Mission and Purpose
Southwest Louisiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (SWLA VOAD) is a humanitarian association of local community voluntary organizations in the Southwest Louisiana Region. The service area includes Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes.
The mission of SWLA VOAD is to foster efficient, streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort, through cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration in the four phases of disaster: preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Through partnerships with other member organizations, faith-based organizations, and local, state, or federal authorities, SWLA VOAD is able to help diminish the immediate and ongoing trauma that occurs in the wake of disaster and catastrophe.
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
– VOTING MEMBER
May be granted to organizations/entities with a commitment of resources to meet the needs of the
people of Southwest Louisiana, have a staffed office in Southwest Louisiana and meet the following
qualifications:
• A 501(c)3 non-profit entity in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State
• Actively serving people in Southwest Louisiana
• Have a staffed office in Southwest Louisiana in any of the following parishes:
Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron or Jefferson Davis
• Have resources that are made available to Southwest Louisiana during a disaster
• Coordinates a volunteer effort to assist during a time of disaster
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
– NON-VOTING MEMBER
May be granted to certain types of civic groups and government agencies with PROOF of a commitment of resources to meet the needs of the people of Southwest Louisiana during a disaster.