American Red Cross Diversity
Recommendation #430
, #430 Target Agencies/Organizations
Recommendation
ARC must do the following if it is to improve its relationships with and better serve diverse communities: Diversify executive staff and Board of Directors.
Background
As our nation continues to experience rapid demographic changes, the organizational structures of institutions, especially those closely aligned with the federal government, are expected to reflect this diversity and “look like” America. In order to accomplish this feat, ARC must take steps to incorporate more Latinos and other ethnic minorities in its executive staff and Board of Directors. Until it diversifies its senior management and governing body, the culture and responsiveness, or lack thereof, will remain unchanged. (20)
Due to its rigidity, both in structure and attitude, American Red Cross (ARC) failed to recognize some of the critical needs of the communities they were serving, which stemmed from both a lack of diversity within ARC's staff, board, and volunteer corps and a lack of knowledge and experience with diverse communities, resulting in several of the organization's mistakes during the response phase. (9)
