In response to escalating crime and violence witnessed through the 1960s and 1970s, L. Ron Hubbard founded the Volunteer Minister program. This program was designed to provide practical tools for encouraging human understanding and compassion. Moreover, Mr. Hubbard expressly designed these tools for use by Scientologists and non-Scientologists alike. From this vision was born a broad-based movement of individuals from all walks of life. These individuals, known as Volunteer Ministers, dedicate themselves to delivering on-site assistance to communities around the world in times of need.
Over the last 30 years, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have provided emergency service at more than 300 worst-case disaster sites—wading into tsunami devastation, into the aftermath of earthquakes and landslides, and following man-made disasters.
While no one could have accurately predicted how the events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City would tear away society’s social veneer, Mr. Miscavige clearly recognized that it was time for Scientologists to redouble their efforts to aid their fellow man.
The same day, he issued a now-legendary, internationally-distributed directive entitled The Wake-Up Call. In accord with its title, this communication immediately inspired astonishing growth within the Volunteer Minister program. As of September 11, 2001, there were 6,000 Volunteer Ministers worldwide. Today, they are among the world’s most widely recognized independent relief organizations, with over 200,000 Volunteer Ministers on call internationally.
The tools of the Scientology Volunteer Minister are contained in The Scientology Handbook and the 19 accompanying courses, each covering a distinct body of technology. A Scientology Volunteer Minister is a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by helping restore purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others. Volunteer Ministers live by the motto, “Something can be done about it.”
The Volunteer Ministers worked with great energy and great compassion at Ground Zero, helping to ease the physical burdens and mental strains of the rescue workers. I cannot thank them enough. Chief of Department, New York City Police
