American Red Cross Youth

It is amazing, I must say, to realize that from all of the fantastic youth in the East Bay, I was selected to represent the East Bay for the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter (ARCBA) in California. I don’t think that I will ever forget that phone call, where Jason Wallace, the Youth Services Manager for the East Bay, called me to tell me that I would be receiving a Youth Services Award and that I was selected to serve for 2008 on the ARCBA Board of Directors. Nothing explains that feeling better that shock. I was in awe, and I still am, of some of the people who are my fellow members on the board. The realization hit me earlier today, when I was handed a stack of business cards that had my name and number on it, just what an organization I was representing. It is an honor and a priviledge to be the Youth Liason for this phenomenal board, and I hope that together, we can all do extraordinarily wonderful things.

I just got home a few hours ago from the ARCBA Board’s Annual Retreat and Strategic Planning Meeting held in Napa, CA. I am proud to say that my binder labeled “ARCBA Board of Directors” is bursting with papers and notes that I took over only a day and a half. I learned so much from the sessions I attended and from the presentations containing important ARCBA information. I tried to absorb so much from the bustling atmosphere of planning and acting that I could hardly sit still at our dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train (something that I have always wanted to experience). I am very glad that I had the opportunity to attend this retreat so that I could get to know my fellow board members, who are all so incredibly nice and friendly; and to familiarize myself with how the Board operates.

I titled this blog “The sky’s the limit!” because it truly is. I never thought that over the course of two years, I’d find myself in the highest position a Red Cross Youth in my chapter can achieve. If it wasn’t for the support and information provided by my local Contra Costa County office, it never would have happened. I extend so many thanks to everyone who aided me in my pursuit of Red Cross involvement, and I hope that I can add to the prosperity and presence of the American Red Cross by being on this board.

This experience has taught me that anything is possible if you want it bad enough. Go to as many meetings, retreats, conferences, whatever, anything in which you can learn about the American Red Cross. For me, it all started with a 3-day trip to Long Beach, CA, and I was hooked. It could be like that for you! Take the initiative to find your dream and discover the courage to just be who you are. The sky’s the limit!

Sheila Mirzai, California
shmirzai@yahoo.com

Filed under: Leadership, Recruitment