Nebraska-Iowa Region Newsletter
June 2022
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From the desk of the Region Executive |
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Happy Summer, Region Workforce Leaders!
I want to start by sharing my appreciation to everyone who played a role in carrying out successful Sound the Alarm events around our region. Volunteers, staff, and our partners took to the streets in neighborhoods in Iowa City, Des Moines, Hastings, Omaha (this Saturday), and several other locations to make homes safer. A lot of planning, organization and effort goes into bringing these events to fruition. I am grateful for the hard work and marvelous teamwork. You made a difference in communities throughout our region. Presence is mission.
I also want to say thank you to those who participated in the Engage! Survey. We had 93% of our employees complete the survey. As I’ve said before, our organization, and specifically our Region, places a high priority on giving everyone a voice. The input you provide will guide us as we plan for the next year and beyond. The outcomes of the survey will be shared with you once they become available. Our goal is to be the organization of choice for our workforce, paid and volunteer.
The Region Leadership Team is working with our Division colleagues on FY23 planning, identifying and clarifying goals, objectives and targets. This includes developing our budget, which involves building on learnings from the pandemic. Over the last two-plus years, we have found new ways to work efficiently and adapted services and processes that allow us to be good stewards of the donor dollar. Now, we must balance these learned efficiencies with the need for us to return to some of the pre-pandemic ways of doing business.
I am excited for what is ahead this next fiscal year, while remaining focused on finishing this year strong. I am daily proud of our collective accomplishments to include the recent Disaster Institute, meeting fundraising goals, and volunteer engagement to name just a few. The year ahead will include climate change initiatives, employee appreciation and stay interviews, and our volunteer readiness ramp up. Keep up the good work.
In May, I had the honor of giving the commencement speech at my alma mater, Mount Marty University in Yankton, South Dakota. My message focused on volunteerism and leadership. These are important parts of my life, and I am blessed to put my passion into action everyday with each of you.
Leading Passionately,
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We had an great Sound the Alarm signature event in Des Moines on May 14. More than 125 volunteers installed 309 smoke alarms, serving 456 residents. Many of our volunteers came from our partnership with Central Iowa Friends of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you to all of the volunteers, partners and staff for making the day a success! |
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The Disaster Cycle Services team is excited to announce Sarah Throneburg (soon to be Wollerman) will be the new Disaster Program Manager serving Territory 3 starting July 5, 2022.
Over the years Sarah has served with various nonprofit organizations, most recently volunteering with the Civil Air Patrol as Emergency Services Officer. She received her bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University in Social Science Education and is receiving her master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Not-For-Profit business from Olivet.
In June, Sarah will be marrying her fiancé Nic Wollerman who has recently accepted a job as a Spanish teacher in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Sarah and Nic currently live in Northeastern Illinois and will be relocating to the Omaha metro in the coming weeks. In her spare time, Sarah loves to be outdoors, flying (yes, she is a pilot), and reading. She is eager to get started and looking forward to meeting all the staff and volunteers from across the region.
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World Blood Donor Day
June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day to recognize volunteer blood donors and raise awareness of the need for a safe and stable blood supply. The day also serves as a way to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
There is no substitute for donated blood and summer can be a difficult time to collect enough blood to meet patient needs. Summer is a busy time for all of us with vacations, camps and other summer activities. Oftentimes, as our schedules fill up, things like blood donation falls off our calendars. But, the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break. Donors are especially needed now to ensure lifesaving care is available the moment patients need it.
In honor of the new Baz Luhrmann film, Elvis, all those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30, 2022, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP trip to Graceland for two, including a three-night stay at The Guest House, custom guitar and more; plus, a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. Terms apply. For more information visit: Elvis Giveaway
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Welcome Travis Adams
Travis Adams has joined the Nebraska-Iowa Region as the Biomedical Regional Donor Services Executive. Travis came to the American Red Cross in 2009 as a Mobile Unit Assistant (MUA) in the Minnesota/Dakotas Region. He quickly moved into a Collections Technician role and was quickly promoted to a Team Lead/Charge role. After one year as a Team Lead/Charge, Travis was promoted to a Team Supervisor where he served in that role for seven years. In 2018, he was promoted to a Collections District Manager and after two extremely successful years was moved into a Recruitment District Manager where he has been serving for the last year and a half.
