Cooperation: Member organizations need one another; no organization has all the answers for the challenges that are faced. Members are treated as partners.

Communication: Information about member organizations is shared on a regular basis -- their capacities, accomplishments, and commitments. Channels are maintained for sharing information, listening carefully to each other, and dealing openly with concerns.

Coordination: Member organizations commit themselves to work together (not competitively) toward the goal of effective service to disaster victims.Through planning and preparation, NCVOAD equips member organizations to behave in a coordinated fashion in time of disaster -- matching services to need.

Collaboration: Member organizations dedicate themselves to work together to achieve specific goals and to undertake specific projects at disaster sites. Partnerships are formed during disaster response.