Mission
WIVOAD is a humanitarian association of independent voluntary organizations active in all phases of disaster. Our mission is to foster efficient, streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort, through cooperation in the five phases of disaster: planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
WIVOAD is a network for organizations active in disaster. Each WIVOAD participant organization maintains its own identity and independence while closely collaborating with other WIVOAD participant organizations at the local, state, and federal levels.
WIVOAD accomplishes its mission by adhering to the following principles:
- Cooperation: Foster cooperation among WIVOAD participant organizations at all levels and in all phases of disaster.
- Coordination: Coordinate services among WIVOAD participant organizations. WIVOAD may also provide links to national and international disaster relief organizations. WIVOAD serves as an advocate and liaison between participant organizations and the State of Wisconsin.
- Communication: Exchange and disseminate information among WIVOAD participant organizations, the public, as well as local, state, and federal agencies.
- Collaboration: Act to help organizations develop and form partnerships prior to, and during, disaster response to maximize the use of limited resources and reduce duplication of services.
- Education: Provide training to increase awareness, preparedness, and long-term recovery.
- Leadership Development: Provide volunteer leaders training and support the development of state VOAD organizations, local VOADs, and long-term recovery committees.
- Mitigation: Support the efforts of federal, state, and local agencies.
- Outreach: Encourage the formation of local VOADs and long-term recovery committees. Encourage participation by existing VOAD member organizations and recruit new organizations to affiliate with WIVOAD.