Personnel Update
Trevor Oestmann has been named the Donor Recruitment District Manager role for the Nebraska Central and West district.
Trevor started with the Red Cross in March of 2016 as a Collections Technician until July of 2017 when he transitioned into the Donor Recruitment Department as an Account Manager. Trevor has experience and a strong understanding of Collections and Donor Recruitment and will help further create a more cohesive and collaborative Donor Services department.
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Service to the Armed Forces |
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Sevices to the Armed Forces: Did You Know?
Every day, the American Red Cross provides 24/7 global emergency communication services and other support in military and veteran health care facilities across the country and around the world.
- The Red Cross provides in-person support for troops on all military installations in the U.S. and on more than 35 overseas installations including the Far East, Middle East and Europe.
- Each year, the Red Cross provides nearly 550,000 services to service members, veterans and their families by leveraging our worldwide network of volunteers.
- Through our ‘Get To Know Us Before You Need Us’ program, we meet with enlistees and their families to share how our services can help before, during and after deployment.
- The Red Cross has been serving the military for more than 140 years and has deployed alongside military in every U.S. conflict since the Spanish-American War.
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Three-month Update on the Ukraine Crisis
Since the conflict in Ukraine intensified three months ago, families have faced unimaginable heartache. The Red Cross joined with our partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network to provide critical aid for individuals and families coping with this destructive conflict — both in Ukraine and in nearby European countries.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
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June 19 is Juneteenth, a national holiday commemorating the end of American slavery. It has been observed on June 19 since 1866. On that date one year earlier, enslaved people in Texas learned of the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery, through the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed two and a half years earlier 1863.
June 19 is also World Sickle Cell Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and the challenges patients face while battling the chronic condition. In the U.S., it is estimated that over 100,000 people – the majority of whom are of African descent – have sickle cell disease and may require blood transfusions throughout their lifetime to help manage their disease. Sickle cell disease distorts soft and round red blood cells and turns them hard and crescent shaped, which can cause individuals to experience extreme pain and face life-threatening complications. Blood transfusion is essential in managing the very real pain and long-term health of those with sickle cell disease. Having a diverse blood supply is one way to help ensure patients have ongoing access to compatible blood to help avoid serious complications.
As part of its Sickle Cell Initiative, the Red Cross is providing free sickle cell trait screening on all donations from self-identified African American donors. Donors can expect to receive results of their blood screenings one to two weeks after their donation through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
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NE-IA Milestone Hours Honor
Are you on track to be recognized as a NE-IA milestone hours honor awardee this fall? You have until June 30 to get your Fiscal Year 2022 hours entered and approved. Be sure all your worked hours are entered and approved in your Volunteer Connection Network account by June 30. FY22 worked hours will be added to your previous years hours. Once your accumulated worked hours reach Milestone Hour thresholds, you will be recognized as a NE-IA Region Milestone Hours Honor recipient this fall during our 2nd Annual NE-IA Region’s One Red Cross Recognition and Awards Celebration.
Last November, the NE-IA Region launched the special Milestone Hours Honor Award, recognizing the first cohort of volunteers with 100 or more accumulated and approved worked hours recorded in their Volunteer Connection account. Over multiple years, active volunteers earn a special Milestone Hours Honor status and pin upon reaching 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, and 5000+ hours of service. And we cap the Milestone Hours Honor Awards with a special 10,000+ hours pin.
Why recognize volunteer worked hours?
As a volunteer, your “worked” hours are foundational to the Red Cross’ ability to
achieve the mission. It is important our organization knows the number of worked hours NE-IA Region volunteers are contributing within our region, day in and day out, across all departments and lines of service. Logging Volunteer “Worked” Hours allows us to recognize, celebrate and thank you for the precious contribution of your time. In addition, logging worked hours are very important because aggregated hours are an indicator of the
organization’s readiness and ability to deliver the Red Cross mission; they help the organization better understand the number of volunteers who are engaged and delivering the mission within a defined time; and show our donors, community leaders and the public the quantifiable power our NE-IA Region volunteers. We look forward to honoring the many volunteers who will earn Milestone Hours Honor recognition this fall. We hope you are soon one of them.
