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Mission of the American Red Cross
The following mission statement has been established by the Board of Governors:
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Congressional Charter --
The Red Cross has both the power and the duty to act in disaster, and prompt action is clearly expected and supported by the public. The Red Cross authority to perform disaster services was formalized when the organization was chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1905.
...to continue and carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same.--U.S. Congress, Act of January 5, 1905, as amended, 36 U.S.C.

Seven Principles of the International Red Cross Movement --
Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality

1. Humanity -- Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.
2. Impartiality -- It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class, or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
3. Neutrality -- In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological nature.
4. Independence -- The movement is independent. The national societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the movement.
5. Voluntary Service -- It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
6. Unity -- There can be only one Red Cross society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry out its humanitarian work throughout its territory.
7. Universality -- The International Red Cross Movement, in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Description:
Volunteer Opportunities
Join the American Red Cross and become a part of the largest volunteer service and educational force in the nation.
Thank you for your interest in the American Red Cross. The Greater Houston Area Chapter provides services such as disaster relief, health & safety education, and assistance to military families in 18 counties surrounding the Houston area. Please review the following volunteer opportunities and call a Branch Office near you or the Office of Volunteer Personnel at (713) 313-5407 to volunteer.
All Red Cross volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application (includes interview and signing the Red Cross Code of Conduct) and take Orientation for New Paid & Volunteer Staff (a two-hour training). In this course you will learn about the history and goals of Red Cross as well as services and funding of our organization.
Corporate/Team Opportunities
When a business or community group is interested in volunteering for the American Red Cross we can bring most of the training to your site.
Special Projects: Red Cross also needs volunteers for one-time or short-term events (fundraisers, decorating the lobby for the holidays, stuffing packets, sorting mail, etc.). E-mail notification is sent periodically to notify Special Projects Volunteers of up-coming events. To be added to the notification list, call the Office of Volunteer Personnel (713) 313-5407 or e-mail us (fmohamm@ghac.org)
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Orientation to project

Individual Volunteer Opportunities
Disaster Services:
 Community Disaster Education: Help keep families and individuals in your community safe. Distribute important disaster preparedness material at health fairs and information booths at local events, and give lectures and presentations to interested groups.
 Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member: Provide immediate emergency relief to people affected by a disaster and emergency workers at the scene. Teams respond "on-call" on a rotating one week schedule. Daytime and after hours shifts are available.

 Disaster Committee Member: Put your leadership skills to work and help plan, monitor and evaluate disaster services programs. Choose to serve on subcommittees, such as Mass Care, Damage Assessment or Human Resources, which match your interest and experience.
 Disaster Health Services / Mental Health Services: Licensed health care and mental health professionals help disaster victims and workers involved with the disaster relief effort with health related emergencies and provide counseling in shelters, service centers and during home visits.
 Disaster Services Human Resource (DSHR) System: Join an elite group of volunteers ready to respond to local and national disasters. DSHR volunteers quickly mobilize when a disaster strikes in any part of the country or US territories and must be available to travel for a three-week period.
 Ready Texan Program: State employees, certified as a Red Cross disaster volunteer, may be eligible for up to 10 days leave per calendar year to respond to disasters in the Sate of Texas.
 Shelter Teams: Shelter teams, in partnership with the Red Cross, operate shelters during times of large-scale disaster. Individuals must be sensitive to the diversity and needs of the community. Great volunteer opportunity for church, school, or business groups
Emergency Care Team Member: Provide First Aid care for special events (e.g., Rodeo Parade, Fort Bend County Fair, various festivals and events).
Requirements:
First Aid & CPR certification** (Approximately 9 hours)
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Emergency Care Team Orientation (1 hour)
Wear Red Cross identification when providing Red Cross services (shirt provided)
Advanced training** for team leaders
Driver: Transport patients from home to area facilities to non-emergency medical appointments in Red Cross vehicles.
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Good driving record and valid Texas driver's license
Wear Red Cross identification when providing Red Cross services
Youth Aquatic Support: Work with team sponsors to provide support for fundraiser at area swimming pools: deliver set up materials, count swimmers' laps and pledges, collect donations, and deliver prizes.
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Transportation between Red Cross and pool sites
Wear Red Cross identification when providing Red Cross services (shirt provided)
Health Fair: Health Fair volunteers distribute Red Cross brochures and answer questions in an informal setting.
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Marketing Orientation/Interview (1 hour)
Wear Red Cross identification when providing Red Cross services (nametag and brochure provided)
Safety Education: Teach safety topics to area elementary school students in the classroom for after-school groups, scout groups, libraries, etc. Topics include such subjects as disaster safety, water safety, first aid, and being home alone. More in-depth and hands-on safety topics are available for adults and young adults. Courses include boating safely, lifeguarding, first aid, & CPR (most courses require additional training and certification).
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Orientation to safety materials** (2 hours)
Office Help: Provide support to the Main Office or Branch Offices by assisting with data entry and other general office work tasks, including switch board operation and receptionist. A caretaker is also needed to water and maintain the plants in the office.
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Orientation to data entry programs (training time varies):
CHERS (volunteer office)
Razor's Edge (financial reporting)
Telemagic (Marketing and Health & Safety)
Excel
Or Orientation to phone system and staff responsibilities (on the job training available)
Or Orientation to building & grounds
Sew for Red Cross: Volunteer to sew, knit, or crochet with your group or in your own home, in your spare time. Make baby clothes and receiving blankets for newborn babies in area hospitals. Sew patchwork "Pillow Ponies" for children affected by disasters. Make comfort items (lap robes, slippers, etc) for Veteran's Hospital and area nursing home patients.
Requirements:
Red Cross Orientation (2 hours)
Patterns and material available if needed



Contact people:


Tim Kidwell, Director, Disaster Services, (phone), (email) Sarita Fulgencio, Deputy Director, Disaster Serivices, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (713) 526-3267

Address:


2700 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77098 (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.houstonredcross.org

Directions:

Going out of downtown Houston on US Hwy 59, exit Kirby. Cross Kirby and at middle of the block you will find the Greater Houston Area Chapter.