0209 Newsletter

February 2009 Volume 1, Issue 6

American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Llyn Harrington, New Chief Operating Officer By Joyce Armour

us in welcoming Llyn J oin Harrington, our new Chief Operating Officer. Llyn comes to us with both Red Cross chapter and national strengths. He was Executive Director for eight years at the Ft. Wayne chapter (now the Northeast Indiana chapter) and Director of ARCOne with the American Red Cross. Llyn decided to return to chapter management because he believes there is more opportunity at the chapter level to have a bigger and longer lasting impact on the organization and the people we serve. Llyn’s goal for our already high-performing chapter can be summed up as continued process improvement. He is opening doors both individually and collectively, to enhance processes and improve on an already high-performing organization. Such changes do not suggest that we are doing things wrong; it is a matter of identifying more efficient and cost effective ways to our approach to delivering services and conducting business. His overall vision is to ensure the future success of the organization by improving systems and processes to reduce costs, while maintaining and enhancing quality. One way of accomplishing this is through shared services with other chapters. On a lighter side, Llyn’s hobbies include wood working, competitive archery, and snow skiing. Again, welcome Llyn to the Greater Indianapolis family.

www.redcross-indy.org

317-684-1441

Greetings from the FBCI Corner… By Jillian Luttrell and Justin Gray

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his month we would like to welcome Englewood Christian Church to the Faith-Based Community Initiative. ECC trained on January 10. Despite winter weather advisories, 25 enthusiastic congregants gave up their Saturday morning to become ECC’s Action Team. We really appreciate their determination and also want to extend a huge thank you for being such gracious hosts and engaged participants. We really enjoyed meeting all of you and getting to know your church a little bit better. Englewood Christian Church is on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. It has remained in that neighborhood since its founding in 1895. This commitment to their neighborhood and community was one of the major factors that drew Justin and I to ECC. ECC is a congregation that has learned to adapt to the changing landscape of the city and has taken the initiative to reach out to its neighbors facing issues such as housing, employment, and childcare. One of the unique components of ECC is the Englewood Community Development Corporation. The ECDC is a nonprofit organization which is church-driven but a separate legal entity from the church. Currently the ECDC owns and operates a lawn care service, a bookkeeping service, a bookstore, a PC repair service, and a commercial cleaning service. They are also involved in housing: the ECDC has aided over 25 households of various backgrounds in becoming residents of the local church neighborhood. We, at the FBCI, are very excited to be partners with such an engaged and dynamic church. It is great to see an organization rise to meet the needs of the congregants and community. We really look forward to further developing our relationship with ECC! You can read the complete story of ECC at their website: www.englewoodcc.com.

Emergency Services Newsletter

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Volunteer David Scott Receives Mayor’s Community Service Award

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n December 16, American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis volunteer David Scott was honored as one of the 21 recipients of the 2008 Mayor’s Community Service Award. “Today, we honored our city’s volunteers for their servant leadership and exceptional commitment to our community,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “These volunteers have dedicated years of hard work and service to helping their neighbors. Our city is better because of them, and it was an honor to be able to offer, on behalf of all citizens of Indianapolis, our deepest gratitude.” Each recipient’s name will be engraved on a brick to be placed at the Mayor’s Volunteer Plaza at the 11th Street Admiral Spruance basin on the Canal (information and quote from www.indy.gov).

Read about David’s service to our chapter in the essay compiled to nominate him for this award. The essay was written by Brad Schleppi, Terri Held, Heather Starr, and Kathy Wooten, and was compiled by Kate Ayers. David Scott receiving award from Mayor Ballard.

2008 Mayor Ballard’s Community Service Award Nominee: David Scott Over the past 15 years, David Scott has proved to be an outstanding, reliable, versatile, and compassionate volunteer of the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis. David is using his retirement to serve the community and has found that the Red Cross is the best fit for him. “When my wife worked for the Red Cross, I became more acquainted with the various services and how the organization helps the community. It is the perfect way to give back.” In an organization led by volunteers, David sets an example for all, not only by dedicating at least twenty hours per week, but also by his attitude of service and leadership. Since becoming a member of the Board of Directors in 2003, David has never failed to exercise his primary duty to be fiscally responsible and he is always cognizant of the needs of the chapter and community. David is an ambassador for the organization by providing support to other Red Cross chapters. Serving at a high-level has not removed David from the community. Instead, he sees the value of being involved as a hands-on volunteer. In fact, David is one of our most versatile volunteers. David plays two roles as a Disaster Services volunteer: he is an active member of the Disaster Public Affairs Team and an Emergency Response Vehicle driver. When disasters, such as last summer’s tornadoes and floods, hit Indianapolis and the surrounding area, David works with other volunteers and staff to inform the media and community about Red Cross relief activities. During a disaster response, David also helps to provide food and water to people affected by the disaster by driving the ERV to the sites of disaster and assistance. David does not only show his commitment to service during disasters; he is always active. As a driver in Transportation Services two days every week, David provides clients with transportation to medical appointments. These clients are typically low-income with no other reliable means of transportation. Some depend on the Red Cross for transportation to dialysis. Others are pregnant mothers who, without drivers like David, would sometimes forego these vital medical appointments. He also transports clients to physical therapy, which helps to improve their quality of life or enables them to rejoin the workforce. David is unfailingly kind to clients and patients under all circumstances. As a First Aid Team Leader, David helps to coordinate events and manage other volunteers. During the Indiana State Fair, he has the role of the First Aid Site Coordinator, a position that requires exceptional organizational and leadership abilities. David Scott is an exceptional volunteer who dedicates his time, energy, ideas, and talents. He is a role model and mentor for other volunteers. With a cool temperament and kind heart, he works hard to help people in his community in a variety of ways. With the experience of his hands-on volunteering, David provides guidance and leadership to the chapter. The concern and compassion he displays for the community are most noteworthy.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Kim Douglas by Adam Ansari and Kate Ayers

