The NonProfit Times - August 1, 2008 - (Page 30)

TRAVEL DON MCNAMARA Lost: The Donors Satellite phone needed to find ecotourists T he catastrophic earthquake that hit China in early May proved to be of compelling interest to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for many reasons. First, of course, was the fact that thousands of people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands more were displaced in a tragedy of near-incalculable propor- tions that captured the world’s attention. Of special interest to the WWF was the fact that the quake threatened a certain form of wildlife, pandas, in the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan province. The condition of pandas briefly took a back seat in the minds of WWF officials, however, because 12 American ecotourists and two Chinese volunteers were in the area during the quake.The group was visiting the panda breeding facility in the Wolong Nature Reserve when the earthquake struck. For two days, nobody at WWF’s world headquarters in Washington, D.C., was able to establish contact with the group or learn anything about its fate. Once word did reach headquarters, officials there The concept behind Callcenter Software for Non-proﬁts Whether you measure productivity by contacts-per-hour, dollars-per-hour, pledges-per-hour, or any other metric, DialVision gives you the ultimate combination of maximized performance and ﬂexibility. DialVision is web-based, so you can support multiple call centers or remote callers. Rent DialVision and we’ll host it on our servers, or you can purchase the system. Our expert support staff can manage the technology, and is here to help 24x7 – allowing you to focus on your campaigns. It’s fast and ﬁscally brilliant. Contact Tracy Jones today at 888-666-6347 ext 101. You’ll see that it’s not rocket science!! MoonFire Corporation | 888.666.6347 | www.DialVision.com/NPT knew that everyone in the group, including the volunteers, reached safety, and all were in good health. The combination of widespread disaster and travelers being in a remote area meant that WWF headquarters was not able to establish any contact with the group for two days. “They were totally knocked out, there was no cell phone capability,” said Kerry Green Zobor,WWF’s media representative for travel and tourism, referring to the travelers’ communications capabilities. “Our office in World Wildlife Fund China was able to contact a regional office in Chengdu, and staff in that office were able to contact field staff in that area. Field staff were able to look for our people and then relay a message and get word back, using a satellite phone.” WWF also stayed in touch with the relatives of the travelers, informing them as soon as it had any information to keep them updated. The earthquake hit on a Monday (May 12), and WWF finally received word about the travelers on Wednesday. The status of the two Chinese volunteers was unknown for two more days. “The two Chinese volunteers were located, and they were safe,” Zobor said.“We had definite word of their safety by that Friday. They were not with the group (by that time) and were working in the area, so it took a little longer to locate them.” The trip was part of WWF’s travel program that is open to members and the general public. The WWF provides tourists with a first-hand look at wildlife and unspoiled habitat in many areas throughout the world. Trips can be arranged according to prospective travelers’ interest in destination, activity or animal species. Zobor said the travel program has been operational for approximately 25 years and that the organization offers between 30 and 40 trips a year. Approximately 500 people take these trips in any given year. “This trip (to China) is offered every year and is one of our most popular because it’s a wonderful trip,” she added.“It’s not only the Wolong Nature Reserve.They see pandas but also major cultural sights.” In addition to the health of its travelers,WWF also tried to stay in touch regarding the pandas in the area. “When the earthquake hit I understand that staff at the Wolong Nature Reserve gathered up baby pandas and put them in a ticket office where they were sheltered and safe,” Zobor said. Zobor said that the 12 travelers have felt drained by the entire experience and did not wish to talk any more about it, preferring to put it behind them. None were made available for interview. She said there is no fear that the experience will jeopardize future WWF ecotours. “Our trips are booked through the rest of the year, and I’m sure this one will continue to be very popular.” NPT 30 AUGUST 1, 2008 THE NONPROFIT TIMES www.nptimes.com http://www.DialVision.com/NPT http://www.DialVision.com/NPT http://www.nptimes.com

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The NonProfit Times - August 1, 2008 Demonstration Permits Frustrate Groups Green Universities Helping To Produce Greener Pastures Mr. Bill Doesn’t Say ‘NOOOO’ To Awareness Campaign Contents Who...When...Where...How...What? On Dangerous Ground Association Management Travel Nightmare The 2008 NPT Power & Influence Top 50 Leaderless Unusual Special Events On The Move Lost: The Donors Consistent Messaging New UK Standards Business Briefs National Movement Calendar NPT Jobs Resource Directory

The NonProfit Times - August 1, 2008

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