going on line and pledging their offer...

Melis Jones: 
it's actually a positive if some of those donations are 'declined' before they 
are shipped to the disaster site.

Melis Jones: 
Therefore it's good to see items that have been accepted and declined

Bob Quimby: 
Are donated goods stored near the staging area and identified so the managers 
can decide the best use/transport arrangements?

Melis Jones: 
Each state has a process for how they stage.

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix warehouse system is a tool that the State Donations Managers can use 
to help them with this effort.

Jennifer Jettner: 
Is it Aidmatrix that sets up the warehouse in the state, or is it the state's 
responsibility to get a warehouse to use?

Melis Jones: 
That a good question.

Melis Jones: 
Each state makes the call whether or not they are going to raise a warehouse...

Melis Jones: 
in turn, Aidmatrix is the tool that used to manage the inventory...

Melis Jones: 
For example, in Iowa FEMA VALS worked closely with Joyce Flinn...

Melis Jones: 
monitoring donations and together they made a decision to raise a warehouse to 
support recovery efforts.

Amy Sebring: 
I am sorry Melis, but could you remind me what VALS stands for?

Melis Jones: 
Sorry.

Melis Jones: 
Voluntary Agency Liaison.

Amy Sebring: 
Thanks....

Greg Smith: 
Melis, in addition to the support Aidmatrix provides to states, can you speak to 
how EMAC can also be used to assist a state's efforts, especially those new to 
the system?

Melis Jones: 
Yes, thank you Greg.

Melis Jones: 
It's actually very exciting.

Melis Jones: 
Many states are now using EMAC to help move donations management experts who 
have experience with the Aidmatrix Network.

Melis Jones: 
For example, in CA they received help from the great State of Alabama

Melis Jones: 
James Mullins was there to support Greg Smith and help share best practices and 
provide support when Greg was preoccupied with the wild fires

Melis Jones: 
Greg would you like to add anything to that?

Greg Smith: 
In California, after adopting Aidmatrix, we had zero incidence of unsolicited 
offers showing up at undesired sites. Prior to this, we were the poster child 
for the infamous 2nd Disaster.  We attribute this turnaround to using the 
Aidmatrix system.

Melis Jones: 
Thank you.

Jaye Compton: 
If a state receives donations that are not usable (i.e., coats delivered to 
Mississippi when temperatures are 90 degrees), can they see needs from other 
states that may be able to use them or can other states see that these donations 
may be available?

Melis Jones: 
From the Aidmatrix perspective, we capture donor intent..

Melis Jones: 
We believe in transparency and accountability and we provide that to the State 
so they can make decisions about what can be shared and with whom

Jennifer Jettner: 
If a donor requests to have their donation be tax deductible, that would be the 
responsibility of the non-profit that received the donation, correct?

Melis Jones: 
Yes

Melis Jones: 
It's the nonprofit's responsibility to receipt the donations

Melis Jones: 
And in training we review with the nonprofits...

Melis Jones: 
what their responsibilities are...

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix never takes receipt of the goods.

Amy Sebring: 
I have a question Melis relating to the training.  Do you do that in person or 
online?

Melis Jones: 
Most of our training is web-based.

Melis Jones: 
We do it over the Internet and folks do not even have to leave their office...

Melis Jones: 
However, for some larger events we do go in person....

Amy Sebring: 
Let me ask one more...

Amy Sebring: 
if a state is NOT currently participating...

Amy Sebring: 
what would you advise our folks to do to get them on board?

Melis Jones: 
I would advise them to call Mike Seifert at ...

Melis Jones: 
414/659-1905

Melis Jones: 
or email him at mike_seifert@aidmatrix.org

Melis Jones: 
As mentioned, 27 states are now signed...

Melis Jones: 
and we are in conversations with at least half a dozen others.

Derri Hanson: 
Are the state portals active during peacetime also?

Melis Jones: 
Yes.

Melis Jones: 
In fact, CA and Texas are both great examples.  :)

Melis Jones: 
These states have their portals open 24/7 to receive offers of goods.

Melis Jones: 
Greg or Dee, would you like to comment on this?

Greg Smith: 
don't forget about our good friend Alex from Florida,  These two guys provided 
so much support, along with Mike Seifert, I don't know if it would have been a 
success without them.  We strongly encourage states to avail themselves of this 
great tool during disasters.

Greg Smith: 
We just completed a donation for 10 porta potties, non disaster related that a 
nonprofit partner found useful.  This occurred yesterday.

Michael J. Chumer: 
It sounds like a "reactionary" system...where do you stand on pre-positioning 
resources for anticipated Emergency Mgmt (response, recovery) use?

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix systems can and are used in all phases of the disaster...

Melis Jones: 
the network is new...

Melis Jones: 
It will look different tomorrow, six months from now and in one year.

Melis Jones: 
For example, we work with America's Second Harvest (now feeding America) and 
have helped them...

Melis Jones: 
create systems to change the donations from a simple 'push' system...

Melis Jones: 
to one of a 'pull' system where food banks actually bid on their food to help 
create more nutritious meals.

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix believes in creating tools the community will use...

Melis Jones: 
in that vein, there will be many enhancements and the solution will 'evolve' 
along the way...

Melis Jones: 
with great user experiences from CA, FL, TX, Iowa, and others.

Amy Sebring: 
Are there any specific enhancements you are currently planning?

Melis Jones: 
I would expect to see the system address future needs. Our job is to listen to 
the community and help create technology that makes their jobs easier.

Mary Woodward: 
When donors offer a gift, is there a notation/section that indicates that the 
donor will/will not arrange delivery to the indicated recipient address?

Melis Jones: 
Actually the donor is asked whether or not they are able to provide 
transportation...

Melis Jones: 
the nonprofit sees this information when they review the offer...

