|
Business Leader, Nonprofit Volunteer to Head the American Red Cross
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April 08, 2008
 Gail J. McGovern, a successful business executive and proven nonprofit fundraiser, was today named President and CEO of the American Red Cross. McGovern, who held top management positions at AT&T Corporation and Fidelity Investments, has experience running large organizations in competitive industries, and a track record for improving business performance and service delivery to the public. Currently, she teaches marketing at the Harvard Business School.
“Gail McGovern brings outstanding leadership skills from the private sector, coupled with a deep commitment to volunteerism,” said Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Board of the Red Cross. “With a passion for our noble mission and the people we serve, Gail will ensure excellence in all areas of Red Cross service. On behalf of the entire Board of Governors, who voted unanimously to approve her selection, we warmly welcome Gail to the American Red Cross family.”
“It is an honor to be asked to lead the American Red Cross, the helping hand to so many people in times of disaster and crisis,” said McGovern. “I am humbled and inspired by this incredible humanitarian network of thousands of volunteers, workers, and supporters serving their neighbors in communities across our Nation and world. I look forward to joining them and am committed to the long-term growth and success of the Red Cross and its life-saving mission.”
McGovern has been recognized twice by Fortune magazine as one of the most powerful and influential women in corporate America. She spent 24 years (1974-1998) at AT&T where she began as a computer programmer and rose through the ranks to the second largest job in AT&T, Executive Vice President of the Consumer Markets Division. In that position, she had direct responsibility for residential long distance and internet services, servicing 75 million customers, generating $26 billion in revenue and overseeing 40,000 employees.
Joining Fidelity Investments in 1999, McGovern oversaw all retail distribution channels in 85 locations. A year later, she became President of Fidelity Personal Investments and was responsible for 4.5 million customers, $500 billion in assets, and 10,000 employees.
McGovern became a member of the Harvard Business School faculty in June 2002. In 2007, she was appointed to the chaired position of the MBA Class of 1996 Professor of Management Practice and teaches in the MBA and Executive programs.
Over the years, much of her volunteer time has been devoted to nonprofit fundraising. As a member of the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Campaign Executive Committee at The Johns Hopkins University, McGovern and her colleagues kicked off a $2 billion, seven-year campaign. The development team exceeded that goal two years ahead of schedule and has now increased the goal to $3.2 billion. Her fundraising activities also include events for Children's Hospital Boston, Dana Farber, and the United Way of Boston. She also serves on two for-profit boards: the Board of Directors of Hartford Financial Group and DTE Energy.
Born in 1952, McGovern received her Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University in 1974. She received an MBA from Columbia University in 1987. She currently resides in Boston with her husband and 18 year old daughter.
McGovern will start with the American Red Cross on June 23, taking over from Mary S. Elcano, who is serving as Acting President and CEO. Ms. Elcano will return to her position as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In addition, the Red Cross recently announced that Jeffrey T. Towers, a veteran fundraiser with more than 25 years experience in the non-profit sector, will become Chief Development Officer for the organization. In this role, Towers will be responsible for the overall fundraising efforts of the charity.
March is Red Cross Month
Change a Life, Starting with Your Own
 March is a time to raise awareness of the humanitarian work of the American Red Cross, and to recognize the many supporters who make our services possible through community partnerships, and/or gifts of time, money and blood. As honorary chairman of the Red Cross, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to declare March as Red Cross Month in 1943, beginning an annual tradition. (Read George W. Bush’s presidential proclamation of March as Red Cross Month in 2008.)
Do You Know? The Red Cross performs a critical role in our community, nation and world by providing aid and support to people in times of urgent need. Though chartered and authorized by Congress, the Red Cross is not a government agency. It is funded entirely by donations.
The Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters each year through a national network of chapters, including the Metro Atlanta Chapter, the largest in the Southeast. It also collects and distributes 40 percent of our nation’s blood supply; delivers life-saving training; assists our military and their families; and provides international relief.
