[FARC] ARRL Update on Red Cross Credit/Background Checks forVolunteers

[Howard W3CQH]

What does the ARRL/RED CROSS MOU say?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Moroney" <windbrkr at erols.com>
To: "FARC Mail List" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 4:19 PM
Subject: [FARC] ARRL Update on Red Cross Credit/Background Checks 
forVolunteers


> Here's the latest on the ARRL's position concerning credit/background 
> checks for long-term Red Cross volunteers (fyi, if you haven't already 
> seen it).
> 73, Bob K9CMR
> =====================
>
> Atlantic Division Bulletin
> April 16, 2007
> Bulletin Number 2007-04
>
> NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 16, 2007 -- In March, the ARRL posted its position
> statement regarding the American Red Cross background check policy for
> volunteers. This updates information the League has obtained about that
> program. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and Chief Technology 
> Officer
> Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, met March 20 at American Red Cross offices in
> Washington, DC, with two attorneys from the Red Cross General Counsel's
> office and two management-level staff members from Red Cross Disaster
> Services.
> ARRL asked the Red Cross staff if ARRL ARES volunteers would be subject
> to the American Red Cross background check if they are providing
> communications for more than seven days. The position of the Red Cross
> is that ARES volunteers would not be permitted to provide
> communications at a disaster site for more than seven days without
> submitting to the Red Cross background check procedure.
>
> Discussion was then held regarding the Red Cross announcement that
> credit checks and mode-of-living checks would not be conducted. ARRL's
> stated concern was that the ARC background investigation consent form
> states that a consumer report and/or an investigative consumer report
> -- which includes certain credit checks and includes mode of living
> checks -- will be obtained on the volunteer signing the form.
> The ARRL team asked if the Red Cross would be willing to modify the
> consent form so that it limits the authority granted by the person
> signing the form to criminal background checks only. The Red Cross
> representatives did not indicate a willingness to modify the consent
> form.
> The ARRL team also suggested alternatives to the Red Cross
> investigation firm, MyBackgroundCheck.com. ARRL was given an indication
> that the Red Cross is also unwilling to accept background checks
> conducted by other entities, because the Red Cross would be required to
> compare the methodologies of its selected entity with those of the
> alternative background-check provider.
> ARRL reiterates its recommendation that members carefully review any
> consent document permitting a private organization to conduct a
> background investigation on that person. The current Red Cross
> background check consent form does include permission, without further
> consent from the volunteer, to conduct a consumer report and/or an
> investigative consumer report. The Federal Trade Commission and Federal
> statutes define investigative consumer reports as including a
> mode-of-living check as well as certain credit checks.
> ARRL will not suggest what organizations or agencies should or should
> not be supported by volunteer Amateur Radio communications. ARRL does
> wish to facilitate the provision of volunteer services, however.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Atlantic Division
> Director: William Edgar, N3LLR
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