Citizen Corps Councils

Council Profiles and Resources

Strategies for Success: Advice from the Profiled Councils

To complement the guidance provided in Citizen Corps: A Guide for Local Officials, the Citizen Corps Councils profiled here provide their shared view of what it takes to bring Citizen Corps to life and on what success really takes—in action steps, attitude, leadership and support. While these Councils have all taken slightly different approaches toward the Citizen Corps mission, they agree on some basic tips put forth here.

We hope the experiences of these Councils will help others to develop an action plan to get started or to enhance activities already underway!

Don’t reinvent the wheel. While some of these Councils began from an existing organization with a similar mission, a common theme to all is the value of drawing on existing local resources. Each of these Councils underscore the importance of using what is already available in the community and coordinating and leveraging those services and programs for greater effectiveness.

Conduct an inventory of community leaders, civic organizations, and ongoing initiatives that already participate in community safety education, training, and volunteer service
Get connected with the local and state emergency management agencies to learn about existing emergency operations plans for the jurisdiction
Reach out to other organizations that work with disasters
Maintain contacts and engage those who are already active in the Citizen Corps mission
Participate in state emergency exercises
If just getting started, consider recruiting a team of 3-5 people do conduct the initial research and planning for the Council

Obtain and maintain broad community representation. It is crucial to solicit the “buy-in” of the jurisdiction’s residents, businesses, officials, and service providers and to identify their role in the strategic plan of the Council – bringing all residents together through the shared goal of a safer community.

Tap interpersonal relationships
Explain the benefits of Citizen Corps to constituents groups in ways that are relevant for them
Have a “kick off” event
Utilize a broad range of community forums (retirement homes, block watch meetings, businesses, etc.), brochures, displays, and public service announcements to educate people about Citizen Corps
Recruit academic institutions and other community cornerstones
Prepare materials in multiple languages
Be open-minded
Create a single point of contact to obtain information

Obtain support from local elected officials. Local elected officials are the most visible advocates for the Council. Their support can raise public awareness and attract the attention of state and federal government officials and citizens. Elected official support can also accelerate the development of a Citizen Corps Council and help sustain it.

Meet one-on-one with elected officials
Coordinate with existing, related committees or advisory boards to the local elected official(s)
Discuss ways for the elected official to have a public role in promoting the Citizen Corps activities and the citizen preparedness message
Have the Citizen Corps mission included in official documents, including executive orders, proclamations, etc.

Be mindful of turf issues. A number of established organizations are already operating throughout our nation to plan against natural disasters and other emergencies. Successful Citizen Corps Councils recognize the value that such an organization has already provided to the community and does not usurp that role but complements it with the broader context of the Council’s mission. It is strongly recommended that Citizen Corps Councils work with these organizations to avoid duplication of efforts, address any concerns, and obtain their enthusiastic participation.

Research your community and its politics
Engage the leaders of existing organizations in discussions about what the Council will bring to complement, but not compete with, the good work already being done by existing organizations
If necessary, develop a partnership agreement or Memorandum of Understanding to distinguish roles and responsibilities
Recognize and articulate that partnership does not exclude maintaining individual organizational identity
Develop a strategy for joint sponsorship of materials

Have a clear mission of community safety. Successful Councils develop a clear mission of community safety and security and have articulated a list of principles to guide the Council

Involve members/stakeholders in articulating a mission statement and goals
Post the mission statement in a stationary meeting place
Establish specific contact information for the Council (create an identity)
Create a Council structure and its components, including by-laws or other guidelines
Fully develop volunteer opportunities prior to beginning recruitment

Have a Financial Plan. Successful Councils have tapped a wide range of resources to support their efforts (e.g., recruitment, planning, training, public education, materials dissemination, technology), but the one thing in common is that each successful Council actively addresses the need for resources.

Do not rely solely on federal funding, e.g., Homeland Security/Citizen Corps grants or other competitive grants
Identify a non-profit agency who can apply for grants on behalf of the Council
Brainstorm on what in-kind resources are needed and find donors
Be open to and seek all types of support (e.g., private, non-profits, local government agencies, foundations)
Be sure to keep good financial records of all related expenditures

Know the community. Successful Councils build on existing community strengths and address the specific preparedness and safety needs of that community.

Conduct systematic needs assessments
Seek and obtain input from special needs populations (e.g., elderly, physically or mentally disabled, non-English speakers, low-income)
Develop specific outreach tools and events to reach all sectors of the community, including faith-based groups, schools, businesses, homeowner’s associations, and special needs groups.

Address liability concerns. Successful Councils not only appreciate the benefits of engaging citizens in their own safety planning and disaster preparedness, but they also plan for the reality of liability concerns.

Review or pursue Good Samaritan legislation
Provide sufficient training for volunteers
Be sure citizens understand the scope of their training
Solicit and address liability concerns raised by first responders
Jointly engage citizen volunteers and first responders in mock scenarios or tabletop exercises

Institute a volunteer management system. Whether automated or not, a volunteer management system is essential to ensure ready access to volunteers when they are most needed and coordinating volunteer activities to support the overall mission of the Council.

Develop volunteer programs and advertise them
Develop a structure so that anyone can volunteer
Track volunteer skills and qualifications in an easy to access format for retrieval during an emergency

Have well-respected local champions. Leaders who are committed to the mission of Citizen Corps and who can motivate citizens to take action are critical for success. Be sure your champions also have the time to commit to a sustained campaign!

Find and secure champions with charisma and a passion for the cause, good public speaking skills, and who are respected, organized, good facilitators and have time to give
Have spokespersons for designated segments of the community –they should appropriately represent and can speak to the segment identified.
Support these champions with media interviews and public speaking engagements

Maintain momentum. Clearly, after the terrorist events of 2001, community concern about safety and preparing against natural and manmade disasters skyrocketed. That concern fueled volunteerism. Successful Citizen Corps Councils defeat complacency and sustain community interest and involvement in building stronger communities, even without a seemingly imminent threat.

Involve all volunteers in ongoing, meaningful, community-building activities
Regularly communicate with stakeholders, members, and/or volunteers through a newsletter or other communication tool
Build a continuing education component (e.g., CERT, first aid, search techniques)
Build a volunteer awards/recognition component
Maintain a user-friendly Website with relevant and up-to-date information
Track volunteer contributions to be able demonstrate the value of their efforts
Openly share information including school, business, and community emergency preparedness plans.

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