American Red Cross
Human Resources:
2025 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
Employees: 30,000
President and CEO: Gail McGovern
Website:
http://www.redcross.org
Career Site
If disaster strikes, the Red Cross is usually
there. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization,
led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster
and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Whether an earthquake, flood, or house
fire, the Red Cross is committed to saving lives and easing suffering.
The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross
and follows its principles and guidelines.
The Red Cross responded to events in 31 states, opening more than 283 shelters, providing 3.2 million meals and snacks, and distributing 1.5 million relief items from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011. Globally, 8.6 million people in 24 countries received disaster assistance.
The Red Cross is also the largest supplier
of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across
the nation. The Red Cross is independent of government but works
closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during
major crises.
The American Red Cross is headquartered in Washington with 700 local chapters. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations. The agency says 91 cents of every dollar is used for humanitarian services and programs.
In 2011, the Red Cross reported revenues of $3.4 billion. Contributions made up 26% of total revenues or $914 million.
History
Clara Barton (1821-1912) helped found the
American Red Cross, which was modeled after the International
Red Cross. She did not originate the Red Cross idea, but she
was the first person to establish a lasting Red Cross Society
in America. She successfully organized the American Association
of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. Created
to serve America in peace and in war, during times of disaster
and national calamity, Barton's organization took its service
beyond that of the International Red Cross Movement by adding
disaster relief to battlefield assistance. She served as the
organization's volunteer president until 1904.
The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when
Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody
battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria
and the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or
dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical
attention. Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers'
wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called
for the creation of national relief societies to assist those
wounded in war, and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.
In October 1863, The International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement was created in Geneva, Switzerland,
to provide nonpartisan care to the wounded and sick in times
of war. The Red Cross emblem was adopted at this first International
Conference as a symbol of neutrality and was to be used by national
relief societies. In August 1864, the representatives of 12 governments
signed the Geneva Convention Treaty. The extraordinary efforts
of Henry Dunant led to the eventual establishment of the International
Red Cross. Today, the Red Cross Movement incorporates the Geneva-based
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International
Federation), as well as National Societies in 175 countries,
including the American Red Cross of the United States.
Benefits
- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- Disability insurance
- Healthcare reimbursement accounts
- Defined benefit pension plan starts after one year of service
and vests after 5 years.
- 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
- Paid time off including sick and leave of 19 days per year
for new emloyees
- 8:30-5:30 pm office hours with one hour for lunch. Flexible
work schedules available.
- Business casual dress policy
- Pre-paid legal services
- Employee assistance program
- $70 per month commuting benefit in DC
- 10 holidays observed per year
Updated October 24, 2012
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