Change and Opportunity - Northeast Tennessee - May 2018

The symbols for change and opportunity are identical in the Chinese language.  Here at the Northeast Tennessee Chapter as we experience new leadership we know change will come and with the change also great opportunity.  Since 1917 when the Red Cross Chapters were chartered in this area we have seen many changes in leadership.  There have been new Chapter Chairmen every few years but the Executives have traditionally stayed for longer periods.    

Glenda Bobalik, who retired last month after working at the Chapter here in northeast TN since 1987, will be missed by many individuals she has touched over the past 31 years.  Glenda started her career with the Red Cross as a swimming and canoeing instructor in Texas.  When she moved to Kingsport she soon began volunteering with the Red Cross again.  First as a hospital volunteer, next as a school health volunteer, and then as a First Aid and CPR Instructor.  It was her volunteer leadership in the School Health Program that led her to employment with the Red Cross.  In 1987, she became the Director of Volunteers, then transitioned to Disaster Services and Emergency Services before finally assuming the role of Executive Director.  She has filled many beyond the Chapter roles, especially in Disaster Response.

When asked what her favorite experiences have been in her years with the Red Cross, she quickly says disaster response.  She loves people - helping and giving hope to them whether it be one family in the middle of the night, training volunteers or helping the public prepare for and respond to a disaster.  The numerous Red Crossers she has worked with over the years hold very special places in Glenda’s memories – they are the part of her Red Cross experience she will miss the most.

In these 30 years Glenda has seen significant change in the American Red Cross.  She says while many internal processes and procedures have changed over the years the actual services provided to those in need has not changed significantly.  We still help families after a disaster with their basic needs – our volunteers now provide the help in a different way due to technology. We still provide the same care and support even with the changes.  She notes an organization that does not change with society dies.

What is Glenda’s plan for the future?  She says her options are wide open.  While she is not going to commit to anything specific right now she knows she will do something for the Red Cross in the future. For the immediate future, she has a long list of projects ranging from cleaning her garage to spending lots of time with her granddaughter.  We wish Glenda the very best in her well-deserved retirement!   

Kalen Collins joined the Northeast TN Chapter as Executive Director on April 30.  She is a native of Castlewood , Virginia.  After completing her schooling in Wise, Virginia, Kalen attended King University in Bristol; graduating after 5 years with a bachelor’s Degree in communications and a master’s Degree in Business Administration.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in Richmond engaged Kalen to work with the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation.  During her time with them she was Operations Manager for the Foundation based at Heartwood in Abingdon.  Her role there included working with government and community leaders, artists, businesses, farms and others to turn natural and cultural resources and assets into tourism magnets for Southwest Virginia.

Outside of her professional life, Kalen enjoys many sporting activities.  She is a runner, has coached youth basketball, and enjoys football.  This love of football is a joint interest with her fiancé, Quintin Hunter, who works as offensive coordinator with the football program at Emory and Henry College.

Kalen was excited when she saw the opportunity to work with the American Red Cross and stay in this area.  She thought the organization would be a good fit for her professional skills, her desire to help others, and her love of meeting and talking with people.

When asked her first impression after 3 days on the job - Kalen says she is blown away by the collaboration she has observed both locally and across the state.  She also is impressed by how engaged the volunteers are with the work of the Chapter. 

When you are in the Kingsport Office please stop in to welcome Kalen to the Red Cross and our Chapter.