-This article appears in the Sept/Oct 2020 edition of the Pleasant Hill Outlook.

Did you know you have a CERT Area Coordinator? Everyone in Pleasant Hill has one. CERT divides the city into four Areas: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast (you can see the areas at pleasanthillcert.org/maps.) In a disaster, CERT members who live in the area are deployed to help as needed. Each area has a volunteer coordinator who makes sure we are always ready to go.

Welcome, Sherry!

Q: How long have you been with CERT? How long have you been an Area Coordinator?

Sherry: I’ve been with CERT since November 2009 and a coordinator since 2011 or 2012. I have had the privilege of serving with
co-coordinators from time to time, including Horace Marks, Jeff Thomas, Pam and Wayne Mosher and currently Marievita Lowe.

Q: Tell us what you do as an Area Coordinator.

Sherry: I try to keep in contact with members of the NE area, with news and practice of CERT skills. Currently Marievita is editing and authoring a newsletter for area members. A coordinator arranges periodic meetings with members and keeps the roster of the area up to date. I keep track of supplies for the area and meet periodically with the CERT Steering Committee. I also help with city-wide programs and drills.

Q: What do you like best about the job?

Sherry: My favorite part is having the area meetings and practicing skills with members.

Q: How has the pandemic affected the work you do?

Sherry: The pandemic has put a stop to in-person get-togethers. We recently had a ZOOM meeting and felt good about it, although not many people joined in. We will try again in September, if we can’t have an in-person gathering. We would like to have members come to inspect the new Conex supply container located in our rally area and serve hot dogs, if we can maintain social distancing.

Q: Dream big: What would make the NE Area soar to great heights?

Sherry: Get people more involved! Unfortunately, soon after people have finished training, they lose interest in keeping up with area meetings, training refreshers and get-togethers. It can be very disheartening.

Q: Any parting words?

Sherry: I have enjoyed working with my fellow coordinators and with the steering Committee members. Jim Bonato deserves big thanks for starting the program and keeping it going. Being a member of CERT has given me a better view of and desire to be involved with my community.