Throughout recent years controversy over the American Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts sparked interest in the overall credibility of the organization. Most individuals within the United States believe that the American sector of The Red Cross has become a disgrace to the community of nonprofit organizations.The Reformation of the American Red Cross is vital for its future success starting with the reconfiguration of its executive leadership, organization of active volunteers and overall configuring a more appropriate way of financial spending. The American Red Cross has become unworthy of Clara Barton’s memory but can be ultimately restored with vital corrections to the organization.
A crucial part within the reformation of this nonprofit is the foundation on which this organization rest on. Their leadership is ultimately falling and needs to be reconfigured in order to get this organization back on track. Yet you would think with their vast array of incredibly qualified individuals many past CEO’s of billion dollars multinational companies that fill the positions of
corporate officers, board of governors and executive leadership they wouldn’t have this much trouble running this organization, but somehow they do. But specifically focusing on the biggest mistake the American Red Cross’s board could have made, allowing Gail J. McGovern to be their current President and CEO. Who took this position in 2008 with intentions of completely revitalizing the charity due to its increasing financial issues. She decided the best option for fixing the problem lead to a cut in hundred of chapters and thousands of employees. These chapters were in cities through out the United States in order to provided community disaster relief, support for military families, health and safety training and community services like meals and transportation. With the trusty help of McGovern 250 of those chapters still exist considering their were more then 700 across American. Sarah Vision from the Washington post stated that this would lead to the organization to deal with “a huge loss of experienced staff” and eventually faced the conclusion of her decision which lead to “eroded the ability for the charity to aid Americans in times of need”. McGovern’s overall plan for the reformation of the American Red Cross ultimately failed due to the fact that it enabled the true intentions of this organization which is to helping individuals in time of need. The American Red Cross needs to dump McGovern, she doing nothing but holding them back and making bad decisions along the way. It’s time for a new executive to reinvent this company one who truly understands the intentions that were set forth by Clara Barton.
Something else that needs to be enhanced within is non-profit is the need for better organization of relief efforts focusing on how to improve communication from the executive level to the active volunteers surviving within the organization. When looking at the shortcomings of the charity one big issue was the lack organization of the red cross volunteers these are the individuals who are being held responsible for providing relief in these life threatening situations. An
investigation by ProPublica states that during hurricane Isaac and Sandy the Red Cross brought forth a huge amount of volunteers but many were misdirected by the charities managers. So for an organization that realize heavily on volunteer efforts to carry the charities initial purpose but because there leadership is once again is failing by not providing a plan of action for these volunteers it is impossible to successfully distribute relief to these individuals in these disasters. This lack of communication between the two entities is basically crippling the efficiency of the organization and basically blocks the charity from its initial purpose, serving the people.
Also there needs to be a complete revitalization of their financial sector specifically focusing on finding a more effective way of using the money that is donated to the non-profit. Here is my
biggest frustration with the American Red Cross, during hurricane Harvey I became extremely familiar with the organization but to my surprise it left me beyond disappointed. After the storm hit, millions of individuals were left without basic necessities. The Red Cross finally shows up to
Rockport, Tx (this is where our families home resides) a week later where they handed me 4 first aid kits and 6 shovels when many didn’t even have food or water. For me that’s a huge issue it’s not like the red cross is insufficient in the amount of donated funds, it basically doesn’t know the community it’s trying to provide for and what it needs. This money that individuals donate to the American Red Cross needs to be used efficiently, it needs to go to something that will actually make a difference in someone’s life, virtually reverting back to the initial purpose of the organization.
On the contrary, the American Red Cross has concluded that with the plan Gail McGovern has enforced the charity is able to provide the same amount of assistance as seen in the past, under the circumstances of the deduction of Red Cross chapters throughout the United States and experienced staff. So if the Red Cross is stating that their able to provide the same amount of assistance, why do
American citizens keep seeing time and time again people being denied from the help from the organization. So how is it possible for them to be receiving the same amount of help when no help is offered. In addition one of the Red Cross’s vision statements that plasters their website is “.... in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.” Red Cross where are these volunteers that are trained and ready for action, because of the charity's problematic organization and communication this statement is considered false and truly offensive.
There is no excuse of why the American Red Cross is failing within their executive leadership, organization of volunteers, and financial sector, it’s truly sad. With this reformation it will allow the American Red Cross to be a successful non-profit and once again embrace the memory of the beloved Clara Barton.