Subject: Red Cross background checks - a change in program

You can share with your team at ARRL the following information
that I think will ease many of their concerns about the Red Cross background
check program. The text below is taken from a message sent by Jack McGuire,
Interim President and CEO and Kate Forbes, National Chair of Volunteers:

"On December 22, 2006, we announced that the background check deadline was
extended until March 31, 2007 and that a leadership team would examine
specific aspects of the program so that they were better understood and
accepted across the organization. This week, we approved key modifications
to the program, specifically related to the consent form. We believe these
changes respond to legitimate concerns and still maintain a strong
organization-wide background check program.

The following summarizes the changes:

* A new consent form will be developed that eliminates all
references to credit checks and mode of living.

* The Red Cross will not run future credit checks or mode of living
checks on anyone who has signed the previous consent form. The Red Cross
will consider that consent form null and void as to the credit check and
mode of living authorizations, and promises not to conduct a credit check on
individuals unless we obtain a second consent form from them authorizing
those checks. Mode of living checks will not be conducted under any
circumstances.

* In an effort to establish and maintain consistency across the
organization, Jane Gilbert, Senior Vice President, Service Area Support,
will convene a working group to establish an ongoing credit check policy
that will define which positions require a credit check in the future and
how to evaluate credit checks for those positions.

We listened to your concerns and feedback and determined that adding another
consent form in the event that a credit check is needed best met the needs
of our volunteer force.

All other aspects of the program remain unchanged, including the deadline of
March 31, 2007, by which all employees and volunteers must undergo and clear
a background check. Employees and volunteers who have not cleared a
background check by this date will no longer be able to serve with the Red
Cross until they do so."

Thanks for all that ARRL members do for the Red Cross, both at the Chapters
and across the Red Cross organization. I hope that this change to our
program eases some of your concerns and that we'll continue to work together
for the benefit of our neighbors.