Volunteer Highlight from Flint Clouse, Regional Volunteer Services Officer - Dec. 2019

One Red Cross Pin – Multiple Hats

First, thank you for being kind to your Red Cross family.  On our surveys, volunteers highlight their experiences working with others. Families can be supportive or dysfunctional. How you treat others matters.You play a major role in welcoming new volunteers.

When you first apply to be a volunteer with the American Red Cross, you may have an idea of how the Red Cross serves your neighbors and what you would like to do. Most are amazed to see just how many ways the Red Cross supports our communities. The good news is that you don’t have to do just one thing.

While some markets might have a home fire response almost every week, the volunteer need for the majority of our positions ebb and flow. That is why we recommend that you wear more than one hat. Here are some examples of multiple hats to consider:

You may serve on-call for the Disaster Action Team as well as provide casework support for Service to the Armed Forces.

You might answer calls to the front desk every week as well as process thank-you letters for Fundraising bi-weekly.

You may serve as a blood donor ambassador once a month as well as DAT Coordinator.

If you need help identifying your additional hat, please contact us at placements@redcross.org or me at Flint.Clouse@redcross.org today. We have a high need for experienced volunteers to help the volunteer screening team connect new volunteers to the right roles for them. This is something you can do from the comfort of your home on your own schedule.

I am happy to share that we will be receiving pins to recognize our volunteers that wear hats from multiple lines of service, which brings up recognition items. Some of you have asked about name badges, shirts, etc. Recognition items for our Friends and Family Referral Program will be provided by Volunteer Services. The online form must be completed prior to the recruit applying online. From Volunteer Connection, go to MY NHQ, then Friends and Family Referrals.

Also, each line of service awards recognition item is based on roles, trainings and volunteer hours. Thank you for logging your hours. It helps us demonstrate our contributions to the community. We appreciate your help telling our story.

Whether from our offices, your home or the field, the Red Cross is committed to giving you an opportunity to serve others. Thank you for being part of our Red Cross family.

-Flint