SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012
ARLB012 ARRL, Red Cross Sign Memorandum of Understanding

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ARRL Bulletin 12  ARLB012
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  March 30, 2010
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB012
ARLB012 ARRL, Red Cross Sign Memorandum of Understanding

On Thursday, March 25, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed a
new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Red Cross
(ARC) at ARC National Headquarters in Washington, DC. The MoU, which
replaces an earlier Statement of Understanding that expired in 2007,
provides a "broad framework for cooperation" between the ARRL and
the ARC "in preparing for and responding to disaster relief
situations at all levels in rendering assistance and service to
victims of disaster, as well as other services for which cooperation
may be mutually beneficial."

The ARRL Board of Directors approved the signing of the MoU at its
January 2010 meeting following the completion of negotiations. The
Red Cross requires the completion of a criminal background check to
participate in Red Cross activities and provides a process by which
a volunteer may have a criminal background check performed at no
cost to the volunteer.

In the case of ARRL volunteers, the Red Cross has agreed to accept
an alternative process: ARRL volunteers may arrange, at their own
initiative and expense, to have the criminal background check
performed by a state or local law enforcement agency.

The Red Cross also has agreed that ARRL volunteers shall not be
asked or required to consent to credit checks, mode of living
investigations or investigative consumer reports in order to provide
a communications function.

The ARRL and the Red Cross encourage interested volunteers in their
respective organizations to become members and to participate in the
activities of the other organization. ARRL volunteers should be
aware that if they wish to become Red Cross volunteers, they may be
required to consent to additional background checks in accordance
with Red Cross policy that may include credit checks, mode of living
investigations or investigative consumer reports.

Per the MoU, "both ARRL volunteers and ARC workers will work
cooperatively at the scene of a disaster and in the disaster
recovery, within the scope of their respective roles and duties as
recommended."

During a Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation (DRO) and depending on
their training and qualifications, ARRL volunteers may perform in
one or more of several roles, including Amateur Radio Liaison,
Communication Equipment Operator, Communication Equipment
Installation/Repair and Disaster Assessment. ARRL volunteers who are
assigned roles by the Red Cross during a DRO will be provided with
Red Cross credentials as required by the role, consistent with Red
Cross policy.

"Because of the importance of emergency communications, we are happy
to be able to continue the League's long-standing relationship with
the American Red Cross," said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. "The
ARC and other served agencies give Amateur Radio operators the
worthwhile missions in our communities that allow us to thank
America for the privilege of being hams."
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