As a freshman in high school, I approached the Ventura, California office with hesitation: I wasn’t sure exactly what the Red Cross did, and for that matter, I had no idea what opportunities existed for youth. I had only seen the symbol and heard the name mentioned in positive contexts.
I’m sure most of you have cleared that first hurdle. (If not, more information on the Red Cross is available through the “Blogroll” in the right column.)
Involvement in the Red Cross takes many forms, and I’d like to share a number of projects beyond your chapter that can keep you engaged in important work.
Youth Neighborhood: This is a secure website for Red Cross youth volunteers and their coordinators. You can share important documents, photos and contact information, participate in discussions and receive updates from National Headquarters on upcoming events and programs. Get your chapter signed up for the site by emailing IspasA@usa.redcross.org!
Youth Blog: Let us know if you want to contribute a single article or become a regular blogger for the Red Cross. Next time, you could be reading your own post!
Youth Partnerships: Occasionally, a youth volunteer or staff member has a great contact or suggestion for an organization with which the Red Cross should work. Past examples include national fraternities and the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership. Forward any thoughts you have and we’ll try to set something up.
International Involvement: The National Youth Council is committed to engaging other youth programs around the world, in order to provide resources and expertise to people that want our help.
*If your chapter wants to fundraise for a foreign cause (perhaps you need help figuring out what that cause is);
*If you want to volunteer with a foreign Red Cross program; or
*If you speak a foreign language fluently and want to help in translation of the international youth newsletter, let us know!
Mat Morgan, California
MorganMat@usa.redcross.org
Filed under: Leadership, Recruitment
