The American Red Cross is a volunteer-led organization that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross Movement, which was created in 1863 by Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman who saw the need for a politically neutral international relief organization guided by its mission. All of the Chapter's services are consistent with its charter and the fundamental seven key principles of the International Red Cross Movement: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Hampshire County Chapter History

The Chapter came into existence on October 7, 1915, 34 years after Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. In subsequent years Red Cross work in the 17 communities in Hampshire County was characterized by "accomplishments of even greater benefit and value to suffering people" and a vital component in what makes Hampshire County a healthy, desirable place to live.

In addition to local support services, the Hampshire County Red Cross has always served as a conduit to national and international relief efforts. Whether it's flooding here in the Connecticut River Valley or global famine relief efforts, the local Red Cross Chapter is connected to an effective and well-organized international relief organization.

Chapter Organization/Management

Currently, 446 volunteers and five paid staff members form the core of the Hampshire County Red Cross Chapter. Voluntarism is the core of the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross and all its local chapters. Every day, volunteers from the community help maintain the organization; a trained team of instructors teaches health and safety courses year-round; and another trained team of outstanding volunteers is prepared to provide emergency assistance throughout the county in the form of first aid, food, clothing and shelter at a moment's notice in times of disaster.

2006-2007  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Hampshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. The Board establishes policies within the parameters set by the national organization for the operation of the chapter. Currently, there are 13 members of the Board, representing the communities of Hampshire County:

CYNTHIA BOYLE --  Cindy is the Director of Community Education and Outreach for the District Attorney’s Office and a former police officer in Pittsfield.  She is the Chapter's Secretary of the Board.

JAMES BUTCHER – Jim has been the Chair of the Hampshire County Chapter’s Board for two years.  He previously served on the Board of the Franklin County Chapter.  He is currently a partner in the fundraising consultant firm of Butcher & Briggs. 

JULEE CLEMENT – Julee, Board Treasurer,  is the comptroller for Phillips Enterprises and has served as both the treasurer and the president of the Northampton Rotary Club.

RICHARD CONNER – Dick is the executive director of public affairs at UMass Amherst.  He has also been active with the Hampshire United Way and served on the executive board of UMass Hillel.

NANCY DUSEAU – Nancy is a longtime Red Cross supporter who has been a previous Board Chair for the Chapter.  She has gone on to serve on various regional and national committees and task groups.  She is co-owner of Duseau Trucking. 

KEVIN HALE – Kevin, Vice-Chair of the Board, is a Rabbi who also specializes in the restoration of rare Torahs, which is not only a great artistic endeavor but also esteemed as a highly sacred process.

WILLIAM HOGAN – Bill is the President of  Easthampton Savings Bank.  He  serves on many local and national boards of directors.  Locally, he was the 2002 chair of the United Way Campaign.

MICHAEL HURST – Mike is a chartered fund consultant who provides personal and fee-based account management for clients.  He has served on the Hampshire United Way Board, the parish council of St. Francis Church, and was the prior president of the Belchertown Business Association.  He has also coached boys and girls basketball teams.

ELYSE LICHTENTHAL – Elyse is currently a junior at UMass Amherst.  Two summers ago she worked as an intern with the National Office of the American Red Cross, helping to develop a special program involving international humanitarian law.  She has also served as an officer for the UMass Red Cross Club, as well as with UMass Hillel.

PIP STROMGREN – Pip recently retired as the marketing director for the Daily Hampshire Gazette.  She is actively involved in the arts community of Amherst.

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

BRIAN DUGGAN – Brian is the Fire Chief for the Northampton Fire Department and a leader in emergency management for Hampshire County.

RACHEL MOORE – Rachel is the Director of Planned Giving for Williams College.  She is a former chair of the chapter’s board of directors. 

JAMES ROSS – Jim is the owner of JDR Builders.  He has been on the board of directors.  He, or a member of his family, has been involved in the leadership of the Hampshire County Chapter for over fifty years.  His mother, Tash, was one of our most devoted volunteers (check out the side of our emergency vehicle for one way she was honored).

ELLEN STORY – Ellen is a State Representative from Amherst.  She has previously served on the chapter’s board of directors.

Paid Staff Members

Ronald Speakes, Executive Director

Ron, who formerly served as the Director of Volunteer and Youth Services at Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington, DC, has been the executive director of the Hampshire County Chapter since January 2000. As the executive director, Ron is responsible to the Chapter's board of directors to carry out all services of the chapter as an arm of the American Red Cross. He is responsible for all paid and volunteer staff, financial management, fund-raising, public relations and quality of programs and services. Before going to National Headquarters, Ron served as a Red Cross federal response disaster planner for the Pacific Islands, the field service manager for Wyoming and the emergency services director for the chapter in New Orleans. He also has served with the Red Cross armed forces emergency services.

Mary Snyders, Emergency and Volunteer Services Director

The Emergency Services Director is responsible for a variety of Chapter programs, including blood services, disaster services, armed forces emergency services (AFES), veterans assistance, and international social services. The Director of Volunteers oversees volunteer recruitment, placement and recognition.

Mary Snyders has been on the staff of the chapter since 1988, serving as the Emergency Services Director since 1990 and Director of Volunteers beginning in 1997. Besides teaching disaster response classes and community disaster education programs. Ms. Snyders is also the Massachusetts Hurricane watch manager, and she serves on several community councils including the Western MA Regional - Local Emergency Planning Committee. In 1993, she was honored with the Tiffany Award for Employee Excellence from the American Red Cross Field Service. In 1992, she was chosen Woman of the Year by the Hampshire County Business and Professional Women Association.

TJ Schmith, Director of Health and Safety Services

TJ started volunteer work at the chapter when she was 16 and joined the staff in 2003. In addition to her administrative duties, she gives HIV/AIDS informational presentations to area agencies, is the liaison for instructors and authorized providers and works with local agencies to assist the homeless as part of the chapter’s Homeless Transition program.  She is an HIV/AIDS education, CPR/AED & First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Pet First Aid Instructor.  She is also a member of the Disaster Services Team

TJ has a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in phytopathology.  She continues to teach microbiology part-time at a local community college.

Ellen Hoffman, Administration Coordinator

 

Leading-Light Cabinet Members

Kay Sheehan (Co-Chair); John Coull (Co-Chair); Carol Moore Cutting; Dennis Lee; Anawumi Jean Moss; Tini Sawicki

 

2005 American Red Cross  Hampshire - Franklin County, Massachusetts          Last Update: 09/ 18/ 2007

For Site suggestions/comments e-mail us at info@redcrosshampshirecounty.org