Status Report - 2007

Q. What is the status of Red Nose Response?

A. Red Nose Response is alive and well! In late September 2005, our articles of incorporation were approved by the Georgia Secretary of State and Red Nose Response was incorporated as a nonprofit service organization. We then went to work on completing and filing what is called an IRS Form 1023. That is a tax exempt request to the Internal Revenue Service. This request was granted in early January 2006 and we are now officially a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. This recognition by the IRS allows all those who make donations to Red Nose Response to deduct those contributions on their personal income tax filing with the IRS.

In addition to the exciting news from the IRS, we have also recruited 50 state and regional coordinators, established an extensive responder database, developed relationships with major relief organizations (including a formal agreement with the American Red Cross), begun the development of membership materials and initiated the creation of our orientation and training program. Overall, we have been very busy at all levels of our new organization.

Q. What kind of organization is Red Nose Response going to be?

A. Red Nose Response is a charity/service organization. Simply stated, it will be clowns serving their fellow man in times of crisis caused by disaster.

Q. I first heard about Red Nose Response in September 2005 and it sounded like they were going to make great things happen. I haven't heard much over the last few weeks. What's going on?

A. The initial response to the concept of Red Nose Response was completely unexpected. While the founders of Red Nose Response felt there was a need for such an organization, they had no idea there would be so much interest and support for the idea within the clown arts community. During the first few weeks after our establishment, our primary effort was to determine just what type of organization Red Nose Response would become. The tasks of building a steering committee, developing a mission statement and filing corporate articles of incorporation were then undertaken. Once the steering committee was assembled, the committee members had to define their roles and learn how to work together on this project while developing a common understanding and focus. Additionally, an advisory panel was assembled and put in to place to recommend various courses of action. Things have moved steadily forward. It is wise to remember that the “start up” period of a successful nonprofit service organization is two to three years. The organizers want Red Nose Response to be around for a long time to come. There is an emphasis on getting things done and done right the first time. Taking the time necessary to accomplish that is important.

Q. What is the role of state and regional coordinators?

A. We see our state and regional coordinators as our leaders in the field. Right now, coordinators are building networks of clown contacts interested in Red Nose Response. They are soliciting participation, fostering enthusiasm, encouraging local clowns to get involved in community fundraising and service efforts while supporting the major relief agencies who have responded to the hurricanes, floods and tornadoes we have all been victimized by this past summer and fall. In the future, our coordinators will help us to determine training needs within their areas, recruit new responders, ascertain our organization's response to disasters, while continuing to be the leadership corps in the field.

Q. How many state and regional coordinators are needed?

A. At this point, we would like to have at least two coordinators for each state in the United States. Determining the appropriate number of regional coordinators is a bit more of a challenge. We have regional coordinators in Canada, Latin America, New Zealand and Japan.

Q. What are the requirements to be a regional coordinator?

A. First, and foremost, you have to want to be a coordinator. Self-motivation is very important when taking on such responsibilities. Second, you have to understand that this type of involvement in quite different from your normal clowning efforts. The Red Nose Response effort is focused on service. Red Nose Response is not too concerned about how a clown performs because his or her listening, follow-up and people skills are much more important than his or her public performance skills when dealing with folks who have been victims of a disaster. Finally, a coordinator needs to be quite empathetic.

Q. Who can be a Red Nose Response responder?

A. Anyone who has the heart of a clown.

Q. What is it that responders will be doing?

A. Some responders will be trained and certified to go into temporary shelters to provide comic relief and assistance to the victims of a disaster, the staff of the shelters and even to those who respond to disasters as relief workers. Others will provide general entertainment and support to shelter communities, what we refer to as comic relief. Other responders will work in supporting roles within the major relief agencies, providing administrative and logistical clown power shoulder to shoulder with the agencies’ other corps of volunteers. Still other Red Nose Response responders will help raise funds and awareness within their local communities. There will be a place for every clown who desires to be involved.

Q. I have heard that Red Nose Response will have response teams?

A. In areas of North America that are prone to natural disaster such as fires, floods and hurricanes, it is our desire to have pre-positioned response teams who are trained, certified and can immediately mobilize and respond should their region be touched by disaster. We also expect to have some traveling teams who will be trained, certified and ready to respond to any area of North America touched by disaster. Should a disaster strike, especially in areas where there are no pre-positioned response teams, these traveling teams would be dispatched, arrive on the scene, provide comic relief and assistance while working with and providing guidance to any of the local clowns responding to the disaster.

Q. I have been waiting for press releases and promotional materials. When can I expect to see these materials?

A. Announcements have been and will continue to be made when there is something of substance to report to our responders and the public at large. You will find valuable information in our E-zine and throughout our site. Information currently on the site can be downloaded, copied and distributed to support your local efforts.

Q. I have volunteered to help. What should I be doing?

A. We sincerely appreciate your desire to be a part of our organization. The first thing you can do is approach your local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the United Way or any one of the charities, churches or relief agencies in your community you enjoy working with. Many of these organizations have training programs for their volunteers. Enroll. Take all of the classes that deal with emergency response to natural disasters. (We are currently putting together a list of recommended programs.) There are also many fundraising efforts going on around the country to support the victims of the recent disasters. Get involved in those efforts. If there is nothing going on in your area, initiate your own effort. If you need assistance, let us know. Almost every relief agency reports suffering a money crunch and the average citizen now seems to be suffering donor burnout or fatigue, although charity giving appears to be at an all time high. Anything you can do to provide comic relief and raise some funds will be appreciated by everyone. If you plan to take a class or have completed one, please let us know. In addition, if you are organizing an event, please tell us so we can alert others who might be interested in participating.

Q. What else can I do?

A. Thousands of volunteers have responded to the natural disasters that have touched the country. These volunteers took time off from what they normally do, traveled to the affected areas, many at their own expense, and gave of themselves for a couple of days, a couple of weeks or a couple of months. These folks are in need of some comic relief now that they are back home. Organize an effort to provide comic relief for them. It doesn't need to big or fancy. Get together with your clown friends. Touch base with the local chapters of the responding relief agencies in your area. Make arrangements to bring these volunteers together. Coordinate a coffee break, a lunch or a supper for the volunteers who spent time in the disaster areas. Tell some jokes, perform some skits, twist some balloons, paint some faces, show these responders that they and their efforts are truly appreciated. Make sure they enjoy a good laugh or two. They will feel good, your community at large will feel good and you will feel good. Again, please let us know all of the details before and after the event. Also, take pictures or videos so we can showcase them on our site.

Q. Anything else we can do?

A. The 2006 holiday season highlighted the fact that many of the charities that work directly with children are overwhelmed by the needs of youngsters in the stricken areas. These charity organizations are not seeing the funding levels they need to support the demands that are being made upon them. It is suggested that clowns looking for ways to make a personal contribution contact these organizations and offer their personal clown power. A simple act such as purchasing a toy or two or a book for an upcoming birthday can have a far reaching impact. While an act of comic relief may not be appropriate, the willingness to be involved will be very much appreciated by the agencies and the youngsters of the affected areas.