 Join Us. You’re invited to stand with Red Cross representatives from across the state on Wednesday, March 19 at 11:00 a.m. as Governor Sonny Perdue proclaims March as Red Cross Month in Georgia. A photo opportunity with the governor will follow a brief presentation on the North Wing steps of the Capitol.
More Ways to Celebrate Red Cross Month
Thank You. During Red Cross Month, and all year through, the Metro Atlanta Red Cross is grateful to our Hometown Heroes – caring people like you – who make our humanitarian work possible in this community. Here are just a few examples:
Gifts of Time
 Last Year, Red Cross disaster action team volunteers like these responded to 880 local disasters, primarily fires, but also events ranging from flooding and hazardous-material releases to mass transportation incidents. They provided immediate help for 5,823 people, including food, clothing the replacement of eyeglasses and hearing aids, emotional support and other basic necessities. Sixty-eight local volunteers also gave 14,400 hours of their time on national disaster assignments, including 13 volunteers who helped with the devastating California wildfires.
Become a Red Cross volunteer.
Gifts of Money
 Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, chairman of the national Board of Governors of the American Red Cross (seated center) was in Atlanta recently to share her vision for the Tiffany Circle, a new women’s leadership network and giving society that benefits the work of the Red Cross in metro Atlanta. Among the guests were several founding Atlanta Tiffany Circle members – local women of influence from the business and social community who share a passion for making a difference through the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. They are (pictured left to right): Pam Jones, retired, vice president for advertising, AT & T/ BellSouth; Gina Genz, owner, Etc. East boutique; Jan Martinez, president, Ashford Management Group, Inc.; Randy Satterlee, president/ CEO, VanRan Communications Services; Suzanne Detlefs, chief people officer, ChoicePoint; Liz Blake, senior vice president of Government Affairs, Advocacy and Legal for Habitat for Humanity; and Teresa Claugus, long-time Red Cross supporter.
Become a Red Cross financial donor.
Gifts of Blood
 Last year, the Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region collected more than 285,700 pints of blood from Georgia blood donors, who in turn saved up to 857,000 lives through their selfless generosity. The blood is distributed to approximately 130 hospitals in Georgia.
Become a Red Cross blood donor.
Back to top
Atlanta's Red Cross Plays Major Role in New National American Red Cross Ad Campaign
Atlanta’s Red Cross has an especially good reason to celebrate the national launch of a new, two-year Red Cross public service advertising (PSA) campaign in January-February 2008! The television component of the PSAs “stars” local Red Cross volunteers and staff from the Metro Atlanta Chapter and Blood Services Southern Region (Douglasville).
Approximately 45 people – among them disaster volunteers, board members, customer service reps, CPR instructors and caseworkers – participated in the filming of the “Change a Life” PSAs in Atlanta. The ads show how lives are connected through the Red Cross, and how helping others can also bring great personal satisfaction through donating blood, making a financial contribution for disaster relief, or saving a life with CPR.
“We’re thrilled that our local volunteers and staff will be helping to tell the Red Cross story nationwide through the new ad campaign,” says Metro Atlanta Chapter CEO Tim English. “Theses are dedicated people who truly represent the life-changing work of the Red Cross happening every day in our community and across America.”
In addition to television spots featuring Metro Atlanta Red Cross volunteers and staff, the Change a Life campaign also includes radio, print (newspaper and magazine), online banner and out-of-home (billboards, airport dioramas, etc.) advertising.
Preview Change a Life public service ads
Back to top
American Red Cross Stresses Fire Safety Preparedness
The American Red Cross urges families to prepare for a home fire every month of the year. According to a recent poll by the Red Cross, four out of five Americans are unaware that home fires are the most common disaster in the United States, and only 26 percent of families have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
Fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and yet four out of five Americans are unaware that fires are the most common disaster in the U.S. and only one in four (26 percent) households have a home fire escape plan.
(Photo Credit: Stock/American Red Cross) |
Since fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, the Red Cross urges families to develop a fire escape plan and to take steps toward fire prevention and safety.
