A Note from ARCAN President, Mary Buszuwski

Hello Red Cross Alumni!

It’s such a great time to be a part of ARCAN! Since we launched in June, dozens of members have been joining and renewing at an exciting pace. There is new energy—I’m sure you’ve felt it—and a ramping up of participation as we create more and more opportunities for all of us to connect and engage.

Membership has long been our foundation of support, but we need your help to reach the next level and create a truly thriving community where we can support each other and the spirit and mission that unite us. As the year draws to a close, I hope you will consider making a financial gift to ARCAN.

The ARCAN Board has nominated four new candidates to join our Board of Directors beginning January 2025. We’ll reach out to members this month with the slate of nominees and instructions on how to vote. 

Finally, I’ve been recovering from hip revision surgery the past couple of months that is taking much longer than expected. I want to thank ARCAN vice president Becky McCorry, secretary Joan Pankey, treasurer Mark Hague, past president Harold Brooks and the Board for their extra efforts and seamless operations in my absence.

Happy Holiday Season!!!

Please help me welcome our newest ARCAN members:

Deepest condolences go out to Dick’s family and loved ones...

Esteemed former American Red Cross President, Richard (Dick) Francis Schubert (November 2, 1936 – July 12, 2024) passed away in Fairfax, VA.

Services will be held on September 28, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the McLean Presbyterian Church, 1020 Balls Hills Road, McLean, Virginia.

A graduate of Yale Law School he served as U.S. Under Secretary of Labor. He was formerly president and vice chair of Bethlehem Steel; Founding Chair of International Youth Foundation and Peter Drucker Foundation; a founding board member of Management Training Corporation; and chaired the National Job Corps Assn and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

Following Dick’s retirement in 1982, he was president of the American Red Cross, from 1983-1989, at a time when the organization was threatened with a potential fiscal crisis. Gaining a reputation as a tough but fair president with a strong business orientation, he reorganized national headquarters, promoted improved staff performance, introduced strategic planning to help guide the organization into the future, and led the Red Cross into the computer age. During his tenure, the Red Cross also began a major AIDS public education initiative, built the Holland Laboratory for Biomedical Sciences in Maryland, and diversified the sources of its funding support.

See the full obituary  here:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/richard-schubert-obituary?id=55749349

This year it seems we are in a “summer of change.” Have you felt it? Embarking on our journey to transform ourselves into an alumni network is definitely one of the best changes! As of the writing of this newsletter ARCAN has 36 new members since we launched a few weeks ago on June 11. This is two and half times the number of new members that joined in all of 2023. And while a number of those up for membership renewal seemed to be waiting  for the ARCAN launch, the high rate of re-ups since June 11 also shows strong support of the changes. It’s so good to be growing!

ARCAN’s new social media channels are becoming a real gathering place, boasting more than 600 members on our Facebook group and more than 500 followers on LinkedIn! They’re sparking great conversations as group members post photos and share memories. We’re also getting valuable feedback through the platforms that will help us plan programs and gatherings. Follow the links to join the conversation. 

The new website is also seeing a huge upswing in visitors who are finding updated stories about alumni, Red Cross news, career articles, retirees and more. Explore what’s new!

I also know most of us have been feeling the impact of our changing climate this summer. I remember when summers here in upstate New York meant days in the 70’s and “heat waves” were temperatures in the low to mid 80’s and the chance to head to a local lake or the town pool to go swimming. Red Crossers have spanned the nation this summer in response to weeks of blistering heat, tornadoes where they shouldn’t be happening, wildfires that defy their seasons, and the earliest U.S. hurricane landfall in recorded history. 

On July 1, the new President and CEO of the American Red Cross, Cliff Holtz, shared his intention to prioritize the climate crisis. His vision includes “building on the Red Cross's strong foundation to adapt to the growing frequency and intensity of disasters, and developing sustainability efforts with a focus on underserved communities across all service delivery.” See the story below. We are looking forward to working with Cliff and in support of the Red Cross under his leadership.  

We’ll also be helping ARCAN members get ready for disasters and emergencies of all types in our July webinar. Elizabeth Bubel, senior associate of preparedness, will walk us though the newest and upcoming features of the American Red Cross Emergency App as well as answer technical questions. Register through the Event listing.  

A summer of change and so much of it real progress. We hope you are encouraged to find new ways to connect and engage with your fellow alumni. We can't wait to see what the fall brings!

Mary

American Red Cross Alumni Network launches member organization for former Red Cross employees 

The American Red Cross Alumni Network (ARCAN) launched today as a member organization for former employees of the American Red Cross. President, Mary Buszuwski, welcomed members transitioning from the Retiree Association and prospective new members on behalf of the Board of Directors. 

"ARCAN has great promise – new purpose and relevance offer potential to rally Red Cross alumni and grow our membership, and with that, our ability to support one another and influence change to make a positive difference through our Red Cross channels, and in so many other ways.

"The transition from a retiree association to an alumni network has been years in discussion and months in development. I want to congratulate all of us today – with special thanks to our board and committee members -- and encourage you to keep your sleeves rolled up! Today’s launch is just the beginning."

Buszuwski highlighted some of the organization's new offerings. The new name and mission come with a full toolkit of marketing and communication components for everyone to explore: 

• A new  website  welcomes potential members with a theme of CONNECT, ENGAGE and INSPIRE, and alumni stories, programs and resources for members
  
• Please note that the website is at a new domain –  redcrossalumni.org 
  
• New ARCAN  LinkedIn  and  Facebook  pages are currently public, but strictly monitored, to allow members to build community. Please join the conversation!
  
• Social Media 101 – Our Comms/Mktg team will host a workshop,  June XX, at XXXX,  to help members connect with ARCAN, friends and colleagues via Facebook and LinkedIn
• The ARCAN newsletter has a fresh new look and content designed to engage our broader membership, while also keeping the focus on what has always united us.

Please remember to share the news about ARCAN with Red Cross friends and colleagues who may be interested in their new eligibility to join.