VOLUNTEER CONNECTION
Volunteer Connection, also known as VC, is an American Red Cross website that operates in all chapters and Service to Armed Forces stations. It offers an efficient way for the Red Cross to deploy volunteers in a response to a disaster relief operation and provides tool for communications.
VC is a website that allows one to be connected and engaged, no matter what their location and no matter the time of day. A volunteer can manage their involvement by learning about, and apply for, opportunities. Volunteer time may be recorded on the site. Volunteers can keep-up-date on activities; such as meetings, blood drives, training opportunities, and even banquets and parties. Forms and photos can be shared. One can even keep track of their Red Cross training and certificates on the site.
The website log-in is located at: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/
THE AUTHOR
My name is Kimberly Matthews and I have been an American Red Cross Volunteer since 2008. My service has always been as an assistant to the Executive Director and Territory Manger. I perform clerical duties, work with the Disaster Action Team, assist with Blood Services, sheltering, training, and completing various other tasks that are needed. I maintain the National System for our area. I hold several Red Cross certifications and am always ready to learn skills.
The Volunteer Connection website was launch in my area in 2013. I still perform the various tasks listed above, but I also took on a role as a website administrator. This will allow me to continue to serve when office hours do not permit. This position is a dynamic one, so I am constantly learning.
One of my duties is to assist staff and volunteers on how to use the website. I have created Power Point Presentations on various topics when I do in person training. I have created Word documents that I would send to users with "how to" information. I even created an album in YouTube where I place a few videos that found during a search. To be efficient, I decided to create this blog to post information on "How to" topics. This will offer a static location of material that will allow volunteers to come here at their convenience, however often they need to review material.
This blog is a work in progress. I have an outline, but it is not set-in-stone. If I am asked for help on a topic I may jump ahead and blog on the topic in question, returning to my blueprint later. Therefore, please forgive me if some of my posts seem to have no order.
November 2013
