CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
More About Joining NVOAD

To further facilitate a smooth relationship with NVOAD—setting the stage for an even more effective role during disasters—each temple across America should have their temple president and/or Food For Life director attend one of NVOAD’s monthly meetings that are held at the state level. Large states like California have two state VOADs.

These meetings are held at the different facilities owned by the various groups that make up NVOAD. For example, I once attended a meeting held in a Seventh-Day Adventist hospital. Later we were all treated to a vegetarian lunch in their cafeteria.

ISKCON’s network of Food For Life volunteers already exists and this same network can be plugged into these NVOAD meetings. Prasadam cookies can be brought to these functions and many valuable friendships made.

For instance, I got to meet the Fire Chief from a small town in the mountains above Colorado Springs. Years ago, his wife had known devotees and eaten prasadam when she was going to college in California. I brought her some maha-prasadam. The point is that thousands of friends like these are waiting to be made. If a large forest fire was raging out of control in that area and Krishna Disaster Relief needed water to fill the tank on its truck, a fire station would be a possible source. Providing drinking water to an "army" of firefighters is another type of disaster relief work that Krishna Disaster Relief might participate in. Or, a small town could burn to the ground, creating a national news sensation. In any event, there are countless scenarios, and these friendships can later turn out to be valuable assets.

At Krishna Disaster Relief’s headquarters, its main office should receive feedback on all these monthly meetings and a computer record of names, etc. created and organized.

Concerning the NVOAD meetings, you may ask, "but don’t we need to be invited?" Well, not really. Once Krishna Disaster Relief’s blueprint has been approved and the green light given, then the appropriate devotees can contact their state VOAD office. This will tell them when and where the next meeting will occur (see American Red Cross letter in appendix). All that is needed is a self-introduction. Then indicate that Krishna Disaster Relief would like to attended. Mention that Krishna Disaster Relief has been active in the past with the state VOAD contingent in Colorado, called COVAD. Mention that Krishna Disaster Relief has attended NVOAD’s annual meeting in Washington and has been invited to apply for membership.

The important point is that every monthly meeting must be attended—in as many different states as possible. Two devotees should attend. If for some reason both of them can’t make a meeting, then at least one can attend. Attendance must be there. In time, the temple, itself, might like to host one of these meetings. If the temple has a restaurant, it would fit in nicely—but this is not necessary.

Besides these monthly VOAD meetings, several times a year, various disaster drills are staged. Just last week in San Antonio, a huge earthquake drill was staged involving all kinds of people and equipment. Again, this would be an excellent opportunity to distribute prasadam, make friends, and learn. I was invited to attend such a drill in Denver and I got to meet many of the city leaders. And they loved the cookies. These drills are covered by the news media and I would imagine that Krishna Disaster Relief would get some very good press by participating.

Attending these various functions are very important. Our nationwide presence will give Krishna Disaster Relief credibility and improve our overall reception and response to actual disasters.

NVOAD sponsors another series of meeting, held two or three times a year in various locations. Although these meetings are not mandatory. However, most of the CEOs of the various relief organizations that belong to NVOAD do attend. Krishna Disaster Relief needs its CEO!

Since this is a blueprint for success, Krishna Disaster Relief should attend every type of meeting NVOAD holds. As far as attending these other training meetings, if the director of Krishna Disaster Relief cannot attend, then the temple president located closest to the actual meeting site should go. He could then report back to Krishna Disaster Relief on what took place.

By the way, here is a good example why one of my concerns is about money. These meetings are held in only the finest facilities and simply to attend will require so many things. A short list would include transportation, hotel fees, proper attire, and meals.

I mentioned that every year (in January) there is a mandatory meeting of NVOAD’s full membership. Besides attending, ISKCON should present NVOAD with a small donation to help assist them with their administrative costs. This isn’t required and doesn’t have to be a huge sum of money. But again, you are reading a blueprint for success and this small donation should be given to NVOAD yearly. When I attended, I gave Mr. Baines two hundred dollars.

Finally, one other program that Krishna Disaster Relief should participate in, involves some college-type courses. Covering all aspects of disaster relief, they are offered by the United States government. Near Washington, a special college campus has been established for this very purpose. The details on this college can be obtained from NVOAD. Graduating from this school, the director of Krishna Disaster Relief would bring to it the kind of accreditation that would help transform the "paper tiger" into something we can all be very proud of.