ReadySunday - September 30, 2012
What would happen if the next big tornado struck on a Sunday morning? Would your church family know what to do? Do you want to inform your congregation on disaster readiness? Teach your house of worship the importance of being ready if a natural or man-made disaster strikes? If so, then join others as we prepare for ReadySunday!
As part of the ReadyAlabama campaign the State of Alabama has created the ReadySunday initiative encouraging faith-based organizations to educate their congregations on how to respond when a man-made or natural disaster strikes.
The ReadySunday program takes place annually during National Preparedness Month. Churches around the state come together to recognize ReadySunday and to provide information to their congregations about how to be prepared.
The first step in disaster preparedness is to be informed and have a plan of what to do in case of a disaster. Fostering awareness in your congregation about potential hazards and having a plan set in place can save time, resources, money, and most importantly lives.
We are encouraging religious leaders to include disaster readiness information in their Sunday bulletins, website or speak on the importance of disaster readiness bringing the congregations attention to the importance of disaster preparedness.
Faith-based organizations play an integral role during disasters in our community. Through the collaboration of faith-based organizations and government agencies, we can work together to educate and empower our communities to prepare before disasters strike.
Dear Faith-Based Leader:
On behalf of ReadyAlabama, Alabama’s emergency preparedness campaign funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, we would like to invite your church family to participate in the seventh annual ReadySunday initiative on September 30, 2012. ReadyAlabama makes it simple and easy for your organization to participate.
ReadySunday is a collaborative effort geared to encourage Alabama’s faith-based organizations and their families to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and churches.
Organizations like yours play an integral role in our community during disasters. Not only will congregation members turn to their faith in times of crisis, but community members will seek out your organization for comfort and support. With the collaboration of faith-based groups and government agencies, we can work together to educate and empower our communities to prepare before disasters strike.
When you participate in ReadySunday, ReadyAlabama will do the work for you! ReadyAlabama offers a free program with resources customized to your organization’s needs, including:
Registering your church as a ReadySunday participant at www.ReadyAlabama.gov and providing you with a downloadable electronic toolkit.
Promoting ReadySunday to your congregation by providing pre-written information for your newsletter, website, e-blasts, bulletin board, and other communication vehicles.
Offering church attendees free family emergency plans and more.
Setting up a ReadySunday table on-site with emergency preparedness materials and a sample disaster kit on display.
We know that the next emergency is coming. We just don’t know when or what kind it will be. But we can prepare now for the next emergency. Our family, friends, church and community depend on it, and ReadySunday provides a compelling reminder to get prepared today!
To get your ReadySunday event started, please visit www.ReadyAlabama.gov or contact Marguerite Long at the contact information provided below.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE READY SUNDAY CHURCH DISASTER PLAN TEMPLATE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A READY SUNDAY BROCHURE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HOPE CRISIS NETWORK CHURCH DISASTER RESPONSE CHECKLIST
We look forward to your participation!
On behalf of ReadyAlabama,
Marguerite Long
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Serve Alabama
Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service
8 Commerce Street, Suite 1000
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-954-7440
