about us



Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster consists of voluntary organizations with disaster relief roles, in partnership with state government.

VOAD functions may include animal control, building repair, child care, clean up, clothing, communication, counseling, damage assessment, disaster welfare inquiry, financial assistance, food, human relations, mass care, sheltering, transportation, volunteer staffing, and warehousing and bulk distribution.

We are a member of the larger family of state VOADS, under a national umbrella; NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)

We operate as a member organization under established by-laws.
Our Mission: Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, Collaboration in Disaster Response

To encourage more effective service delivery to people affected by disasters.

We share our national organizations goals;

[to be] the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle—preparation, response and recovery—to help disaster survivors and their communities.

ORVOAD member organizations work together and serve through:

  • Cooperation - a climate of cooperation at all levels to provide sharing of information.
  • Coordination - coordinates policy among member organizations and serves as the state liaison, advocate, and voice to the national VOAD.
  • Technical Assistance - provides training to members to increase awareness and preparedness for each organization.
  • Mitigation - supports the disaster response efforts of federal, state, and local agencies and government.
  • Outreach and Education - encourages the participation of agencies throughout the state, encourages the formation of county VOADs, gives guidance to state and regional volunteer organizations active in disaster response, and supports appropriate legislation.
  • Convening - conducts seminars, board meetings, conferences, and training programs.

Subpages (1): our by-laws