NYDISnet

Following several years of tremendous growth resulting from the generosity of many grantors and individual donors in support of our numerous readiness, response and recovery initiatives, NYDIS operations have changed dramatically. As most 9/11-related funders have closed their programs, and as the recession has taken hold, the NYDIS board of directors has acted accordingly. Recently, the board took steps to close all full-time operations by the end of November, reducing staff to a small group of consultants and part-time employees to manage operations and essential programs. However, while most current operations are in “hibernation mode,” NYDIS’s member organizations and board of directors have committed to sustaining our capacity to reactivate our operations and coordinate our membership in times of crisis, as well as sustaining the ongoing program of the NYC 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable.

NYDIS launched our new website in November – check it out at www.nydis.org
All NYDIS training curricula are now being provided by the National Disaster Interfaiths Network:

Included are:

Disaster Chaplain Training
Disaster Chaplaincy Training for Trainer Training Certification
Disaster Spiritual Care Worker Training
Disaster Tip Sheets Orientation
Emergency Rest Center Training (for Houses of Worship)
House of Worship Preparedness Training
Ready New York Training
STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Resilience) Seminars

For more information contact:
Ruth Yoder Wenger at 212-669-6100 or rwenger@nydis.org

NYDIS elected a new Board of Directors at the December 15th annual meeting:

President: The Rev. Dr. Charles “Chick” Straut, Jr.
Vice President: Ruth Yoder Wenger
Secretary: Elder Betty C. Jones
Treasurer: Brother Altaj Ilyas
Peter B. Gudaitis

On December 15, 2009 the NYDIS Board amended our By-Laws, our 28 member faith communities and denominations will no longer directly serve on the NYDIS Board, but the members with continue to attend 6 annual membership meetings and annually elect a six member Board of Directors, listed above.

The next issue of NYDISnet will be out on January 12
Consulting & IT Services are also available on a fee for service basis via NYDIS’s parternship with the National Disaster Interfaiths Network, including;

Database Development
Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
Grantwriting & Strategic Planning for Interfaith/Disaster Human Services
Non-Profit Program Development
Interfaith Partnerships Consulting
Website Design and Development

For more information contact:
Peter B. Gudaitis at 212-669-6100 or pgudaitis@nydis.org