Many CERT members know Steve Kaufman by volunteering alongside him in hundreds of CERT events over the past few years. During those long hours together, Steve has learned to understand the needs of the organization. From serving in Outreach and Training to Operations and Go-Team, as well as serving as Chief Operator of CERT 700, Steve has advocated for CERT to acquire additional funding for supplies and materials, so that volunteers no longer have to spend personal funds to support CERT missions.
Steve also believes that serving and volunteering his time in CERT is about going above and beyond. He has also had the privilege of being included in management level meetings with multiple other local, state and national organizations such as OEMHS, The National Red Cross and MCFRS LFRD’s. This helps CERT strengthen their relationship with these other entities and assist the CERT program with obtaining resources and materials.
Steve remarks that “You can’t fully understand the needs of the organization until you’ve been in the classrooms, been in the heat of summer and cold of winter or deployed in the dark of night, and I have been there”.
He also stated that “To me being Treasurer isn’t just about the money, it’s about all of you, being able to represent you as volunteers from a Board level, to understand your needs as well as the organizations and working to see those needs fulfilled”.