January 15, 2008
     
Media contact only
Ellen Maremont Silver       
Director of Marketing & Communications
(707) 577-7632   esilver[at]arcsm.org

American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties, Named One of the Top Performing Chapters in U.S.

American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties, is one of four California chapters to achieve recognition as a “highly performing chapter” from the national American Red Cross. The local chapter, one of the top 38 in the country, was ranked in the top five percent of a total of 720 chapters nationwide for 2007/08. Only three other California chapters achieved the “highly performing” ranking.

 “We are so proud that our local Red Cross has been recognized in the very top tier of Red Cross chapters,” said Vern Losh, Board Chair. “That means clients are receiving the help that they need following local disasters, and donors can trust the efficiency and dedication of our local chapter.” Losh also noted, “The Chapter’s commitment to partnerships, both with government and non-governmental agencies, has a positive impact on the safety and response to local disasters in our two counties.”

The Red Cross itself, a nationwide network of committed volunteers and staff, is recognized by the Better Business Bureau as meeting 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

To achieve this designation, the Sonoma and Mendocino Counties chapter was scored on a comprehensive set of performance criteria through the Chapter Performance Improvement Standards system. The criteria for measuring performance are based on various Red Cross programmatic, service and financial expectations including initiation of local response, preparation and training, recruitment of volunteers, fundraising and the cultivation of critical relationships.

Chapter Standards include:

Readiness and Response:  To ensure the Red Cross has nationwide capability of responding to disasters in any location.

Reach: To increase the number of people receiving training, information and services from the American Red Cross.

Fundraising: To retain existing donors while increasing those donors’ annual gifts through relationship-building efforts.

Fiscal Management:  To manage programs and create operating efficiencies to ensure financial stability and adequate reserves. Chapters should strive for diversified revenue sources.

People: Recruitment, retention and utilization of a sufficient number of skilled volunteers (all of whose background checks have cleared) needed to support chapter operations and achieve chapter’s annual growth plan.

Community Awareness and Partnerships: Establishment and maintenance of effective partnerships with community groups, businesses, governmental agencies and media.

American Red Cross, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties has approximately 600 volunteers and 10 employees.