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Find Volunteer Opportunities
The American Red Cross makes finding volunteer opportunities easy. Prospects entering the Red Cross website can choose to take a short quiz (preferred), search by keyword or title, or browse through our various types of roles. Check out the Volunteer Role Finder Quiz link and see for yourself. It will just take a minute.
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Know Your Supervisor:
There is a new feature in Volunteer Connection aimed at helping you identify your ssupervisor.
On your homepage scroll to the middle of the page and you will see the "My Positions" section. It will list 3 of your positions and show a link to the contact information for your supervisor.
Volunteer Services is working with each Department to make sure the information is up to date.
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New Volunteer Welcoming Gathering:
Wed, June 22 - 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Wed, June 22 - 5:30PM – 6:30 PM
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Volunteer Connection Lunch & Learn:
Volunteer Connection 101
Thurs, June 23 11:30 AM – Noon
Volunteer Services Recruitment Open House (weekly): Click Here to Sign Up
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Amy Olson (Omaha, NE) 5 Years
Ashley Beckman (Fremont, NE) 6 Years
Megan Berry-Barlow (Omaha NE) 6 Years
Anne Cooper (West Des Moines) 6 Years
Connie Jensen (Columbus, NE) 6 Years
Brenda Kamish (Moravia, IA) 6 Years
Bonnie Mumm (Kearney, NE) 6 Years
Ryan Patrick (Des Moines, IA) 6 Years
Linda Schueth (Kearney, NE) 6 Years
Randy Timperley (Norfolk, NE) 6 Years
Carol Winter (Columbus, NE) 6 Years
Jan Wolfe (Fremont, NE) 6 Years
Kristi Gale (Clive, IA) 7 Years
Laurie Schlitt (Lincoln, NE) 7 Years
Sue Flogel (La Motte, IA) 10 Years
J.R. Rother (Grand Island, NE) 10 Years
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Ray Decker (Vermillion, SD) 11 Years
Julie Hoffman (Marion, IA) 11 Years
Pat Stehly (Lincoln, NE) 11 Years
Nancy Woods (Des Moines, IA) 11 Years
Cristi Grusing (Firth, NE) 12 Years
Ben Hennecke (Lincoln, NE) 12 Years
Brad Bergeson (Tea, SD) 14 Years
Linda Brice (Lawton, IA) 14 Years
Vernon Brice (Lawton, IA) 14 Years
Tristan Grothe (Ottumwa, IA) 14 Years
Carolyn Lichtenwalter (Grand Isl, NE) 14 Y
Gerry Neuroth (Le Mars, IA) 16 Years
Matthew Armstrong (Grand Isl, NE) 17 Y
Diane Peyton (Hastings, NE) 20 Years
Mike Champ (Bellevue, NE) 33 Years
Theresa Rippe (Lincoln, NE) 36 Years
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Have Volunteer Connection questions or want to reach the Volunteer Services Team?
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New Online Form to Request First Aid and CPR/AED Training
Red Cross units requesting training courses, including First Aid/CPR/AED and Basic Life Support, should use this new online form.
The form requires an individual with an @redcross.org email address to complete it.
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Fleet Reminders
As we start using our fleet more often, please check vehicles out by using the Nebraska Iowa Reservations SharePoint Site. It is important to remember that Red Cross vehicles are a pooled resource to be used across the organization and are not dedicated to a location, program line, or individual (with the exception of certain biomed vehicles, ERVs, and ProMasters). Since staff and volunteers are driving more, vehicles may be checked out by remote staff from various offices. We don’t want to run into a situation where someone arrives to get a vehicle and it has been taken by someone who didn’t check the calendar.