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f you are wondering how to get more involved with the Red Cross, Kim Douglas would be able to give you a few suggestions. Kim started volunteering for our Red Cross chapter over three years ago and hasn’t slowed down since. In fact, Kim has become more and more involved and now uses her time and skills to serve in several different departments. She is in the building two days each week helping Heather Starr with the daily operations of First Aid, including volunteer interviews and attending meetings as Heather’s standin when needed. As a First Aid volunteer, she works the State Fair, the 500 Festival, and many other events. Kim is also an instructor for CPR and Disaster Services, recently teaching two Fulfilling Our Mission classes. In addition, Kim is on the Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Marion County and the Mobile Feeding Response Team (MFRT). During larger disasters, Kim supports the Red Cross response by serving as a Health Services volunteer. We hope that you learn more about Kim from this article and are encouraged in your own Red Cross service.

ES: Wow. That is really amazing that you spend as much time with your daughter and still somehow find time to participate in all these activities around the community. What do you think you like most about volunteering? Kim: I like helping people in need. I think helping people in need is the most gratifying reward a person can receive. You may or may not receive a thank you, but just knowing you did something is worth it. ES: Well put. So, what is your favorite movie and book, and why? Kim: Tombstone and Man in the Iron Mask are my favorite movies. And why, hmm; Tombstone because it is historical and Man in the Iron Mask because … it is just a good movie. Favorite book, I like all Danielle Steele books for leisure, and for personal enjoyment I like a book called Personality Plus. It goes through all the different types of personalities that there are. I guess it helps me get along with a wider variety of people.

ES Newsletter: First of all, we want to thank you for taking time out of ES: Tombstone is my favorite movie too. Anyway, tell us something about yourself that other Red Cross volunteers might be surprised to your busy schedule to sit down with us. know. Kim: Oh, please. It is no problem at all; to tell the truth, this sounded Kim: I play BINGO, a good amount. I never won anything big kind of fun. though, probably because I don’t play a lot of cards, only like 24 or so. ES: Well let’s get started then, tell us how you ended up getting involved with the Red Cross? Kim: I had actually wanted to get involved with the Red Cross for a number of years before I officially became a volunteer about three and a half years ago. I had put all my paperwork in just prior to Katrina. I waited to be called and I ended up working at the shelter at the State Fair Grounds. Since then, I think I have just been in love with the Red Cross and volunteering.

ES: When you aren’t volunteering what do you do?

ES: 24 or so! Ha-ha, we thought you said not a lot. Ok, what is the most memorable experience you have had volunteering at the Red Cross? Kim: The night the tornadoes hit in June we had to set up a shelter at around 25th and Post Street. As we opened the shelter, Scott Newman, director of Public Safety in Indianapolis, was bringing an older lady into the shelter. He placed her hand in my hand and said to me, “I know you will take good care of her.” That was really awesome. The fact that he knew I, as a Red Cross volunteer, would take good care of a perfect stranger really meant something to me.

Kim: I spend a lot of time with my 23 year old daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy, a handicap affecting her physical motion. I’ve maybe thought about doing something further with my knowledge of ES: That is a very sweet story Kim. Alright, last question: if you could physical disabilities by teaching the “Serving People with Disabilities” give one piece of advice to new volunteers, what would it be? class here at the Red Cross. I also work as an EMT and teach EMT Kim: Be involved in as much as you can, it is extremely rewarding! classes at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Thank you, Kim, for your dedication and excellent service to the Red Cross!

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Red Cross Links and Resources American Red Cross on Facebook! http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/American-Red-Cross/24472055070

A recap of the 2008 floods on Crossnet. https://crossnet.redcross.org/news/chapters/fundraise/090106_FloodsTornadoesStewardshipReport.asp

You can find plenty of interesting topics on the national website. http://www.redcross.org

“Brush Fires in the Sky” Taken by Teresa Cummings on January 22, 2009. This view is from the parking lot of the Indianapolis Red Cross Building at sunrise.

Emergency Services Newsletter

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New Marion County DAT Members By Adam Ansari

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his month we would like to welcome 8 new members to the Marion County DAT team. They have completed all the required courses and will be serving Marion County by February 1st. These individuals include Gail Gainer, Jennifer Jansen, Lisa Herber, Margaret Mercer, Marian Byrd, Patricia Cox, Steve Schlegel, and Adam Ansari. The ES Staff wants to thank you all for your gracious decision to become part of the Disaster Service Team and we look forward to seeing all of you in the near future.

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elcome Madison County Disaster Action Team members! This is a bit overdue, but since last fall, nine new volunteers joined our ranks. Tom Ayers, Don Billey, Mike Burton, Steve Caves, Bev Graddy, Gayle Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Bryan Thomas, and Gerry Williams are now serving the Red Cross and their community as DATs. Most have already responded to numerous house fires. We are very glad to have them!

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Volunteer Newsletter Team Jenny Davidson and Brian Thomason