[FARC] Red Cross news

[Eric Gammeter]

+ 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 HamventionR
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."