[FARC] Re: Red Cross news

[Howard W3CQH]

It is probably about as secure as the information you have given the DMV to 
get your drivers license.

73's de Howard W3CQH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mm.barrett at comcast.net>
To: "Eric Gammeter" <n8aay at verizon.net>; "'Frederick, Maryland ARC'" 
<farc at mailman.qth.net>; <emcomm at madxra.org>
Cc: "'Jeff Fishman'" <ljfish at mindspring.com>; "'Joseph M. Durnal'" 
<joseph.durnal at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:46 AM
Subject: Re: Red Cross news


> It seems that this creates yet another potential information gate portal. 
> What does the ARC say about protecting the volunteer's ID info?
>
> 73
> mmb
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "Eric Gammeter" <n8aay at verizon.net>
>>
>> + 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."
>>
>