spiritual / emotional

Spiritual/Emotional Committee best practices advice

Get ready before the crisis: Both religious leaders and mental health professionals have roles to play after a disaster. Select committee members who can represent diverse backgrounds. Pastors know their people; health providers know community and government resources. Take some time to develop those relationships now and your community will benefit later.

Communicate quickly: There are a lot of different ways to reach people, from mass media to flyers on front doors. Work with your communications committee to get solid information to your community. Become the go-to place for the facts: phone numbers, resources, meeting places.

If you can, get out in front of social media ASAP, even though it means keeping an eye out 24/7. Head off unfounded rumors that waste needed energy and cause unnecessary anxiety.

In Washington, for example, the slogan Washington Strong was blasted everywhere almost immediately. (Not by us.) Eventually that slogan was phased out because it had proved polarizing. Some were bolstered by it. Others felt threatened. Think carefully about the impact of your message.

Be patient: Make yourself available immediately, but expect to repeat your message many times. Be persistent, but low-key. Don't push. Finding food and shelter comes first. It may take weeks or months before those affected in a disaster have the time to consider their emotional or spiritual needs. They won't all come at once. Devise a multi-layer strategy for the long haul.

Keep it simple: People involved in a disaster are overwhelmed. It's tough enough to work, raise kids, run a household, take part in the community. Add paperwork, insurance, new routes to work or school, replacing everything you own, consulting with contractors. . . You may mean well by setting up an event; they may not have the time or energy to attend. Avoid event fatigue. Listen carefully. Meet the needs you hear.