How to Volunteer as a Board Member for the American Red Cross

In the American Red Cross, a volunteer board member serves as a managing partner for a local chapter, helping to organize fundraising efforts and coordinating operations with regional and national headquarters. Although volunteer board members are only required to donate an average of eight to 15 hours of their time per month, it is time devoted to the saving of lives.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Join the American Red Cross

1. Approach your local chapter of the American Red Cross and ask them if they have a need for more volunteers for board member positions. While there is usually a set protocol for working your way up through the organization to achieve board member status, you might be placed on the "fast track" if you have prior charity fundraising or management experience.
2. Start your work with the American Red Cross by volunteering for one-time or short-term assignments. Usually these type of assignments revolve around holiday fundraising activities, where a temporary increase of volunteers is needed. This may be an effective way to find out if you enjoy working with the American Red Cross and how well you work with the current board members.
3. Register with the skill bank of the American Red Cross in order to be properly assigned to specific activities within the chapter. With the skill bank, you simply list your skills, such as medical training or the ability to speak another language, and you will be asked to volunteer based upon your specialty. You can register in the skill bank database at any local chapter.
4. Commit to service as a volunteer for the American Red Cross once you have been approved for regular assignments. Generally, you will be asked to commit for a specific time period, such as a year. Once you have fulfilled this commitment to the organization, you may be considered for a board member position.
5. Ask for the recommendation of at least one other volunteer board member of your local chapter of the American Red Cross. You can find out more about how to contact your local chapter and express your interest in the volunteer board member position by logging onto the official website for the American Red Cross (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Currently there is a demand in the American Red Cross for people who can volunteer to help those who are over the age of 55.

Who Can Help: