The Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross is comprised of over 190 units of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross societies. The organization is primarily funded by two major entities, which is the Canadian government departments and the private donations inside and outside of the country (Canadian Red Cross, 2018).
Diverse Organization with Specialized Personnel
The Canadian Red Cross is a diverse organization with personnel trained in different specialities, including; disaster response, emergency response, outdoor activities like first aid, and injury prevention. Among the many beneficiaries, through the international framework of the red cross society, the Canadian Red Cross has been and continues to be of indispensable importance to the communities under disaster destruction, armed conflicts, and other vulnerable populations the world over (Babineau, 2013).
Principles Guiding the Canadian Red Cross
Typically, the Canadian Red Cross fundamentally functions under the umbrella of seven focal principles, which include; unity, humanity, neutrality, impartiality, humanity, voluntary service, universality, and independence. At the top of the leadership of the organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross is one Conrad Sauvé, the Chief Executive Officer who doubles up as the Secretary-General. Indeed, in order to exhaustively discuss the organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross, it is not only essential to highlight the individual positions of the executive and provincial categories but also imperative to discuss their respective responsibilities at the horizontal and vertical platforms of service delivery.
Organizational Structure of the Canadian Red Cross
The organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross is a complex which highlights the positions of the board of managers, the executive, and the junior officers that serve in different capacities. At the apex of the Canadian Red Cross is one Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO (Canadian Red Cross, 2018). Susan Johnson is the Senior Vice President, who also doubles up as the Corporate Secretary of the organization. The Chief Operating Officer at the Canadian Red Cross is Ann Clancy, who is intimately followed by Michel Léveillé, the Chief Communications Officer. One Sue Phillips serves as the Chief Transition Officer and hence serves as a parallel category with Sarah Hearn, the Chief Financial Officer. Samuel Schwisberg, Ronan Ryan, Almin Surani, and Jean-Philippe Tizi serve as the General Counsel, Chief Development Officer, Chief Information Officer, and the Vice President respectively. The positions of the Emergency Management, Vice President International Operations, Vice President Prevention and Safety, and Vice President Community Health and Wellness/ Vice President Atlantic Canada are served by Hossam Elsharkawi, Rick Caissie, Louise Castonguay, and Pascal Mathieu respectively. The Vice President in Quebec is Tanya Elliott, in Ontario is Shawn Feely, in Manitoba & Nunavut is Cindy Fuchs, and in Saskatchewan is Jenn Mcmanus while in Alberta & North West Territories is Kimberley Nemrava. Finally, the Vice President in Columbia & Yukon British is one Amy Mapara (Canadian Red Cross, 2016). Below is the structural flow chart showing the organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross;
Organizational Structure by the Canadian Red Cross (2016)
Roles and Importance of Volunteers and Staff
The organizational hierarchy of the Canadian Red Cross society is composed of many volunteers who have versed experience in nonprofit organizations, as well as tens of hundreds of dedicated staff. The highly trained and experienced team is therefore ready, able and willing to respond to emergencies whenever called upon (Canadian Red Cross, 2016).
Collaboration and Capacity Building
The support the Canadian Red Cross is prepared to offer is not limited to the local destinations but extends to different parts of the world. The structural hierarchy of the Canadian Red Cross is such that a commitment to both the short and the long-term needs are guaranteed. The cohesion between different stakeholders in the organizational structure has been fostered to cultivate a formidable ground upon which the rest of the Red Cross crescents in the country and the national Red Cross umbrella interact to operate mutually and offer sustainable support. Furthermore, the local communities, the staff, and the volunteers are an integral component of the organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross. In essence, all components are collectively recognized to maximize the quality of services the organization can offer in an effective and timely manner (Canadian Red Cross, 2018).
Focus on Learning and Change
Vertically, the organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross values the transfer of knowledge and insight and hence a framework of capacity building that advocates for teaching, training, exchange of skills, quality service delivery, and hence the goodwill much desired in the whole process. Typically, all partners across the organization play critical roles in contributing toward the program monitoring, management of volunteers, fundraising, policy making, and operational planning of the Red Cross society in the country. The organizational hierarchy and hence the structural development of the Canadian Red Cross goes beyond improvement capabilities. Instead, more focus is put on the need for supporting senior management and such critical pertinent processes to implement and manage the Canadian Red Cross's desired change (Canadian Red Cross, 2018). Some of the changes that can be supported include the policy development, organizing of new vision and mission strategies, adopting new operational principles, and addressing the controversial parts of the organizational structure.
Importance of the Organizational Structure
Indeed, the structural organization of the Canadian Red Cross is therefore as important as the organization itself to the beneficiaries, who in millions annually expect the passion, skills, commitment of the Red Cross society to meet their needs. Typically, because the environment in which the red cross societies operate are rapidly changing the world over, there is need to support the organizational structure of the Canadian Red Cross, to offer the personnel modern equipment, to train volunteers, to coach the staff, and offer the moral support that is required for them to continue delivering the services (Poulter & Baldwin, 2010). A modernized technology is a pivotal component of any Red Cross organizational structure, and such a strategy would ensure robust learning and reinforced surveying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, therefore, the Canadian Red Cross organizational structure is a fundamental component of service to humanity that is composed of factors like employee management, volunteer coaching and monitoring, leadership essentials, training and supervisory skills, as well as the entire insight desirable for disaster management. The structure has been organized in a manner that limits cost and expenditure while maximizing the rate of productivity, available opportunities, and quality service delivery; which is phenomenal. The Canadian Red Cross organizational structure is an essential, innovative, and progressive initiative whose transformative abilities have been undertaken for decades for the benefit of society. Right from the top of the hierarchy to the bottom, there is a seamless interaction amidst the different personnel, hence the interrelatedness that creates a mutual platform for all partners. Furthermore, the structure is a reflection of the mission and vision statements of the Canadian Red Cross, an integral occurrence not only for the benefit of the locals but also for the international beneficiaries beyond Canadian borders. Therefore, the Canadian Red Cross organizational structure has served to deliver the backbone of human service while averting the present and future challenges.
References
Babineau, J. (2013). Intorducing the Disaster preparedness calculator app. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.ca/blog/2013/8/introducing-the-disaster-preparedness-calculator-app
Canadian Red Cross. (2016). charts on the organizational structure of the canadian red cross - Google Search. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=charts+on+the+organizational+structure+of+the+canadian+red+cross&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjD6t2JwKjeAhXFPo8KHZ4aABgQ7Al6BAgAEA0&biw=1366&bih=654
Canadian Red Cross. (2018). Expect the Unexpected Program - Canadian Red Cross. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/for-teachers-and-educators-of-children/help-students-learn-about-and-prepare-for-disasters/expect-the-unexpected-program
Poulter, G., & Baldwin, D. O. (2010). Mona Wilson and the Canadian red cross. In Occupied St Johns: A Social History of a City at War, 1939-1945 (pp. 220–250).
