FOCCUS is directly responsible to its own Board of Directors. The Board is currently composed of 12 members from the fields of social work, organizational development, academics and law. It is a 100% volunteer organization. No officer or Board member receives compensation.
FOCCUS is a non-membership organization. However, there are two very active FOCCUS groups that foster its mission. One group is in Madison, Wisconsin and the other is in Bethesda, Maryland. Each group has representation on the FOCCUS Board of Directors. Although each group initiates its own agenda, sponsors fund raising and public information activities, and has a voice in how the funds they raise will be distributed to the Centers, the groups are directly responsible to the FOCCUS Board of Directors.
Any individual or group wishing to support the work of FOCCUS may initiate a FOCCUS group in their community in consultation with the FOCCUS Board of Directors.
FOCCUS meets its goal of providing support to the network of Community Centers for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Development by increasing public awareness and understanding of the Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath through lectures, presentations, publicity, displays at public events and presentations to community organizations.
Individual donors make the greatest contribution to FOCCUS activities. In 2002 the individual donor list numbered 180 Community groups are the second largest source of support.
How does FOCCUS help?
Since its inception in 1996, FOCCUS has given more than $100,000 to Community Centers that provide social and community development services to people affectedn by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. FOCCUS has also provided pro bono consultation, training sessions and study tours to the United States for Community Center staff.
Through its academic and professional affiliations, FOCCUS is committed to leadership and excellence in providing information about the scope of the Chernobyl disaster, its effects and ways to improve the lives of the people impacted by its aftermath. FOCCUS has organized a university course, public forums and an international study tour of Chernobyl-affected areas.
FOCCUS is also active in supporting respite programs for children affected by Chernobyl. Working with churches, public school teachers and university faculty and students, FOCCUS works to connect American children with young people from Chernobyl in innovative and mutually enriching ways. A recognized leader in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery effort, FOCCUS was the recipient of the 2003 Rhoda G. Sarnat International Award and the U.S. Department of State Millennium International Volunteer Award. They have also just recently received A "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition" presented to FOCCUS in Washington D.C. on April 27, 2006 "in recognition of outstanding humanitarian work to aid children affected by the Chernobyl disaster".
