Arc Organization and Communication

American Red Cross Organizational and Communication

Scott VanSlooten

COM/530

January 19, 2015

Monique Georges

The American Red Cross’ organization mission statement espouses the idea of preventing suffering and assisting people in relief efforts after a disaster via donations and volunteer endeavors. Through their culture of compassion, collaboration, and improved communication, they achieve their goals daily.

The culture of the American Red Cross is twofold: compassion and collaboration. With compassion, they meet people who find themselves in a time of need. After a disaster, the American Red Cross steps in to provide relief, either by providing food and shelter or providing supplies needed to rebuild. The American Red Cross also meets need through collaboration by working together with other organizations (i.e. National Guard, Disaster Relief via Baptist Associations) to accomplish a common goal in regards to disaster relief. They are creative as a nonprofit organization in that they are continually looking for new and better ways to get things done. (American Red Cross, 2015)

The culture within the American Red Cross relies on effective communication, both internal and external, in order to facilitate relief to disaster areas seamlessly. With a healthy line of communication, this is accomplished without notice. However, when breakdowns occur, relief is delayed and magnified by the media.

Communication plays a major role in all organizations; however, in a nonprofit it is even more vital. Nonprofits rely on the government for grants as well as private donations from individual donors. One incident involving a breakdown in communication occurred following the September 11 attacks on the Trade Center and Pentagon. The American Red Cross’ President and CEO introduced the Liberty Fund on national television without following the organizations protocols. When she was asked specifically “What are you going to do with the money?” she was unable to give a...