The Catawba County Citizen Corps Council received a grant to host a one-day seminar. The seminar is scheduled for February 1, 2008 from 7:45 am – 4:00 pm and will be held at the Piedmont Center at Holiday Inn Select, on Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard at Highway 70 SE in Hickory.

The seminar is open to anyone and will focus on programs available to assist you and the community in the event of a disaster. The seminar is offered at no cost to the attendees and a complimentary lunch will be provided. The seminar is limited to 60 attendees.

Guest speakers and their topics include:

Faye Stone, Deputy Executive Director – Office of the Governor, NC Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service will speak on the importance of volunteering during/after disasters and on Citizen Corps. Faye will also conduct an exercise demonstrating a volunteer reception center after a disaster.

Cathy Henry, NC Community Emergency Response Team, CERT Program Manager, will explain the CERT Program.

Sarah L. Godshall, Outreach Coordinator of the Volunteers in Police Service Program will explain the benefits and how to assist with this program.

Deputy Marcella McCombs, Crime Prevention Officer of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department, will review the Neighborhood Watch Program.

Anita A. Knight, Manager of Emergency Services Institute and Special Operations at WakeMed Health & Hospitals, will address the purpose, value, role, and structure of Medical Reserve Corps programs, including how to start and sustain an MRC long-term.

Dr. Melody Prevatte, Director of Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at Southeastern Community College, will share lessons learned after a tornado ripped through Columbus County early one morning in November, 2006.

For more information or to RSVP for this seminar, contact Tammy Dotson at 828-324-4357 or tdotson@ccunitedway.com by January 23rd.