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Getting Started: Action Steps Checklist

The checklist of possible action steps below follows the basic outline of this particular technical assistance topic. It is important to remember that these are only suggestions. They serve as a quick reference guide to stimulate your thoughts of the complexities you may face in your Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit. You may choose to follow a different approach. If so, the Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps welcomes your best practices.

Assessing Your Local Situation

Determine how your MRC volunteers can supplement existing medical emergency and public health response efforts in your area.

Conducting a Risk and Needs Assessment

Consider the specific medical and public health-related risks and needs that affect your community.
Interview potential response partners and other community organizations to learn more about their work and where they see needs for volunteer support.
Identify some possible approaches to these risks and needs that will involve your MRC volunteers.
Begin with what you know best about your community; you do not have to address all issues immediately. Your MRC’s contribution can grow over time.

Considering the Components

Maintain a vision of the overall picture continuously, regardless of whether or not you can address multiple issues simultaneously. You will be better prepared to address your next challenge.
Explore ways to coordinate with local response partners.
Consider what your volunteers will need to develop capabilities and commitment to your MRC.
List the things you will need to establish and maintain a strong administrative organization. Which resources will you require to sustain your MRC?

Developing a Draft Plan

Draft a plan that addresses the key points and revise if necessary.
Include a mission statement, objectives, an action plan, an organizational chart, and a budget.
List potential response partners and other organizations that might be willing to champion your MRC. Who can you rely on?
Note any ongoing issues that will require advocacy (e.g., liability protection for volunteers, integrating MRC volunteers into existing systems, credential verification procedures, etc.)

Securing Broad-based Community Support

Seek support from others in your community regarding your vision for the MRC, as you cannot achieve it alone.

Negotiating With Response Partners

Identify partners with a shared mission or who are engaged in work that complements what your MRC volunteers can provide.
Ensure that your MRC activities do not conflict with other organizations’ domains. Negotiate workable compromises.
Agree to collaborate, even if the details have not been addressed yet.
Obtain letters of intent and use them to continue building your network.
Continue communicating with the prospects that are more difficult to cultivate. It can take time for them to understand the MRC’s role in any community. Keep the conversations moving forward.

Enlisting Champions for Your Medical Reserve Corps

Identify champions who will actively support your MRC.
Approach local government officials, corporations, other private-sector businesses, prominent individuals, or leaders in your community for letters of support. Use them to continue building your network.
Continue communicating with the prospects that are more difficult to cultivate. It can take time for them to understand the MRC’s role in any community Keep the conversations moving forward.

Matching Resources to Operational Needs

Determine how to acquire the necessary resources to establish your MRC.

Developing Monetary Resources

Apply to grant programs (national and local foundations, state and Federal government programs, and corporate charitable offices).
Appeal directly to donors through mail or by personal contact.
Plan special fundraising events.
Ask a fundraising specialist for help with determining which activities will be the most effective in your community.
Ask your response partners if they have access to funds that might be applied to cover the contributions made by your MRC.
Inform your response partners and community champions what you need financially so they can direct you to other sources.

Soliciting In-Kind Donations

Identify resources attainable through direct gifts.
Include office space, office equipment, a computer, software, programming and other support services, media placement, communications materials, etc., in your list.
Inform your response partners and community champions of what you need so they can direct you to possible donors.

Seeking Specialty Expertise

Identify the time-limited expertise that would help establish your MRC.
Ask for help if you do not know how to do something. Many people are willing to help a worthy cause.
Inform your response partners and community champions whose expertise you need so they can direct you to their contacts.

Optimizing Strategic Partnerships

Clarify the benefit your MRC volunteers bring to others, particularly to your response partners.
Determine which resources or expertise your partners have that they might be willing to share or give to you for free or at a low cost.
Assess whether partners will share training, access to legal and other expertise, office space or other administrative resources, the ability to conduct verification of credentials or background checks for volunteers, etc.

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Last Updated on 12/12/2007