Lord Krishna in the 21st Century
Chapter 21 - More About Joining NOVAD
My original draft of this book continues.... To further facilitate a smooth relationship with NVOAD and setting the stage for an even more effective role during disasters, each temple across America should have their temple president and/or Food For Life director attend one of NVOAD's monthly meetings that are held at the state VOAD level. Large states like California have two state VOADs.
These meetings are held at the different facilities owned by the various groups that make up NVOAD. For example, I once attended a meeting held at a Seventh-Day Adventist hospital. Later we were all treated to a vegetarian lunch in their cafeteria.
ISKCON's network of Food For Life already exists and this same network can be plugged into these NVOAD meetings. Prasadam cookies can be brought to these functions and many valuable friendships made.
For instance, I once met the Fire Chief from a small town in the mountains above Colorado Springs. Years ago his wife had known devotees and had enjoyed prasadam when she was going to college. To surprise her I brought her some maha-prasadam. The point is that thousands of friends like these are waiting to be made.
At Krishna Disaster Relief's headquarters, it should receive feedback on all these monthly meetings and detailed records of these events maintained. Concerning these meetings, you may ask, "but don't we need to be invited?" Well, not really. Once Krishna Disaster Relief's has its non-profit status (now pending and should be received by September 2025), then Krishna Disaster Relief can reach out to any of the state VOAD office and simply start attending. All that is needed is a self-introduction, indicating that Krishna Disaster Relief would like to attend. (From our Corporate Office we can supply the proper introductory documentation and reference material).
The important point is that every monthly meeting must be attended in as many states as possible. Two Krishna Disaster Relief members should attend. If for some reason both of them can't make a meeting, then at least one can attend. Attendance must be there.
Besides these monthly VOAD meetings, occasionally various disaster drills are staged. A few years ago in San Antonio a huge earthquake drill was staged involving all kinds of people and equipment. Again, this would be an excellent opportunity to distribute prasadam, make friends, and learn how the system works.
Just after founding Krishna Disaster Relief I was invited to attend such a drill in Denver. I got to meet many of the city leaders. The mayor was there and they all loved the cookies I brought. These drills are also covered by the news and Krishna Disaster Relief would get some very good press by participating.
Attending these various functions are very important. Our presence will give Krishna Disaster Relief credibility and improve our overall reception and response to actual disasters.
NVOAD, FEMA and the American Red Cross also sponsor meetings for the managers of different disaster-relief agencies where most of the CEO's of these organizations attend. Krishna Disaster Relief needs its CEO. (Note: The corporate by-laws for Krishna Disaster Relief have already been approved. The term and position of CEO is better suited for profit-oriented corporations. Basically the same thing, Krishna Disaster Relief has a President, along with 4 other board of directors.)
Since this is a blueprint for the success and fulfillment of Shrila Prabhupada's dream, Krishna Disaster Relief should attend every type of meeting offered. As far as attending these meetings, if the President of Krishna Disaster Relief cannot attend, then one of its board members should attend, reporting back to Krishna Disaster Relief on what took place.
I mentioned that every year (in January) there is a meeting of NVOAD's full membership. Besides attending, Krishna Disaster Relief should present NVOAD with a donation to help assist with their administrative costs. Let them know that we are a team player. This isn't required and doesn't have to be a huge sum of money, but again, you are reading a blueprint for success and this small donation should be given to NVOAD yearly. When I attended I gave Mr. Baines $200 and you can see NVOAD's recognition and appreciation for this in the letter above.
Finally, another program that Krishna Disaster Relief should participate in involves some courses on natural disasters. They cover all aspects of disaster relief and are offered by the United States government. Near Washington there is even a special campus that has been established for this very purpose. The details about this can be obtained from NVOAD (ASAP this information can be on this website: see Disaster Relief Training on our menu). Graduating from this school or a different college, the President of Krishna Disaster Relief would bring to it the kind of credentials that would help transform the "paper tiger" into something we can all be very proud of.
Two years after Krishna Disaster Relief was founded I was doing everything I could for Prabhupada's mission, such as maintaining my connection with NOVAD: correspondence, friendship and even giving them a donation. As you can see from this letter they were welcoming Krishna Disaster Relief to join NOVAD, offering us that valuable"stage pass" I wrote about. At this time, after 5 years as a full-time devotee, I still considered myself and Krishna Disaster Relief part of ISKCON. However, as I have explained, this vital part of my blueprint remained missing and sadly I had to approach Mr. Bobby Baines and ask for more time. Now it 2025.