Emergency Information Council gets 501(c)3 nonprofit status

NONPROFIT NEWS

The Leisure World Emergency Information Council (EIC), a communitybased organization whose purpose is to inform and encourage emergency preparedness, has been granted full IRS 501(c)3 charity status.

This new status allows much needed donations to be made directly to the EIC to help with duplication and distribution expenses. In addition, the volunteer-led organization has also been incorporated in the State of California as a public benefit nonprofit corporation.

The EIC began as an independent informal organization founded in 2017 by concerned residents who wanted to make sure that information and materials about disaster preparedness were readily available to residents. The group also fosters volunteerism for the purpose of self-reliance during emergency incidents and disasters. The EIC is composed of volunteer LWers who are drawn from the 16 homeowners associations.

The EIC compiles and makes available information about emergency management response and preparedness planning through the publication of booklets and pamphlets. It also works to develop and publish disaster response plans and sponsor activities and events, mainly within the Leisure World.

Several years ago, the council published and distributed the “On Your Own” Emergency Preparedness Guide, which was sent to all LW households. The group is also responsible for the “Go Bag” flyer detailing what people need to have ready in case of an evacuation. A largely unseen accomplishment has been the “Boots On the Ground” disaster response guide that organizes local clubs into a coordinated responsive effort of neighbor helping neighbor in the event of an emergency disaster.

Most recently, the EIC helped to plan GRF’s Emergency Preparedness Expo, which brought residents the latest information in emergency preparedness through vendors and discussions of topics like solar power, emergency medication, gobags, pet preparation and more.

The EIC is actively recruiting residents to join in their activities to prepare and distribute emergency preparedness information, develop preparedness skills and guides, and to find new ways to promote community resilience in the face of adversity.

The next EIC meeting will be held in Building 5, Conference Room B, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in person or on Zoom. Contact eloyg@lwsb.com for the meeting link.