Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL REC
GROSS
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER
SHIP
DEPARTMENT OF CIVILIAN
RELIEF
A r c 100 Supersedes institutional
Membership Circular A r c 1872
WASHINGTON, D. c., April is, 1917

hciency-In accordance with the present
movement toward Strengthening the
Red Cross in all directions. it is pur-
posed to increase the number of its in
stitutional members, and to give atten:
ton to the efficiency of the plans and
organization.
In the election of new institutional
members, the Red Cross will have due
regard for their efficiency. their com
mand of public confidence and theli
geogra phical location. The Red Cross
will present the plan of institutiona!l
membership to some of the strong and
efficient social organizations. in the be.
lief that these societies will feel that
they owe a duty to the Nation as well
as to their respective communities &c
accept this opportunity for service II
is unnecessary to dwell upon the lmpor-
lance of bringing to the administration
of relief in great emergencies the high
est skill and training which the country
affords.
In asking the cooperation Of social
agencies in this important work, 1t is
the expectation of the Red Cross that
this relationship will prove of value to
the organized charities of the country
They should find it a source of strength
and prestige in their own communities
1t is intended that the institutional
member shall be in integral part OF the
national organization and shall share In
the shaping of it's policies and the con-
troll of it's affairs.
With these purposes in mind. the
regulations which have heretofore gov
erned the WORK OF INSTITUTIONAL nltlllpeIS
have been revised and this new state
ment has been printed and distributed
for their information and guidance.
497. Origin of Institutional Member.
shlp-In 1905 the Congress Of the United
States granted a special charter to the
American National Red Cross The
fifth paragraph of Section of this
charter describing the duties OF the Or
Fifth. and to continue and carry on
a system Of national and international
relief in time of peace and to apply the
same in mitigating the sufferings
caused by pestilence. famine. fire. floods
and other great national CalamitieS, and
to devise and carry on measures Tor
preventing the same
The more effectively to comply with
this provision of the charter the Red
Cross determined to extend its organiza-
ton. 1t was regarded as essential &c
bring to the command of the Red Cross
for emergency work in the relief of dis,
tress following great calamitics, trained
service such as is to he found in the
ranks of Well-organiZed charity so
cieties in the larger cities of the United
States. In the furtherance of this OBJ
ject there was created an lnstltutional
Membership" of the American Red
Cross. into which. from time To time
have been invited certain of the more
efficient charity organization societies.
of the country.
Cross provide that charity organization
societies. when approved by the Central
Committee may become institutional
members Of the Red Cross. and that
each institutional member shall he en-
titled to he represented by delegate at
each meeting of the General Board,
The following provisions Of The by
laws with regard to institutional men,
bers are also pertinent.
% ta) Upon the occurrence of a
great calamity requiring immediate and
unusual measures of relief. the Direc-
tor General of Civilian Relief. as soon
as practicable. shall proceed to the To-
cality and direct relief operations Pend
ing his arrival. the Institutional Mem
lated by the Central Committee, shall
take such action as the circumstances
warrant An Institutional Member shall
*This is the complete title. The COM
mon usage is. American Red Cross.
The term charity organization So
ciety" in this connection is intended to
includes societies known as Associated
Charities Societies for organizing
Charity bureaus of Charity" and
other agencies conforming to recognized
charity organization principles and stan
dards.
not be required to collect funds for Red
Cross relief or to act in any other
capacity than as an agent in the appli-
cation of relief
lb) Upon call from the Director Cen
eral of Civilian Relief. an Institutional
Member, to the extent Of its ability.
shall send one or more trained agents to
assist in the Red Cross emergency relief
work in any part of the United States:
The necessary travelling expenses and
compensation of such agents shall be
paid by the Red Cross.
Co On December l of every year each
Institutional Member shall report it's
Committee and the National Relief
Board.
The first paragraph quoted above. au-
thorizing the institutional members un-
dor
Ito take such action as the circum-
stances warrant" conveys broad com
mission. This is intentional. for it is
quite as impossible to predict what par
ticular action must be taken to meet
the exigencies of calamity as it is to
predict what that CALAMITY will be.
the Red Cross, or by National Head
quarters. or by such other agencies as
may be created or accepted for the pur-
chapters and temporary committees and
through individual action. An institu-
tional member is solely an executive
agent
498. Responsible to the United States
Government-Under it's federal charter
as corporate body, the American Red
as well as to the public for its conduct
of relief operations, and the proper ex-
penditure of its funds, This RESPONSE
e ey the annn national Officers of the Red
Through the Department of Civilian Re
lief, the Red Cross. therefore, retains at
all times full authority over the dis
aster relief operations conducted by its
institutional members or other of its
agents or representatives. This au-
thority. is exercised by the Director
General of Civilian Relief or his repre-
sentative. but 1t will not be so en-
ployed as to interfere with the leader
snip of an institutional member. EXCEPT
499, Condition. ATTACHING En- r..,...
t1onal Membership-In order that the
such and be able to represent the Red
Cross. 1t is necessary that it shall COM
ply. with certain regulations, as well as
certain standards Of eficiehcy recor
nlZed by charity organizations Other
wise 1t cannot fulfill it's two-fold fupc-
tlon' (a) in case of local diSa ster to
take immediate action for securing. or
Ior itself providing, proper relief ac-
ton; and OBJ in case of disast else
where in the United States, to SUNNY
one or more trained agents for Red
cross emergency relief work
J.: 1t must stand high in the regard
dence and active support Of representa-
tive people.
2; 1t must maintain such relations
with leading philanthropic agencies
that 1t can assure their cordial and ac
tive cooperation in the conduct of
emergency relief measures Charity or
ganization societies have been selected
FOR institutional membership in the Red
Cross because they are committed 10 fhe
cardinal principles of cooperation aud
hold them to be Fundamental 1t js oh