final project 9

American Red Cross

Precious Teasley

Southern New Hampshire University

OL-665-X2120 Lead/Manage Not-For-Profit Org 23TW2

Dr Gaye Warren

December 20, 2023

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is the chosen nonprofit organization. Globally, the Red Cross organization is known for its humanitarian efforts whenever disasters strike. This is similar in the United States where the American Red Cross is known to help people whenever there are disasters. As a humanitarian organization, the primary responsibilities of the American Red Cross are disaster relief, emergency aid, and disaster preparedness education (American Red Cross, 2023). The American Red Cross was chosen because it is one of the largest nonprofits in the country and has had a significant influence on countless lives. According to the American Red Cross' mission statement, the organization prevents and alleviates human suffering during times of emergencies (American Red Cross, 2023). This is through its fast response during times of emergencies demonstrating its influence in the community. It is important to understand the success of this organization and see how its mission and values can be applied to other nonprofit organizations.

Mission

The mission statement of the American Red Cross is “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors” (American Red Cross, 2023). This mission describes why the not-for-profit organization exists. The mission is clear the American Red Cross organization exists to mobilize the power of volunteers during disasters and help the people. It describes how people come together during times of disaster and stand together to help each other. The organization serves everyone in the United States.

History

The American Red Cross has a great history dating back to the 19th century. The organization is over 200 years old. Clara Barton and a few of her friends established the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. On May 21, 1881 (Jones, 2012). This was after Clara Barton had traveled to Europe after the Civil War, and became aware of the global Red Cross network, which was modeled after the Swiss model. On returning home, she ran a campaign to ratify the Geneva Convention, which protects those injured in conflict (Red Cross, n.d.) The campaign was approved by the US in 1882 which also included the establishment of an American Red Cross.

Barton oversaw the Red Cross for 23 years during which it launched its first domestic and international disaster relief operations, supported the US military in the Spanish-American War, and successfully lobbied for the inclusion of relief efforts during peacetime in the global Red Cross network (Red Cross, n.d.). In the 20th century, the organization expanded beyond military support and disaster relief to include enhancing community resilience, blood collection programs, two world wars, and the training of first aid. One of the biggest milestones in the 21st century is partnering with the FDA and other industry partners to collect convalescent plasma from Covid-19 patients.

Current position

There are over 600 chapters of the American Red Cross. There are also 36 blood services regions across the United States. These offices and blood services serve communities across the United States. The American Red Cross offers disaster services where they respond to all the disasters in the United States. The organization has service to the armed service program which provides veterans and members of armed service humanitarian services. The organization provides health and safety services to the communities, blood services, and international response to vulnerable people.

References

American Red Cross: Leadership & Communication

Precious Teasley

Southern New Hampshire University

OL-665-X2120 Lead/Manage Not-For-Profit Org 23TW2

Dr Gaye Warren

January 9, 2024

American Red Cross: Leadership & Communication

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization operating in the United States. The Red Cross organization is well-known throughout the world for its humanitarian assistance during times of calamity. Similar initiatives are carried out in the US, where the American Red Cross is renowned for providing aid to victims during natural disasters. The American Red Cross's main duties as a humanitarian organization are emergency assistance, disaster relief, and teaching about disaster preparedness (American Red Cross, 2023). The American Red Cross is one of the nation's greatest charitable organizations and its immense impact on numerous lives. Due to its impact various strategic aspects have to be considered. These include its communication and leadership strategies. The organization is renowned due to its leadership and communication strategies. This paper analyzes the leadership and communication strategies of the organization

Leadership

The type of board structure at the American Red Cross is governing board. The Board of Governors is in charge of managing the organization's business and affairs. It possesses all these authorities. The American Red Cross's corporate governance guidelines are outlined in the organization's Congressional Charter (Red Cross, 2023). This type of board structure has its advantages and disadvantages. The governing board at American Red Cross bears the ultimate duty for guaranteeing that the organization fulfils its objective and for the general well-being of the organization. This type of board establishes policies, makes sure the organization to comply with legal and regulatory obligations, and makes sure it works in the best interests of its stakeholders. The executive team is answerable to the board for their choices and actions. In order to guarantee openness and responsible management, they examine financial documents, keep an eye on performance indicators, and encourage moral behavior. However, the drawbacks for this type of board structure include possible conflicts of interest by the board of governors, higher expenses related to director salary, and the requirement for efficient communication and teamwork among board members.

