European Coordination Center of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers formed in Brussels to coordinate the activities of more than 2,000 volunteers and to advocate volunteerism in the capital of Europe

Brussels, 13 May 2004

The formation of the European Coordination Centre of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers (ECCVM) has been announced at a special presentation event in Brussels with the participation of prominent speakers and delegates of the Volunteer Ministers Programme from different European countries.

The new Center is located in Brussels and will coordinate the intervention of the 2,427 trained European Volunteer Ministers in case of major disaster or catastrophe through a network that span through the European countries. ECCVM has the additional function to promote the critical role of voluntary service as a key factor to developing strong communities and to encourage an active participation to the improvement of social problems. Volunteerism is based on and promotes solidarity, human development and true help, which is what motivates the thousand of Scientology Volunteer Ministers throughout the world.

Guest speaker of the event was Lieutenant John McCole, of the New York Fire Department (NYFD). McCole was on duty on September 11 and was one of the first firefighter to arrive at Ground Zero right after the terrorist attack at the Twin Tower. Lieutenant McCole has worked shoulder to shoulder with the Volunteer Ministers during those dramatic days and he has then written a book, “The Second Tower’s Down”, which is a detailed account of what really happened at Ground Zero and how the Volunteer Ministers played a key role in the safety of the rescuers.

“To the European Coordination Center of the Volunteer Ministers In recognition of the solidarity and voluntary service expressed by the Scientology Volunteer Ministers throughout the world. The Muslim Scouts of Belgium.” This is the silver award presented

by Karim Geirnaert, member of Executive Council of Belgium Muslims and President of the Muslim Boy Scouts, to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers on the behalf of the Muslim Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts.

During the event, the booklet “Volunteer Ministers - Bringing Effective Help To the Community” was released, the fourth in a series of publications to make the Scientology religion it social betterment activities better known in Europe. The booklet, which has been sent to some 56,000 decision makers in Europe, describes the European and worldwide activities of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, bringing effective help and practical solutions to their fellow man, based on the discoveries of the Scientology founder, humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers is a worldwide corps of volunteers with members in most of the 25 countries of the European Union. Their activities range from responding quickly to emergencies, working in disaster relief and providing humanitarian aid; they also help the individual with his day-to-day problems.

The Church staff of major centers in Copenhagen, Saint Hill, UK, Milano, Madrid, Budapest and Moscow are additionally regularly trained in responding to disasters specific to their areas.

The effectiveness of this organization is also illustrated by the fact that within hours of the September 11 disaster (and despite the fact that all entrances to New York City were closed), the Church had dozens of Volunteer Ministers on site providing assistance to rescue workers. Within days this number was up to 800 volunteers, who provided services ranging from organizational and communication assistance, food services, transportation, and spiritual counseling.

There are 59 Scientology churches in major metropolitan centers in Europe, each of which can provide facilities for shelter, communications response centers, emergency distribution centers, feeding stations.