January 21, 2026 Annual Meeting

Original May 2023

Proposed

Redlined

Commentary

The proposed Consensus of Engagement updates and strengthens the expectations for TGCRVOAD Members and Partners by expanding on several themes that were only implied in the 2023 version. The new document introduces explicit commitments to digital collaboration platforms like Aid.Arena establishes clear expectations for safeguarding sensitive information and adds proactive “blue-sky” readiness actions—such as training, exercises, and planning—that were not included originally. It also incorporates updated operational accountability practices, including structured situational reporting, deployment check-in/check-out procedures, and daily SitRep submissions during activations, thereby aligning more closely with emergency management partners and established VOAD best practices. Additionally, the revised version commits to volunteer credentialing systems, ensuring Member organizations maintain vetted, prepared personnel for coordinated deployment—an expectation absent from the 2023 document.

The revision also removes several outdated or redundant administrative requirements. References to the Membership Directory, current contact listings, and the AlertMedia system have been removed or generalized to apply across all collaboration methods, making the document platform-agnostic and more adaptable over time. The nondiscrimination commitments, previously expressed in two separate bullets, have been consolidated into a single, clearer statement. Furthermore, the updated document clarifies expectations regarding avoiding self-deployment and emphasizes alignment with emergency management authorities—areas not explicitly addressed in the original. Overall, the updated Consensus of Engagement presents a more current, operationally relevant, and readiness-focused framework for VOAD participation.

Original

Proposed

Redlined

Commentary

Changes to the ByLaws: 

• Change the name of the Response Coordination Meeting to Collaboration Conference Call (Article V. D);
• Update Committee responsibilities (mostly grammatical changes) (Article VII.C);
• Establish a Volunteer Committee (Article VII.C. 6);
• Change the name of the Steering Committee to the Program Steering Committee;
• Allow a single Member to have up to two members on the Executive Committee;
• Add the Chief Meteorologist as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Executive Committee; and
• Change references to Functions in Disaster to refer to our Standard Operating Procedures.

Aid.Arena

SWOT Analysis and 2026 Goals

Slides