Red Cross ousts leader after learning of affair with subordinate
This story is just hitting the wires:
The American Red Cross announced today that its Board of Governors asked for and received the resignation of President and CEO Mark W. Everson, effective immediately. Concurrently, the Board appointed Mary S. Elcano, General Counsel, as interim President and CEO.The married father of two was hired to improve the image of the Red Cross after criticism of how the charity responded to complains over their handling of the Katrina response. If you want to read his statement, go here.
The Board acted quickly after learning that Mr. Everson engaged in a personal relationship with a subordinate employee. It concluded that the situation reflected poor judgment on Mr. Everson's part and diminished his ability to lead the organization in the future. He joined the American Red Cross as President and CEO on May 29, 2007.
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Board of the American Red Cross, said: "Although this is difficult and disappointing news for the Red Cross community, the organization remains strong and the life-saving mission and work of the American Red Cross will go forward. Mary Elcano, who has ably served as our General Counsel for the past five years, will continue to provide leadership, stability and continuity until a successor is chosen."
7 comments:
I am aphauled, yes the affair was news worthy, I guess, but what has taken me back is the fact that he (or the President/CEO gets paid 500,000.00 a year..excuse me. I have always done what I can to support the red cross; however, that will stop. Dont ask for my money. Soory, I can see 100,000 but 500,000 heck no. Look at what good you could do with 400,000 dollars.
Would you take a position running a national non-profit organization for $100,000 a year? I highly doubt it. If you would then I suggest you apply for the position. Be sure to tell them that you are willing put up with people critizing every move you make, in turn making donations more difficult. All while your responsbilities to ensure that over 750 chapters and 35 blood centers nationwide are continuing to provide services to the vicitms of disaster, members of the military, individuals in need of blood, etc. You honestly think someone would do that job for only $100,000 a year?
Furthermore, withholding support only hurts the people in need when there is no money to help (I'm sure you'll be there to criticize the Red Cross when that happens too). I certainly hope you and your family aren't the ones in need...you might want to visit the Red Cross website to learn how to be prepared for a disaster so you can take care of yourself in case the Red Cross doesn't have the money to take care of you.
Stop criticizing and adding to the negativity of the world today. Why don't you use your energy to do some volunteer work for the Red Cross since you don't want to give your money anymore.
"I certainly hope you and your family aren't the ones in need...you might want to visit the Red Cross website to learn how to be prepared for a disaster so you can take care of yourself in case the Red Cross doesn't have the money to take care of you."
Ouch - along with anonymous #1, I withhold support from the Red Cross. Not due to executive salaries, but due to controversy after controversy and their response to Hurricane Katrina and Rita. I have served on the front lines of disaster recovery in both MS and LA. I have been over and over again, extremely disappointed with their response to the disaster and the rebuilding effort, especially when compared to the volume of donations brought in after the hurricane (let’s not even get to 9/11). While I was volunteering, I never saw the Red Cross out in the trenches helping along with the many other volunteer organizations.
I think the only thing that can save the Red Cross at this point is a total restructuring. They need to redefine their mission, those they serve, and how they plan on serving them.
JP
It is truly sad that anonymous #3 does not truly understand what he/she is writing about. I also served in the MS and LA after katrina made landfall and I saw what was happening on the ground for two months. Fortunately, I am in a position to make myself available to volunteer at that level.
I have worked for Salvation Army and other non-profits and have seen their hands on work and I have seen them working in areas where no one else is working.
The Red Cross has a solid mission and delivers services like no one else.
I suggest anonymous #3 add more facts so that we as readers have context to his statements.
The blood the Red Cross collected from blood drive does not flow to the wounded all over the world, but to the viagra expanded organs of their top executives.
Our law shall mandate that the top executives of charity organizations on the US soil shall all be volunteers. Here is a good example. See the blog posted by Stan Weinstein. My salute:
Look for charities that are completely without paid staff or fundraiser. They exist. The Baja Project For Crippled Children, Inc is such a non-profit and has existed nearly 30 years with a completely volunteer staff. No religious organizations or interests. We go to Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras and have performed thousands of club foot operations for less than $750 each, raising money through word of mouth and working out of our homes and offices. No CEO, no secretary, no paid fundraisers or staff, no money spent for other than a few stamps, a web site, medical supplies and surgical equipment, used only for these medical missions. It all goes to help the kids born with these deformities. Our volunteers pay their own travel expenses, and that is all there is to it.
Posted by: Stan Weinstein on December 25, 2005 06:58 AM
The saddest thing about our country is that almost every endevor, no matter how noble its name, is a business, driven by personal profit. Politics, union, religion, charity, you name it.
Altruism, spirituality, selflessness, sacrifice are all endangered species, if not already extincted.
This sense of "business" has been so deeply inbedded in our collective conscienceness that even we, who are being exploited, being taken advantaged of, feel normal as well.
Read the second anonymous post. Alas!
A nation without spirit is doomed. Like Rome.
There is a parallel between the founder of Red Cross Henry Dunant and the founder of Christianity Jesus Christ.
Both initiated a brilliant idea, both died in tragedy and from both foot steps mega organizations have been established, and systematically exploited for personal gains.
In both cases history is witnessing a process of continuous declining of spirit, sacrifice, idealism and altruism, continuous expansion of business, profit, greed and corruption.
Jesus promised to come back to take care of this mess. Will Henry come back too?
Post a Comment