Mission and Vision Statement

Mission Statement

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Vision Statement

The American Red Cross...
Always there…
Touching more lives,
In new ways…
Under the same trusted Symbol

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Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross

Humanity:
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality:
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality:
It order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence:
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in their humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary Service:
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity:
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality:
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

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Historical Timeline

1863 – Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements are created in Geneva, Switzerland. The Organization was founded by Henry Dunant to aid those injured in war.

1864 – The Geneva Convention Treaty, a document that outlines humanitarian law, was supported and signed by twelve governmental representatives.

1881 – The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton and became part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The first Red Cross chapter was created in Dansville, New York.

1901 – The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Henry Dunant for establishing the International Red Cross.

1905 – The American Red Cross received a modified congressional charter, which is still in use today. This charter mandates the Red Cross is to provide relief for domestic and international disaster victims and communication services for members of the Armed Forces. (Every Red Cross chapter must do these two things, although many provide a much greater variety of community services.)

1910 – American Red Cross First Aid programs began.

1914 – Water Safety programs were established.

1917 – The Red Cross supported America’s involvement in WWI by supplying personnel and supplies where needed.

1918 – Influenza Pandemic killed 540,000 Americans. Red Cross personnel were requested by the government.

1919 – The League of Red Cross Societies was formed by Henry Davison.

1933 – The Red Cross eased hunger during The Great Depression.

1937 – The Red Cross began involvement with blood-related services.

1941 – The Red Cross offered aid to the wounded in WWII. The Red Cross experienced internal change and growth.

1948 – The first Blood Center was opened in Rochester, New York. It was supported by the American Medical Association.

1950 – The Red Cross collected blood for use in the Korean War.

1962 – The Vietnam War unfolds. The Red Cross aided returning veterans and Vietnamese refugees.

1980 – Technological advancement took place allowing for the computerization of the blood supply.

1985 – The Red Cross began testing for HLVIII antibodies, which reduced the risk of contracting AIDS by transfusion.

1993 – Torrential rain caused flooding in the Midwest. The Red Cross provided shelter and food.

2001 – The American Red Cross responded to terrorist attacks in Washington D.C., New York, and Pennsylvania, by collecting blood, managing funds, deploying volunteers to the site, and helping stranded passengers in various airports (Los Angeles, Boston, and Pittsburgh).

2004 – The American Red Cross responded to four major hurricanes that hit the Southeast United States in a period of six weeks. It became the most devastating and expensive natural disaster response in the history of the American Red Cross.

2004 – The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement worked to meet the unprecedented humanitarian needs in the wake of a catastrophic tsunami that affected more than 2.4 million people in 13 countries.

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Other Facts

• The United States Congress has mandated that all Red Cross chapters must provide services for the military and their families and provide relief assistance during all disasters, domestic and international.
• American Red Cross Headquarters is in Washington, D.C.
• There are over 800 chapters and 35 blood services regions in the United States; we also have Armed Forces Emergency Services stations and HUBs serving members of the military and their families in the U.S. and overseas.
• All Red Cross disaster assistance is an outright gift. It is funded by voluntary contributions from the American people.
• The International Red Cross has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize four times.
• The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international organization with societies in 176 countries. It is unique among voluntary service organizations because it was founded on a set of seven Fundamental Principles.

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Coverage area

• Dubuque County
• Clayton County
• Howard County
• Allamakee County
• Winneshiek County
• Jackson (upper third) County

• City of East Dubuque

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