Are you looking to:

Recertify your ERT badge

Lead an Early Response Team

Lead a VIM disaster recovery team

Develop a Disaster Response Care Team

Serve on a District Disaster Response committee

Engage your church in local disaster response ministries

All of these opportunities are available to you at the NYAC Disaster Response Forum on April 22, at the Conference Center, 9 AM to 4 PM
 
Please see the NYAC website Missions/Disaster Response/Training Events for more information and register to indicate a preference for one of the breakout sessions.
Contact Tom Vencuss tvencuss@nyac.com for more information or with questions.   
 

Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care "Basic" Training 
Saturday, April 29  9 AM to 4 PM  NYAC Conference Center

This seven-hour training provides an overview for the development of Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care Teams. UMCOR-trained Disaster Response “Care Teams” are faith-based, ongoing teams with standardized training that provide spiritual and emotional care before, during, following, and ‘in-between” disasters.
Working closely with their Annual Conference and District Disaster Response Ministries, “Care Teams” help survivors and others connect with spiritual, emotional, and basic life resources.
We will provide light breakfast foods, beverages, and snacks throughout the event. Please bring a bag lunch to allow for a working-lunch.
Please register now.  
Contact Wendy Vencuss wvencuss@gmail.com for more information or with questions. 

Disaster Response Ministry Camp Work Days

Calling all ERTs, Long Term Recovery volunteers, DESC-trained personnel  –  join us for a work day at either Camp Quinipet (Saturday, April 29)  or Camp Olmsted (Saturday, May 13). During the day we will put our disaster response and general skills to work, assisting with projects and helping to prepare the camps for their summer programs. The camps will be hosting us and providing meals so there is no cost to volunteers.
Projects at Quinipet will include:

• painting the gazebo
• establishing a garden w/fencing
• replacing knee wall around outdoor patio
• building cubbies (plywood storage units) for 2 cabins

Projects at Olmsted will include:

• setting up 3 tents
• rebuilding a deck on a cabin
• painting
• general woodwork repair

If you can assist please contact Tom Vencuss tvencuss@nyac.com or 860-324-1424 so that we can plan accordingly.

(Re)organized to Respond – District Based Disaster Response Teams

We often say that all disasters are local; ultimately, a local community owns its disaster and recovery. The most effective response is local as well. Toward this, we are working to re-establish strong District-based Response Teams (committees).
Tom Vencuss is looking to schedule organizational meetings on each district in the coming months. The following meetings are in place:
NY/CT: April 6, Mount Kisco UMC, 7 to 8:30 PM
CT: April 18, Seymour UMC, 7 to 8:30 PM
Persons interested in being a part of these discussions are encouraged to contact Tom at tvencuss@nyac.com or 860-324-1424.