The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides significant help to those in need. The organization is a branch of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The organization’s initial goals were to provide humanitarian efforts and other relief during trying times. For example, many felt that the group was formed in response to the destruction caused by the American Civil War. Founder and the group’s first President, Clara Barton, believed that America should be prepared for future catastrophes, but there was widespread doubt that the nation would ever again experience anything as disastrous as the Civil War. Nonetheless, the organization was formed on the idea that it could also help out in crises other than war. The group was founded on May 21, 1881 and has contributed to the safe and healthy growth of our nation ever since. Today, the American Red Cross is involved in efforts that provide a variety of services in a number of areas. The American Red Cross is led by a Board of Governors that has all the power of the direction the program is heading. The Board of Governors reviews official Red Cross documents every so often in order to continually be a successful organization. These documents consist of things like the Congressional Charter, Amended and Restated Bylaws of the American National Red Cross, American Red Cross Mission Statement, Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, and the Geneva Conventions & International Humanitarian Law. During a meeting that is held every year by the American Red Cross, members of the board are selected by recommendation through the full board and with a final agreement by delegates of the chapters and blood services regions. Leadership is something that is obviously a huge issue when you have an organization of Red Cross’s magnitude. There are three leadership positions ran by two different people in the American Red
References: 1. The American Red Cross. November 16, 2009 . 2. American Red Cross. Wikipedia.org. November 16, 2009 .