Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08
Department of Chapters
ORGANIZING A CHAPTER
Circular Of Information
X { 149 Revised Mar. "a, 1917
276, ThOrOr0h

<,nx A"TfouHn ORGANIZATION Jmpor.
t ISants:-l. IT is important to understand
.ne form OF organization, principles and
ACTIVITIES OF the Red Cross Various cir
cuiars or information will be furnished
these.
. thorough, well-considered organization
Is Is OF more value to the society than haste
Inc persons selected for officers and an
executive Committee should acquire an
adequate knowledge of the Red Cross and
OF the functions of a Chapter before-not
aiter-the Chapter is formed.
277: Organization Committee. The
organization of Chapter should be di-
rectly in charge of a committee actively
interested in the Red Cross One person
cannot successfully carry out the whole
work OF organization. He can, however
arouse others to the need of Chapter
ana secure their participation.
Inc committee on organza ton must be
composed of persons of prominence and
public spirit who have the confidence of
the community. 1t should represent all
elements. including business men and
other men of large affairs. The Re l
cross is not women's organization, nor
a PHYSICIANS, nor a nurses. as is be-
leyed In various places. Its work is
sufficiently important, varied, and extern
sive 70 demand the voluntary service of
the ablest men and women of the COM
munity.
27a. Authority for organization-3.
The committee on organization must OBJ
tam authority to form Chapter from
the Director of the Division in which the
proposed Chapter is located Blank pc
tition forms will be furnished for this
purpose On the last page of this crcu-
lar will be found the states composing the
various Divisions, and the names of the
Division Directors.
279. Organization Meeting; Officers
4. When authority has been granted. the
committee on organization may call a
meeting for organization and the election
of officers and of a E,YacntiVa Com r1ttt tee
Oifcial authorization to organize and elect
officers is issued by the proper Director
of Division.
The officers of a Chapter are Chairman,
Nice-Chairman, Treasurer. and Secretary.
Each Chapter is required to elect an Ex-
ecutive Committee. 1t is usually advis-
able 10 have at least ten members on this,
including the Chairman Treasurer and
Secretary of the Chapter as ex-ofncio
members of the Committee.
All officers and all members of the Ex-
ecutive Committee and all members of the
Chapter must be members of the Rea
Cross.
The Secretary, who carries on most o.
the correspondence with National Head
quarters and keeps the records Of mem
bers. the Minutes of meetings, etc. should
have some facility for such work and
should be ready to give it the necessary
time and attention. AS the duties of the
Secretary, as fixed by the Central Com
mittee. are of such a nature that they
cannot be divided between correspond
ing and a recording secretary, only one
Secretary can be recognized by National
Headquarters.
Fer Treasurer it is we'll to select a man
who has banking connections and facili-
ties for receiving money, keeping &C
counts in good order. and making tinan-
cial reports.
800 Certificate of Organizations
A certificate of organization and election
for which n blank form will be provided
he n the Director of Ch3nteTS
through the channel indicated on the
same.
asl. Authority of Chapter. If the
organization of the proposed Chapter is
approved by the Director of Chapters, the
Central Committee will give official recog-
milton to the new Chapter, which thereby
becomes the local representative of the
American Red Cross within it's jurisdic-
ton and has authority over all Red Cross
activities therein. subject to the bylaws
and regulations of the Red Cross and the
direction of the proper national officers
2e2. Minutes-7 Minutes Of tn. the
by a secretary Of the committee on or
ganization. and documents pertaining &c
the same should be preserved and turned
over to the Secretary OF the chapter
These are an important part of Chap
ter's records. useful in preventing mis-
understandings, and of historical value.
asa. Name and Jurisdiction-S. The
name and jurisdiction of Chapter must
The name must be geographical and indi-
cative of the Chapters location. The
jurisdiction. which must be definite ter
ritory should be determined before au'
thority to organize is granted.
284. Reciprocal Representation with
Nursing Organizations-9 If there ex:
lists in the community local committee
on Red Cross Nursing Service or an or
ganization that employs Nurse OF the
Town and Country Nursing Service. those
who organize the Chapter should make
arraneements with such organization for
reciprocal representation on their respec'
tive governing boards.
235. Membership-1o: Membership
legations. although it implies loyalty tc
the Red Cross and such help as the mem.
bers can give. is distinct from enrolment
in special forms of service. such, FOR IN,
stance, as the Nursing Service. 1t Is OF
six classes. all . which, except Annua
membership. include subscription to the
Red Cross Magazine. In other respects
,bo privileges are the same.