KNOW YOUR VOLUNTEER MANAGER!

As you get ready to respond during this hurricane season, your Volunteer Manager (Activity
Lead) is key in helping you move forward in your volunteer career. If you work in NYC Re-
sponse or as part of a DAT Team, connect with your Response Manager or the Disaster Pro-
gram Manager in your area. Volunteer Managers are your go-to for subject matter expertise
and will guide you as you pursue the Activities in Disaster Cycle Services. They will:
Connect you to helpful trainings
Introduce you to other members of the team
Invite you to informative meetings and meaningful events and generally serve as your
primary resource for all things Red Cross
Dont know who your Volunteer Manager is? The Workforce Engagement Team can help. Email
us atstaffing.gny@redcross.orgor just stop by and see us!

GET TRAINED
Your training will give you the information and the confidence to step forward and say yes
when youre called upon to help

Training options:
Online courses; log on wherever and whenever it fits into your schedule
Instructor-led courses; learn in a classroom setting, participate in discussions, ask ques-
tions, and meet other volunteers
Your Volunteer Manager will help you determine the courses that you will need for your desired
position

EXERCISE!
Exercises are offered periodically throughout the year. Whether its a drill, a small class envi-
ronment, or a full-scale regional exercise, you will:
Learn in a safe environment
Get the chance to practice and gain experience outside of your comfort zone
Increase your readiness for a large-scale response
VOLUNTEER CONNECTION
Using VC, you can:
Find and register for drills, exercises, training opportunities, and so much more.
Update your availability
Manage your profile and skills
Enter your own volunteer hours
Respond to our requests as disaster events occur around the country
AccessThe Exchange,the information hub of all things Red Cross
Complete a Health Status Record and update it as needed so we can keep you safe on a
national deployment.

GET A GAP!
What is a GAP?
It stands for: Group/Activity/Position and describes the position(s) that youve been
trained for during a relief operation

Choose your GAP based on your interests, Red Cross training, real-life experience, and the
type of work that you desire to do during a relief operation. Since operational needs can differ
from event to event, its good to have at least three GAPs in place so that youre better able to
help where needed.

BE READY
If a hurricane or tropical storm does impact our region this season, we will call upon our volun-
teers to support operations.

Being ready to step into your role when called upon means:
Keep training and experience current
Work with your Activity Lead to understand response plans and protocols
Mentor other volunteers to build team capacity
If you would like to take on a leadership role, talk to your Volunteer Manager about next steps.

CONSIDER NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT

You can respond to our requests as disaster events occur around the country in Volunteer Con-
nection.While youre assigned to a Disaster Relief Operation:
Deployment expenses are covered by the Red Cross (travel, lodging, meals)
Assignments are a minimum of 14 days
Must be ready to travel within 24 hours of being assigned
Must have a valid drivers license
Have an updated Health Status Record on file
When you express your availability todeploy, the Workforce Engagement Team will prepare
you with all of the information and resources that you willneed.
DONT WAIT

Have plans in place now to en-

sure that your home and family
are safe and secure during a
storm or other event.

Have everything youll need
ready so when the call comes, GET PREPARED
NOW
Once you know things are
okay at home, youre able to
help others.
youre ready to go!

Have conversations now with
your family, your boss, etc. so
they understand your desire
to help during this hurricane

The best time to gain experience in the field is before disaster strikes. Dont wait until the next
hurricane happens to get experience in the field. Start with something smaller, and start now!
When you get our message asking for help, say yes! Youll work as part of a team of volunteers,
practice your training, get the feel of things in the field and know that you made a difference
for people experiencing one of the worst times in their lives.

The Workforce Engagement Team is here to help you connect to the work that youve come to
do at the Red Cross. Our team will:
Assign you to local and national relief operations
Help you get registered for interesting and exciting planned events
Provide information and answer your questions as you continue on your Red Cross ca-
reer path

Sincerely,
Your DWE Managers

Joann Galardy Regional Director:Joann.Galardy@redcross.org

Jose Nieves Workforce Engagement Manager NYC:Jose.Nieves@redcross.org
Kayli Capshaw Workforce Engagement Manager NYC:Kayli.Capshaw@redcross.org
DJ Rosenthal Workforce Engagement Manager Long Island:DJ.Rosenthal@redcross.org
Mary Ellen Douglas Workforce Engagement Manager Metro NY North:MaryEllen.Douglas@redcross.org