The American Red Cross as a non-profit organization relies on volunteers who make up most of its human capital. The management has adopted various strategies that ensure they are able to attract and retain the best talent which includes employees and volunteers. The strategy involves transparency and communication. This is a people management strategy that ensures the roles and responsibilities of individuals are clearly outlined to attract efficient workers. The internal communication systems are well set to ensure any promotions start internally.

Leadership is a key factor to the success of one of the oldest nonprofit organizations in the United States. The leadership style at the organization is affiliative leadership. This style of leadership is effective when teammates are under pressure or need time to recover from a traumatic event. It also encourages optimism, harmony in the workplace, and teamwork. In order to foster a sense of belonging and trust, this leadership style places a strong emphasis on resolving conflicts amicably and developing close relationships between subordinates and superiors. The Red Cross operates in crisis mode and takes quick action over extended periods of time. A centralized corporate board structure is effective during periods of crisis.

Communication

The American Red Cross employs efficient communication techniques in its daily operations to meet client expectations and carry out its mandate in an efficient manner (Rubin et al. 2009). The company uses a strategic communication method for internal communication, which helps employees contribute to the achievement of the organization's goals and mission. The American Red Cross has been promoting the main participants in the transformational procedure by developing and implementing a multi-channel communication strategy over the past few years.

The American Red Cross has a public relations strategy that involves making the most of new social media tools. This involves a policy of interacting with curious and involved influencers. The role of influencers is immense in public relations especially in amplifying PR efforts (Tworzydło et al., 2019). This includes reaching out and maintaining contact with the individuals who are assisted, the organization, funders, supporters, and volunteers.

The American Red Cross uses various communication strategies that help in advancing their goals and mission. This involve the use of multiple modes of communication which include social media, emails, face-to-face communication and others. The use of multiple mode of communication helps in achievement of the organization's goals and mission.

Conclusion

The board structure at the American Red Cross is the board of governors. This is an effective structure that ensures aspects like accountability and effective utilization of resources. This kind of board involves having different professionals who will contribute differently to decision-making. The affiliative leadership style at the organization helps in promoting good communication strategies both internally and externally. This helps in help in advancing their goals and mission. The leadership and communication strategies at the organization have been key to its success over the years.

References

Financial Management and Ethical Practices Analysis of the American Red Cross

Precious Teasley

Southern New Hampshire University

OL-665-X2120 Lead/Manage Not-For-Profit Org 23TW2

Dr. Gaye Warren

January 28, 2024

Financial Management and Ethical Practices Analysis of the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, founded by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881, has emerged as a global humanitarian force dedicated to preventing and alleviating human suffering during emergencies. Over 140 years, the organization has evolved into one of the largest and most impactful not-for-profit entities, responding to disasters, providing emergency aid, and promoting disaster preparedness. This essay delves into an in-depth analysis of the financial management and ethical practices employed by the American Red Cross.

The financial management of any not-for-profit organization is a critical aspect of its overall effectiveness and sustainability. The American Red Cross's financial landscape is multifaceted, reflecting the diverse revenue streams that sustain its operations. Private donations, government grants, and corporate partnerships collectively contribute to the organization's budgetary resources, exemplifying a well-structured and diversified financial framework (Werke and Bogale, 2023). This financial structure is vital for the American Red Cross's ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies on a global scale.

Within the organization, responsibilities related to finance are delineated, ensuring accountability and transparency. A well-defined financial structure is imperative for any not-for-profit entity, particularly one of the scales and impact of the American Red Cross (Colmenares, 2023). It provides the necessary framework to manage funds effectively, allocate resources strategically, and maintain the highest standards of financial integrity.

