By Karen Searle

In September, the Red Cross hosted leadership symposiums for youth who aspire to join or form Red Cross Clubs during the 2022-23 academic year. An in-person symposium was held at the Government Services Building in West Chester, which was attended by 12 youths who represented many different high schools in Montgomery and Chester counties. Several advisors, parents and Red Cross volunteer coordinators were also present. An additional symposium was held virtually for students in Philadelphia.

The symposium in West Chester was an informative and engaging meeting for the youth who learned more about all the Red Cross services. The program lasted about three and a half hours and the youth enjoyed a light dinner and desserts while they were engaged in the program.

Kristen Worman, a volunteer who serves as the Youth Engagement Lead for the Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania, emceed the event and presented the youth with an overview of the Red Cross Clubs, along with the requirements and expectations of being in a club.

“It’s exciting to see the Red Cross Clubs coming back this year after some were dormant during the pandemic,” said Kristen, who oversees all of the region’s Red Cross Clubs and the six volunteer cooridnators that work as liaisons with the schools and students. “People are back in person, and they know they’re going to stay back person, so the clubs can be more solid in their planning and do more.” Clubs have until Oct. 31 to register for the academic year, and she anticipates that around 25 clubs will be active.

During the event, Kristen explained the requirements of establishing a Red Cross Club in the students’ schools: ensure that they have at least four active members; have an advisor, who must be an adult over the age of 18; secure approval from their school administrator; and have members register on Volunteer Connection, which is the Red Cross digital volunteer platform. The clubs also need to submit a constitution annually and must communicate with their sponsor/coordinator by email regarding their notes and rosters. Clubs are also encouraged to hold at least three activities per year. These can be blood drives, supply collection drives or fundraisers, among others.

The symposium followed a set agenda, and many Red Cross department leads presented valuable information regarding each of their services. They included Jamie Boris from Service to the Armed Forces, Megan Beachy from Biomedical Services, Cissy Wang from International Humanitarian Law, and Sean McKee form Volunteer Services.

Along with these Red Cross Service leads, Vamsi Nandaurin, a junior from Downingtown High School, attended and spoke about his Red Cross Club experience. Vamsi has been engaged in his school’s club for about a year and a half and provided participants with great insight on how to get their clubs going.

The youth were very engaged in the program and asked great questions of the presenters. The evening ended with giveaways and incentives to help get the youth leaders off to a good start with their clubs.

Get involved

Red Cross Clubs provide an avenue for young people in middle school, high school and college to apply knowledge and skills to help their communities in need. Check with your school’s activities director or click here to see if your school has a registered Red Cross Club already established.  

If your school does not already have a club established, contact our Red Cross Youth Engagement Team at SEPAyouth@redcross.org to learn more about starting a club at your school or exploring alternative ways that you can support the Red Cross mission.