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<H1>ARRL, Red Cross sign Memorandum of Understanding</H1>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>On Thursday, March 25, ARRL President <STRONG>Kay Craigie,
N3KN</STRONG>, signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American
Red Cross (ARC) at ARC National Headquarters in Washington, DC. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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."</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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."</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>"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."</FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>