Fundraising campaigns constitute a significant component of the American Red Cross's financial strategy. Leveraging its extensive donor base, the organization strategically designs campaigns that resonate with its supporters, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility. These campaigns serve to raise immediate funds for disaster relief and preparedness and cultivate a sustained culture of giving. The American Red Cross actively pursues grant possibilities, forging partnerships with foundations and government entities to secure additional funding for its initiatives.

Planned giving opportunities, including endowments and bequests, are pivotal in ensuring the organization's financial stability over the long term. By encouraging donors to include the American Red Cross in their estate planning, the organization establishes a reliable source of funding that transcends immediate fundraising efforts. This forward-looking approach to financial management enhances the American Red Cross's resilience against economic uncertainties and provides a foundation for sustained impact.

However, despite its financial strength and strategic financial planning, the American Red Cross is not immune to challenges inherent in the nonprofit sector. Economic volatility can impact donor contributions, and the cyclical nature of grant funding presents an ongoing challenge. These challenges underline the need for continuous innovation in fundraising strategies, ensuring adaptability and responsiveness to the dynamic financial landscape.

Ethical practices form the bedrock of the American Red Cross's operational ethos (Jordan, 2020). Transparency in budgetary and fundraising practices is a cornerstone of the organization's commitment to ethical conduct. Adhering to established codes and principles within the nonprofit industry, the American Red Cross ensures that donors and stakeholders are well-informed about the allocation of funds and the impact of their contributions.

The organization actively addresses potential conflicts of interest, prioritizes donor privacy, and maintains fair compensation practices for its staff and executives. Ethical considerations are seamlessly integrated into the organization's policies and procedures, shaping an integrity and responsible stewardship culture. The American Red Cross recognizes the importance of maintaining the trust of its donors and the wider community, and ethical practices are fundamental to achieving and sustaining that trust.

By actively identifying, managing, and disclosing conflicts of interest, the American Red Cross safeguards its ethical integrity. The organization's commitment to transparency and ethical conduct extends beyond its internal operations to its engagement with donors and the broader public. This commitment enhances the organization's credibility and ensures that it remains a trusted partner for those who contribute to its mission.

The impact of the American Red Cross's ethical practices extends to its public image. In not-for-profit organizations, where public trust is paramount, the organization's commitment to ethical conduct is a powerful differentiator. By navigating potential pitfalls related to conflicts of interest and privacy concerns with integrity, the American Red Cross reinforces its reputation as a trustworthy steward of donor contributions (Vafeiadis et al.,2020).

This ethical commitment enhances donor confidence, attracting new supporters and bolstering its standing within the broader community. The positive public image cultivated through ethical practices contributes to the organization's ability to mobilize resources, form partnerships, and, ultimately, fulfil its mission on a global scale.

In conclusion, the American Red Cross exemplifies a harmonious blend of effective financial management and unwavering ethical practices within the not-for-profit sector. Its diverse revenue streams, strategic fundraising initiatives, and commitment to transparency underscore its financial resilience. Ethical considerations are seamlessly integrated into the organization's operations, shaping a positive public image and ensuring long-term sustainability.

As the American Red Cross continues to fulfil its mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering, its financial acumen and ethical fortitude will undoubtedly remain foundational to its success. In a world marked by increasing complexities and challenges, the American Red Cross is a beacon of compassionate and effective humanitarian action, a testament to the enduring importance of sound financial management and ethical conduct in the not-for-profit sector.

References

Colmenares, M. E. (2023). Improving Financial Resiliency to Provide Accessible Community Services During Emergency Conditions Through Strategic Planning (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).

Jordan, M. (2020). Leading Organizational Transformation: A Case Study of the American Red Cross (Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University).

Vafeiadis, M., Bortree, D. S., Buckley, C., Diddi, P., & Xiao, A. (2020). Refuting fake news on social media: nonprofits, crisis response strategies and issue involvement. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 29(2), 209-222.

Werke, S. Z., & Bogale, A. T. (2023). Nonprofit Marketing: A Systematic Review. Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing, 1-38.