Local Leaders and Volunteers Encouraged to Join Starke County COAD

Posted on August 4, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

If you’re looking for a way to get more involved in your community, you should consider joining the Starke County COAD.

The group will be meeting this coming week on Tuesday, August 7th in order to coordinate more about local efforts.

Starke County COAD, or Community Organizations Active in Disaster, aims to encourage collaboration among local residents and officials in order to strengthen the community to be better prepared for disaster response and recovery.

Some projects that have been considered during the first few meetings include assisting first responders with food and water when they respond to incidents that require a lot of time and effort as well as partnering with the Red Cross on a fire-safety initiative that would provide residents with smoke alarms.

Another matter that was discussed at the last meeting was the development of an official board that could consist of a chair and co-chair, as well as a secretary and treasurer. Starke County EMA Director J. Nier has been facilitating the creation of COAD but said ultimately, it is meant to be run by community members.

The board members would be in charge of delegating volunteer responsibilities as well as organizing various response efforts and potential fundraisers. Whoever fills the treasurer’s position would need to have some experience working with charities, as they would assist with establishing a 501 C-3 status for the organization.

Individuals with a passion for leadership and drive to provide assistance in Starke County are encouraged to reach out to EMA Director Nier to indicate that they would like to serve as a member of the board.

Tuesday’s COAD meeting will take place in the Purdue Extension Office board room at 5:30 p.m. The office is located in the lower level of the Starke County Annex Building # 2, the building that previously served as the Starke County Jail.

Like the Starke County COAD page on Facebook for more details. If you have any questions, Director Nier can be reached by phone at 772-9182 or by email at jmnier@co.starke.in.us.