SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012 ARLB012 ARRL, Red Cross Sign Memorandum of
Understanding

ZCZC AG12 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 12 ARLB012
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT March 30, 2010 To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB012 ARLB012 ARRL, Red Cross Sign Memorandum of
Understanding

On Thursday, March 25, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, signed a new
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Red Cross (ARC) at
ARC National Headquarters in Washington, DC. 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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

"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."NNNN/EX