General Questions

What is a VOAD?

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster or “VOAD” is a structure that provides a mechanism for representatives of voluntary agencies and organizations that have a role, purpose or function in disaster response and recovery to network and share information.

VOAD is dedicated to whole community engagement and recognizes that all sectors of society must work together to foster more resilient communities.

What is the goal of the Wilson County VOAD?

The goal of the Wilson County VOAD is to increase capacity to provide more efficient services to survivors of disasters.

We achieve this by improving responses to disasters through cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration. Our network of local organizations share best practices with individuals and organizations active in disaster response.

What is the Wilson County VOAD Emergency Management Cycle?

Mitigation – Minimizing the effects of disasters

Preparedness – Planning how to respond

Response – Protecting the public and meeting survivors’ immediate needs

Recovery – Returning the community to normal

Why is the Wilson County VOAD beneficial to our communities?

The Wilson County VOAD is beneficial to our community for a number of reasons including: building relationships and trust between organizations and community partners, creating a responsive structure that can be deployed immediately upon disaster, it’s an educational resource to residents of the Nashville community, and more.

Learn more about how we serve.

What resources does Wilson County VOAD provide?

Wilson County VOAD provides non-members and members alike a variety of trainings and guidance documents on our website’s resource center that cover everything from communications to volunteer management. Because of its partnership with the Office of Emergency Management, the Nashville VOAD is equipped with first-hand information regarding disaster response efforts throughout the city.

For survivors of a disaster, Nashville VOAD member organizations can provide resources including food and nutrition, temporary and permanent housing, emotional and spiritual counseling, volunteer recruitment, direct financial assistance, essential items, insurance and FEMA mediation, legal assistance and more.

What is the relationship between the county and VOAD when it comes to disaster response?

The relationship between the Wilson County VOAD and Wilson County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is a critical component to a successful VOAD. Wilson County OEM expertise in disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery is an important resource.

OEM will provide disaster training and education to all VOAD members and is committed to collaborating with the Wilson County VOAD to ensure a coordinated response between the county and the VOAD members.

In addition to the Wilson Cou VOAD’s relationship with OEM, several other disaster preparedness and response partners will help to provide training to our members.

I’m a member of the community, how can I get involved in the Wilson County VOAD?

The best way is to stay connected to volunteer opportunities available in your area. You can offer to volunteer with Wilson County VOAD.

You also can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to keep an eye out for volunteer and donation opportunities, and help share the word on the work and needs of the VOAD.

Can I donate to Wilson County VOAD?

We accept a number of donation types. Visit our donation page for more information!


Membership Questions

Who can be a member of Wilson County VOAD

Wilson County VOAD member organizations represent a diverse group of highly-competent organizations that provide a wide range of skills in service to our fellow neighbors and communities. Member organizations have service-oriented missions and include volunteer engagement as a component of their operations.

Wilson County VOAD members are dedicated to whole community engagement and recognize that the VOAD movement values and practices represent a proven way to build resilient communities.

Our combination of faith-based, community-based, and other nonprofit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) represents hundreds of professional staff and volunteers with unique skills and a resourceful spirit.

We mainly offer services to the community during times of need, can we still apply to join?

Yes, please do! We welcome any agency or organization with an interest and ability to serve the community in times of disaster, regardless of your day-to-day work. An Affiliate Membership may be the most appropriate for your organization.

Learn more about our membership tiers.

What documents do I need to become a member?

All members must sign the Wilson County VOAD Letter of Commitment.

Members that provide resources or services to survivors on an individual or household basis in the aftermath of disaster also sign the Nashville VOAD / Charity Tracker Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

What is Charity Tracker and why does my organization need to sign an MOU?

CharityTracker is a shared database platform that allows organizations that are working on similar goals to coordinate services and streamline referrals to ensure an efficient and effective client/ survivor experience. CharityTracker allows one organization, or the client/ survivor themselves to complete intake. This reduces the amount of trauma and repetition the client would experience by completing this process at multiple organizations. Each organization that uses Charity Tracker is required to sign an MOU to ensure that all client/ survivor data will be held with the upmost confidentiality, computers and networks will be secure to protect this shared data, and all approved organizational users will abide by the confidentiality of such important client information.

Charity Tracker is utilized by Wilson County VOAD members that provide services to survivors on an individual or household basis in the aftermath of a disaster. If your agency or organization does not fall into that category you will not be expected to use it, nor will you have to submit an MOU.

If I was a member last year, do I need to renew this year?

Yes. Every member must recommit to the Wilson County VOAD on an annual basis. This ensures that contact and resource information is up-to-date.

How can I learn more or become a Wilson County VOAD member?

You can learn more about the group and membership options by reaching out to us HERE! Interested organizations are encouraged to reach out.

We also encourage member organizations that can contribute expertise to different aspects of the recovery process to join our Committees (such as Disaster Case Management, Communications, Construction, Preparedness, Training & Engagement committees).

Who can be a partner of Wilson County VOAD?

Wilson County VOAD takes on the approach set forth by the National VOAD: promoting whole-community collaborative relationships and practices throughout the disaster cycle.

We recognize that all sectors of society must work together to foster more resilient, self-reliant neighborhoods. We partner with for-profit corporations, foundations, educational and research institutions, and other governmental agencies.