"Every year in metro Atlanta, home fires are the single most common disaster threat," said Nancy Brockway, Chief Program Officer for Metro Atlanta's Red Cross. "The Atlanta Red Cross responded to 842 home fires last year in 15 counties and provided 1,883 families with immediate emergency assistance. It's vital for all families to plan for a potential fire, and the good news is that it won't require a lot of expensive equipment or training," said Brockway.
Preparedness is especially important for the very young and the elderly, as they are disproportionately more affected by home fires. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Fire Administration, although young children make up about 7% of the country's population, they account for 14 percent of home fire deaths. Adults 65 and older face a risk twice the average, while people 85 and older have a risk that is three-and-a-half times more than average.
Cooking and Heating- the Leading Cause of Home Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room of the home. The leading cause of home fires is unattended cooking, followed closely by home heating fires.
A recent Red Cross poll found that nearly half of American families use heating alternatives such as a space heater, fireplace or wood/coal stove to stay warm, and the U.S. Fire Administration reports that alternative heating sources are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths.
"Colder weather is just around the corner and, unfortunately, we expect the number of fires to increase," said Brockway. "We're hoping we can spare many families the painful experience of home fires by sharing some basic safety information now."
To prevent heating-related fires, the Red Cross recommends that you keep all potential fuel sources, including newspapers, matches, clothing and bedding, at least three feet away from heat sources such as a space heater or fireplace, and follow the manufacturer's instructions on how, when and where to safely use heating equipment.
In addition, the Red Cross recommends that a fire escape plan include at least two escape routes for every room in the home, and a convenient meeting place at a safe distance from the fire. Escape ladders should be stored near windows in floors above ground level, and all family members should know how to use the ladders safely. Families should practice their escape plan at least twice a year.
Simple Steps to Prevent Fires
-
Provide constant adult supervision during cooking or in rooms with lit candles or fires. Do not leave burning candles unattended.
-
Keep matches and lighters away and out of reach of children.
-
Teach young children to tell an adult if they see matches and lighters and not to touch them.
-
Teach adolescents to resist peer pressure and not to play with fire if curious or bored.
For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information visit, www.atlantaredcross.org
Back to top
First Aid for Fido from the American Red Cross
Manual helps dog lovers meet health and safety needs of four-legged loved ones
The American Red Cross is known for helping to keep metro Atlanta residents and their families healthy and safe. Now with “Dog First Aid,” its guide to preventing, preparing for and responding to canine emergencies, the metro Atlanta’s Red Cross is spreading the word that it can do the same for our four-legged loved ones as well.
“Dog First Aid” explains emergency care procedures for dogs in simple terms. The 116-page, full-color book also includes a companion DVD and features step-by-step directions for topics, from giving medication to administering CPR and rescue breathing. The book retails for $16.95 and is available for purchase online at www.redcrossstore.org
There are 44 million dog owners in the U.S. “Homes with dogs should not be without this book,” points out Lynn Housley, program specialist for the Metro Atlanta Red Cross. “We know pet owners enjoy a very special bond with their pets - they’re part of the family. Just as with people, accidents and emergencies can happen to pets and being prepared by knowing what to do could make a life-saving difference.”
Tips from “Dog First Aid” include:
- The best way to recognize and respond to an emergency is to know what is normal for your dog and know how to recognize an emergency.
- To determine dehydration, pull up on the skin at the back of your dog’s neck; it should spring back to the normal position immediately.
- It is crucial to keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date. Puppies require a series of inoculations. Take your adult dog to the veterinarian at least yearly.
“This manual is another lifesaving resource that supports our mission of keeping metro Atlanta and their families healthy and safe,” said Housley. “It’s a perfect addition to home reference libraries and makes a great gift!”
The book “Cat First Aid”, which is the next volume in the “Be Red Cross Ready” Safety Series for pets will be available in November 2007.
For more information, call the Red Cross Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter at (404) 575-3730, option #3, or order online at www.redcrossstore.org
Back to top
|