Melis Jones: 
if a nonprofit cacepts a donation and in turn needs help with transportation...

Melis Jones: 
they can actually request that within the Aidmatrix system....

Melis Jones: 
Aidmatrix has partnered with UPS to create a Transportation Network...

Melis Jones: 
this is a true public/private partnership...

Melis Jones: 
For example, Iowa Habitat for Humanity ...

Melis Jones: 
received an offer of $200,000 worth of carpeting...

Melis Jones: 
but the material was in CA.

Melis Jones: 
Habitat requested transportation within the Aidmatrix system...

Melis Jones: 
and a transportation donor accepted it and moved the carpeting to Des Moines.

Melis Jones: 
This is another example of how the network has already grown.

[A question was lost from the transcript.  Essentially the question was whether 
the Aidmatrix system accommodate non-traditional types of goods or services.]  

Melis Jones: 
Yes, donors can offer their services...

Melis Jones: 
this is facilitated through the In-kind section...

Melis Jones: 
we have had offers for example of bulldozers along with operators

Melis Jones: 
For those of you that have not seen the system, a picture is worth a thousand 
words.

Melis Jones: 
We would be happy to schedule a time to do a walk through of the solutions or I 
encourage you to reach out to..

Melis Jones: 
folks that have already used the system such as Greg Smith in CA

Melis Jones: 
or Joyce Flinn in Iowa

Melis Jones: 
or Allen Roark in Mississippi

Melis Jones: 
These are all state donations managers

John Vollmer: 
What are the costs associated with this program?

Melis Jones: 
The base program is free to States in the United States.

Melis Jones: 
States can customize their solution for an additional fee...

Melis Jones: 
but the base system is very powerful and offers a tremendous amount of 
functionality.

Rick Fernandez: 
How has Aidmatrix been used to help transition from response to recovery?  I 
think this relates to the "peacetime" question.

Melis Jones: 
Let's use Iowa as an example...

Melis Jones: 
They stood up in the middle of a disaster...

Melis Jones: 
but now if you go to the Iowa portal...

Melis Jones: 
you will see they are still posting needs...

Melis Jones: 
the State is using this as a tool to help drive attention to the recovery 
efforts...

Melis Jones: 
long after the TV cameras are gone...

Melis Jones: 
The system helps speak for those organizations that are helping our citizens 
rebuild

Melis Jones: 
In addition

Melis Jones: 
Iowa is sharing their needs with their trusted corporate partners, such as BENS

Melis Jones: 
and BENS are promoting the needs to their private sector partners

Melis Jones: 
The US Chamber is also helping to promote these needs

Melis Jones: 
Greg Smith from CA can also speak to this.

Melis Jones: 
The system is helping CA even today post wildfires.

Amy Sebring: 
Melis, in addition to the state portals, there is a national portal?  If so, how 
does that work?

Melis Jones: 
There is a National Portal....

Melis Jones: 
For example, the national portal was recently promoted..

Melis Jones: 
during the Gustav response...

Melis Jones: 
FEMA was anticipating there might be a large volume of calls...

Melis Jones: 
so the National portal is really used as a 'safety valve'

Melis Jones: 
FEMA does not accept offers of donations

Melis Jones: 
rather they use this portal to push offers to the states and to the VOAD members

Amy Sebring: 
A couple of final audience comments and then it will be time to wrap for today 
...

Greg Smith: 
During the fires of '07 we had many donations in which transportation wasn't 
provided by the donor, but with help from UPS, each donation was shipped 
successfully..

Greg Smith: 
We continue to build capacity by adding nonprofits and local government to our 
list of recipient agencies with the help of Aidmatrix.

Melis Jones: 
Great.  Say hello to Portia for me.

Dwane Hubert: 
I would be interested in some successful marketing strategies that states have 
used to drive donors to the Aidmatrix website. Thanks.

Amy Sebring: 
Can you address this comment from Dwane in closing Melis?

Melis Jones: 
yes.

Melis Jones: 
Thank you.

Melis Jones: 
The Aidmatrix Network is a tool for the states to help them work more 
efficiently with their nonprofit partners...

Melis Jones: 
It is the responsibility of each state to promote their portals.  That is not 
Aidmatrix's role...

Melis Jones: 
We are the underlying infrastructure if you will...

Melis Jones: 
In the Midwest and in CA,

Melis Jones: 
there are great examples of the states working to get the message out...

Melis Jones: 
It means working with your PIO

Melis Jones: 
Public Information Officer, in advance

Melis Jones: 
working with your Governor...

Melis Jones: 
working to put together press releases and putting together PSAs

Melis Jones: 
and working to decide where the links will be featured.

Melis Jones: 
This work ...

Melis Jones: 
ideally should be done before the waters start to rise...

Melis Jones: 
The system is only of value if people use it.

Amy Sebring: 
Time to wrap for today. Thank you very much Melis for an excellent job. We wish 
you and your colleagues at Aidmatrix continuing success in your mission. A 
special thanks to Charlotte Medley for assisting with preparation for today's 
program...

Melis Jones: 
Our pleasure.

Melis Jones: 
Amy great job.

Melis Jones: 
Thank you for your help.

Amy Sebring: 
And thanks to all our participants for great questions and comments. Please 
stand by just a moment while we make a couple of quick announcements...

Amy Sebring: 
Again, the formatted transcript will be available later today.  If you are not 
on our mailing list and would like to get notices of future sessions and 
availability of transcripts, just go to our home page to Subscribe.

Amy Sebring: 
Don't forget to vote in our poll, and PLEASE take a moment to do the 
rating/review!

Amy Sebring: 
Thanks to everyone for participating today. We stand adjourned but before you 
go, please help me show our appreciation to Melis for an excellent job!