Urgent Needs

Disaster Response Team Needs

Volunteer Coordinators Needed in Every Church

The Ohio Conference Disaster Response Team needs a person in each church to act as a volunteer coordinator. Ideally, coordinators would identify people in the church and the skills and resources they could offer in an emergency: building and repair skills, equipment or trucks that could be used, fluency in Spanish, etc. Click here for more details about what a coordinator does.

Area Managers Needed

The Disaster Response Team needs to respond quickly when a disaster happens. To do this, we need people who are willing to be called on to meet disaster victims' immediate needs, especially right after a crisis occurs. We're not looking for a definite commitment but for an indication of willingness to be called upon.

The Disaster Response Team could be even more effective if we had a "bank" of church coordinators and area managers who could be called upon immediately after an emergency. Training opportunities for both Managers and Coordinators are readily available in your area.

If you are interested or want more information, contact a member of the Disaster Response Team from your area or Team Director, Jim Ditzler, at 330-262-3242 or jditzler@sssnet.com.

Disaster Response Kit Inventory Managers Needed

There is a major need for a few persons who can take over the kit inventory management in north central Ohio. When churches notify us that they have kits to be picked up, someone with access to an appropriate vehicle (pickup truck) needs to go to the church, load the kits, check them, complete them if necessary, take them to one of our storage locations, unload and stack them.

This would be a very worthwhile ministry for a small group of retired persons. Please call if you can help: Jim Ditzler, 330-262-3242 or jditzler@sssnet.com.

Work Site Hosts - Work Coordinators Needed

The Disaster Response Team would like to develop a modest number of people/couples who will take up short-term residence at a work area to act as hosts and general work coordinators for groups of volunteers. These people would need to familiarize themselves with the community and the work sites, act as a liaison with volunteer group leaders as they make plans for their trip, and facilitate the group's work experience. Specifics would depend on individual disaster sites and group needs.

A term of three - four weeks residence in a work area would be expected. All expenses would be covered.

This could be a very interesting experience for retired and able couples or persons looking for something new but not too risky.

Chain Saw Crew Needed

It would be extremely valuable to have a skilled chain saw crew, trained and with their own equipment, to function as a part of the Disaster Response Ministry. This is the single most-requested service in disasters and non-disaster wind storms. If you would be willing to organize such a group of skilled workers, contact Jim Ditzler, 330-262-3242 or jditzler@sssnet.com.

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Urgent Needs	Conference Ministries
Equipment for mud-out trailer being used in Northwest Ohio Long-Term Volunteers in New Orleans and Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi Church Coordinators and Area Managers Kit Inventory Managers Work Site Hosts • Chain Saw Crew	Disaster Response
	Disaster Response Stories
	Disaster Response Kits
	Recovery needs NW Ohio Floods August 2007
Click photo for March 2008 New Orleans update from the SE Conference. (PDF)	Recovery needs NW Ohio Floods August 2007
May 2006 Rebuilding New Orleans	Missouri Ice Storm in January 2007
Seeking Long-Term Disaster Recovery Volunteers Will you help rebuild New Orleans? Do you have general construction skills? Do you have organizational/administrative skills? Do you have a caring and compassionate heart? YOU are NEEDED For the recovery process from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans Systems are in place for expanding and continuing the United Church of Christ’s participation in the recovery and rebuilding of New Orleans. The UCC hurricane recovery office is in place, significant rebuilding work has begun, and much more work has been identified. Many volunteer work groups have already come and worked with people who have “unmet needs” in the recovery process. Groups are now scheduled well into 2007. As the city comes back to life, long-term volunteers are needed to help facilitate the work of these groups and aid in the overall recovery and rebuilding. Volunteer positions are available in UCC National Disaster Ministries through the Volunteer Ministries “Partners in Service” program. Will YOU consider serving? Current volunteer openings in New Orleans as part of the United Church of Christ, South Central Conference, Disaster Recovery Site Construction Supervisor - 2 positions Case manager - 1 position Volunteer Coordinator -1 position Administrative Assistant – 1 position	When a Disaster Happens How to help • Do's and Don'ts
	Volunteer Work Trips How to organize a work team What to expect
	Tool Trailer
	About the Disaster Response Team
	Bulletin Insert for Disaster Response Offering









Position Description Site Construction Supervisor (2 Positions Available) General Duties of the Site Construction Supervisor: Work with Minister for Disaster Recovery to identify work projects and define scope of work. Provide on-site construction management to volunteer work groups, including safety protocols, training, and supervision. Work with designated site supervisors of volunteer work groups to facilitate progress on work sites and communicate project goals. Assist Minister for Disaster Recovery in assessing need for construction materials and procuring those materials. Position Description Case Manager Case Manager Responsibilities: The case manager assumes the following responsibilities: Develop a resource list of inter-agency contacts and have a working understanding of the programs available. Assist the client to develop a long-range Recovery Plan, explore all available options, identify the client’s own resources and access government and community resources that will address disaster-caused needs. Help the client develop a plan of action. Assess unmet recovery needs, with the client, through interviewing, making appropriate referrals and providing advocacy for the client. Keep a written narrative of the work done on the case. Present the case to the long term recovery group(s). Communicate back to the survivor the assistance to be provided from the long term recovery committee and any limitations to the assistance available. Make any necessary referrals to fill gaps in assistance. Verify the results of the assistance provided in order to close the case. Position Description Volunteer Coordinator General Duties of the Volunteer Coordinator: Organize schedule of work teams and individual volunteers. Respond to requests for information from groups and individuals. Communicate responsibilities and needs to groups and individuals. Greet and provided hospitality for groups and individuals. Participate in and help provide leadership to orientation and debriefing sessions with work teams. Organize and facilitate a positive volunteer experience for all individual volunteers. Position Description Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant Responsibilities: Schedule work groups as applications are received. Maintain an up-to-date calendar of scheduled groups and host churches. Respond to requests for information from groups and individuals Communicate responsibilities and needs to groups and individuals. Update host churches with changes in schedule. Update work project records as additional requests for help are received. Update work project records as work is accomplished or completed. Communicate as needed with home owners. Maintain an accurate and detailed filing system. Maintain inventory of equipment and supplies. Perform tasks as requested by the Minister for Disaster Recovery.
The “Partners in Service” Program These volunteer positions will be considered part of the “Partners in Service” program of the UCC Office of Volunteer Ministries. “Partners in Service” volunteer positions are full-time placements for a specified period of time. These positions are available for individuals or couples. The volunteer receives housing, a food/general stipend during the service period, reimbursement for work-related travel, and a limited accident and illness health insurance policy if needed. There is also an annual retreat for volunteers placed for a 9- 12 month period. Desired Skills and Commitment of Volunteers: Flexibility and patience Strong general construction skills Strong organizational skills Computer skills are needed for each of these positions Self-starter and able to work independently while valuing teamwork Ability to work well with skilled and unskilled volunteers Ability to commit to a 3 -12 month assignment Please contact Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Executive for Volunteer Ministries, blaufusm@ucc.org, Phone: 866-822-8224 ext.3214, if you feel God is calling you to this ministry. For specific information concerning the work and ministry in New Orleans, please contact Rev. Alan Coe, Minister for Disaster Recovery 830-832-2222 or revacoe@yahoo.com