For more than 125 years, the American Red Cross has relied on everyday heroes who donate time and tirelessly serve our community.  Since Clara Barton created the organization in 1881, it has been largely dependent on the support of the American people.

For the next 125 years and beyond, the Red Cross will meet the needs of the public by fostering volunteers who are professional, prepared and committed to the tradition of providing supreme service delivery to our communities.

All volunteers must take Red Cross orientation; unless otherwise noted, only on-the-job training is required.

Blood Services
(Collecting and distributing blood to hospitals across the state.)

• Administrative workers assist with clerical and general office duties.
• Blood drive workers greet and escort donors to collection stations and staff the canteen.
• Canteen workers thank and serve refreshments to donors as they leave.
• Donor Receptionists answer telephones and greet and direct donors and visitors.

Development
(Raising funds to support Chapter operation and services.)

• Committee members provide volunteer leadership for the Development department and support departmental efforts by networking and raising funds.
• Fundraisers solicit donations and promote seasonal fundraisers as appropriate.
• Recruiters make contacts with potential individual and group donors.
• Special events coordinators plan and organize fundraising events.

Preparedness Department
(Helping the community prevent and prepare for emergencies.)

• Community Dsaster Education (CDE) presenters give disaster presentations.
• Customer service specialists answer phones, direct calls and visitors, and perform general office duties like doing data entry and filing.
• Instructors teach community courses like CPR, first aid, water safety, and babysitting.
• Leaders teach community Health & Safety and preparedness programs like Be Red Cross Ready (a five-step emergency preparedness program).

Response Department

Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)

• Caseworkers provide emergency communication between active duty military and their families during daytime hours and on call after-hours and on weekends. PR: RC casework training.

Disaster Services

• Disaster Action Team (DAT) members are on call one week a month to respond to after-hours (mostly common house fires). PR: Intro to Disaster Services, Family Services and DAT Orientation.
• Disaster Health Services workers give nursing aid in shelters. PR: Intro to Disaster Services, Disaster Health Services Overview.
• Disaster Mental Health workers monitor the emotional well-being of disaster workers, victims and volunteers. PR: RC Intro to Disaster Services, other required Disaster courses.
• Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) workers may respond to disasters within our seven-state Service Area. PR: Intro to Disaster Services, other courses corresponding with position desired.
• Local Disaster Volunteer workers respond in varying capacities during apartment fires or large-scale disasters to assess property damage, provide communication links between Red Cross entities and other agencies, provide emergency financial assistance to clients, feed and care for evacuees or assist with feeding of support agencies, manage daily shelter functions.
• Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) drivers use the ERV as a mobile office and feeding kitchen to bring supplies to disaster workers and victims. PR: RC Orientation, Intro to Disaster Services, Mass Care Overview and ERV training.
• Interpreters work in shelters and at disaster scenes to assist in communicating with non-English speakers, particularly the Spanish-speaking community.
• Leads oversee operation and volunteers for various areas of disaster specialization, such as mass care, family services or mental health.
• Preparedness workers help prepare for disasters by surveying facilities for shelter use, tracking inventory of supplies, stocking shelter kits, working on capacity building projects, recruiting DAT volunteers.
• Response Center Network call agents will answer calls during times of major disasters of community members who require emergency assistance from the American Red Cross.  PR: RC Orientation, Intro to Disaster Services, RCN training.

International Services

• Instructors train people or groups within the community to teach emergency preparedness (such as the Somali Bantu).
• Interpreters assist in communication during casework.
• Program planners identify different cultural groups to present to.
• Translators translate brochures or presentations to educate cultural communities about the Red Cross.
• Measles Initiative Campaigners raise awareness and funds for the number one cause of youth death in Africa and Asia.

Office of Volunteers

• Administrative workers do data entry, answer phones, mail applications to and take calls from interested volunteers, follow up with interested volunteers, and prepare materials for meetings or presentations.
• Chairman of Volunteers works closely with the Volunteer Resources Manager to help manage and oversee volunteer staff, policies and practices.
• Chairman of Youth coordinates and manages the youth program.
• Committee members meet quarterly to discuss department-related issues, provide support for recruitment and special events, and plan volunteer recognition events.
• Recruiters give presentations to educate the community about volunteer needs and opportunities.
• Red Cross Club coordinators help promote, form and sustain Red Cross Clubs among area youth.
• Speakers Bureau members/Special events workers give presentations or represent the Red Cross at health, organizational, and community fairs and other events as needed.
• Volunteer liaisons help the Office of Volunteers keep in touch with current and prospective volunteers through phone calls, mailings, etc.