Organization Development Consultant Plan for the Red Cross
Practitioner Project Two: American Red Cross
LS 618
Stacie L. Marquis
Organizational Background and History Stop
«»The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States. Most of the country may not realize how much the Red Cross accomplishes this noble calling through the dependency on the generous contributions of time, blood, and money from the American public to support their lifesaving services and programs. The American Red Cross also partners with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world to help some of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. “Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881” (Red Cross, 2013d, para. 2). Barton accomplished several overseas missions for the Red Cross but eventually came back to the United States and continued her domestic and global efforts for the next 23 years (Red Cross, 2013d). The Red Cross received their first congressional charter in 1900, and the second in 1905, which is still in effect today. The charter “…sets forth the purposes of the organization which includes giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation” (Red Cross, 2013d, para. 4). Since 2006, the Red Cross and FEMA have partnered together to help various government agencies and communities plan and coordinate the provision of food and shelter for people affected by disasters (American Red Cross, 2013d, para. 8). Today, there are over a thousand local chapters throughout the United States (American Red Cross, 2013e, para. 3) that continue the mission of the American Red Cross, fueled by loyal volunteers and contributors. .
Organizational Culture The culture of the American Red Cross is built on its dedication to a contemporary mission and vision statement which will guide it
LS 618
Stacie L. Marquis
Organizational Background and History Stop
«»The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States. Most of the country may not realize how much the Red Cross accomplishes this noble calling through the dependency on the generous contributions of time, blood, and money from the American public to support their lifesaving services and programs. The American Red Cross also partners with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world to help some of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. “Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881” (Red Cross, 2013d, para. 2). Barton accomplished several overseas missions for the Red Cross but eventually came back to the United States and continued her domestic and global efforts for the next 23 years (Red Cross, 2013d). The Red Cross received their first congressional charter in 1900, and the second in 1905, which is still in effect today. The charter “…sets forth the purposes of the organization which includes giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation” (Red Cross, 2013d, para. 4). Since 2006, the Red Cross and FEMA have partnered together to help various government agencies and communities plan and coordinate the provision of food and shelter for people affected by disasters (American Red Cross, 2013d, para. 8). Today, there are over a thousand local chapters throughout the United States (American Red Cross, 2013e, para. 3) that continue the mission of the American Red Cross, fueled by loyal volunteers and contributors. .
Organizational Culture The culture of the American Red Cross is built on its dedication to a contemporary mission and vision statement which will guide it
References: American Red Cross. (2012). The America Red Cross: Transforming for the future. A 2012 update from Gail McGovern, President and CEO. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m12340162_15202.4- Year_McGovern_Report_PRINT2.pdf American Red Cross. (2013a) Governance. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/about- us/governance American Red Cross. (2013b). Leadership. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/about- us/governance/leadership American Red Cross. (2013c). Mission, Vision, and Fundamental Principles. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/about-us/mission American Red Cross. (2013d). Our History. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/about- us/history American Red Cross, (2013e). Who we are. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/about- us/mission Anderson, D. L., (2012). Organizational development: The process of leading organizational change. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Kotter International. (2012). The 8-step process for leading change. Retrieved from http://www.kotterinternational.com/our-principles/changesteps/changesteps Van de Ven, A. & Joyce, W. (1981). The evolution of socio-technical systems: A conceptual framework and an action research program. An Occasion Paper No. 2. Retrieved from http://www.sociotech.net/wiki/images/9/94/Evolution_of_socio_technical_systems.pdf