If a Red Cross vehicle is not available speak with your supervisor and/or the other individual scheduled on the calendar to determine the best choice for using the Red Cross vehicle. Then, use the decision tool to determine the best alternative travel method (rental vehicle; other). The tool can be obtained by searching for the vehicle selection tool on the Exchange, from your supervisor, or from your fleet contact. Be sure to print a copy of the results and have it approved by your supervisor and submitted to your COO before your travel when not using a Red Cross vehicle. Travel by means other than a fleet vehicle will be a last resort and will need to be approved by your supervisor after all options have been evaluated.
And, lastly, please be considerate of all drivers who are using vehicles by following the below rules.
- Return the vehicle with a full tank of gas, whenever possible, and no less than ¾ of a tank immediately following your trip/event. Do not keep a vehicle overnight unless it has been pre-approved by a function lead.
- Remove all trash along with any other items you have brought with you to ensure the vehicle is ready for the next driver.
- Smoking and the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited while driving a Red Cross vehicle. When smoking, please use designated smoking areas instead of standing near the vehicle especially when doors or windows are open.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the ops team! Happy travels.
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Sound the Alarm Video
A special shoutout to Communications Volunteer Zach Mecham for producing a great video highlighting the history of Sound the Alarm in Iowa. The Sound the Alarm campaign initiated in Iowa before taking off nationally.
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Learn About Fundraising at the Red Cross
If you’re interested in learning more about fundraising, how it happens at the Red Cross, and how you can support this process, sign up for the next session of Fundraising Fundamentals to explore basic fundraising terminology, concepts and principles at the Red Cross.
Open to Red Cross employees and volunteers, including board members, the course takes place over two days (1.5 hours each day). The next session will be on June 23 and 24 from 11-12:30 p.m. CT.
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Eastern Iowa board members, Dale Kretschmar and Amy Wheatley helping with the Homes Made Safer event in Cedar Rapids on May 20 at the Roosevelt Apartments. Over 100 units were given gift bags containing information on home fire safety and prevention. |
On May 14, more than 125 volunteers took to the streets of Des Moines to make homes safer through smoke alarm installations and home fire education.
· Homes Made Safer: 163
· Alarms Installed: 309
· People Served: 456
Thank you to the volunteers who made the event a wonderful success.
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Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska Chapter |
We are looking forward to our Board Annual Meeting during which we will recognize our accomplishments for FY22 and look forward to FY23. We also are excited to welcome some new board members.
The Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, June 16 at 5:30. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to [email protected]
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Southeast Nebraska Chapter |
Southeast Nebraska Chapter Executive Director Steph Novacek has accepted an Interim Executive Director role with the Mid-Michigan Chapter. Steph will be supporting the Michigan Region full time for the next 12 weeks. |
During this time, Mark Barnfield, from the Illinois Region, will be the SENE Chapter Interim ED.
Mark joined the American Red Cross in January 2017, as a member of the Volunteer Services staff in the Illinois Region. He has more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit and has always worked collaboratively to support other members of his team.
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Omaha-Council Bluffs
Metro Area Chapter
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On May 20, we held a special breakfast to kick off our United Way campaign with our partner, United Way of the Midlands. Thanks to Josh and Briana for preparing waffles, and to Krystal for making sausage. |
Central and Western
Nebraska Chapter
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Ashley Furniture supported the American Red Cross home fire campaign by donating the 5% of proceeds. A huge thank you to Carson Rowh for being a champion of the American Red Cross in Central and Western Nebraska. |
Having a presence in our community is a vital part of what we do. We were at Anderson Jeep, talking about volunteer opportunities, talking about smoke alarm installation and visiting with people about preparing for their future, with our partnership with freewill.com. Did you know that Red Cross has a partnership with freewill.com, where you can make a will at no charge to you? What do you want your legacy to be? For more information, reach out to our gift planning officer, Char DeWitt at [email protected]
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On Saturday, May 14, we installed smoke alarms in Shelby, Nebraska. A huge thank you to Gina Troncone, Erin DeWitt, Owen Eickhoff, Tony Lipker and Alana Lipker for sounding the alarm and saving lives! |
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