[ARRL-OK] ARC Responds to ARRL Concerns Regarding Background Checks

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

+ News From ARRL HQ

American Red Cross Responds to ARRL Concerns Regarding Background
Checks

In November 2007, ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, wrote to the
American Red Cross (ARC) regarding concerns voiced by ARRL
volunteers. In 2006, the Red Cross stated it would implement
background checks that included, among other things, a credit check
and a "mode of living" check for its staff and volunteers, including
ARES volunteers providing services to the Red Cross during disasters.
ARRL saw these portions of the background check as unneeded and
inappropriate for ARES service.

In a letter dated May 8 of this year, Armond T. Mascelli, ARC Vice
President for Disaster Response Services replied to President
Harrison: "I can now report back to you that [these] actions have
been completed and changes have been instituted which I trust
resolves the concerns detailed in your letter. This effort took
considerably more time and attention than originally envisioned, but
I believe the results will now benefit our respective organizations.

"A new background consent form now [is] to be used by all Red Cross
chapters for ARRL members and other partner organizations. The form
and related process is limited to the name and social security number
verification of the individual, and a criminal background check.
References and suggestions to other related investigative
possibilities have been stricken."

ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD,
announced the resolution at the ARRL ARES forum at the Dayton
Hamvention? and received hearty applause.

"We are very pleased that the American Red Cross has addressed some
of the issues that we raised regarding their background
investigations and that we can move forward in a relationship that
has existed for a long, long time," Harrison said. "The American Red
Cross and the ARRL have shared a productive relationship for many
years which has been of benefit to both the organizations and to the
public. We are glad that throughout the past months we have been able
to negotiate the issues that we had and have finally come to a
resolution."

What's Next?

With the background check issue apparently resolved, the ARRL will be
working with the ARC in the negotiation and creation of a draft for a
new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or similar document to replace
the one which expired last year; Dura and Keith Robertory of the ARC
will be leading the effort. When complete, the draft of the MOU will
be presented to the leadership of both organizations for approval.

"The ARRL is very pleased that the American Red Cross has responded
appropriately to our concerns about the background check issue," said
ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "We believe it now
will be possible to go forward to negotiate a statement of
understanding between the two organizations. We look forward to
renewing and expanding the relationship with the Red Cross."