Question
Description ofMPA Capstone Learning and Professional Development Portfolio Assessment Rubric : The rubrics articulate fundamental criteria for each intermediary competency, which combined form the main
| Description ofMPA Capstone Learning and Professional Development Portfolio Assessment Rubric: The rubrics articulate fundamental criteria for each intermediary competency, which combined form the main competency, as one of five central learning outcomes for the MPA program identified by NASPAA. Each competency comprises descriptors and indictors for different levels of attainment. At a novice level, the student understands the competencies and objectives. At a developing level, relevant skills are being acquired. At a proficient level, relevant skills are being acquired and practiced with additional supervision or guidance. At an accomplished level (meets the standard and exceeds the standards), the tasks are performed to demonstrate the competency. The instrument is intended for program-level use in evaluating learning and assessing competency development. The rubric is used as part of the portfolio development in the MPA capstone at UCF. | |||||
| 1 | Ability to lead and manage in public governance |
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| 1a | Develop expertise on local government | Does possess limited capacity in understanding local government operations. Does not demonstrate a clear understanding of what distinguishes government from businesses and nonprofits. | Can provide a basic articulation of how different social sectors are governed; Can explain in basic terms what governance is and why it is important to local government. | Can illustrate how governance dynamics as they unfold within specific social sectors and across social sectors play a role in the execution of public policies in particular cases and local government contexts. | Is able to evaluate the trade--???offs and synergies that persist within sectors and across sectors; Can make recommendation for the design of new governance arrangements for local government. |
| 1b | Develop an ability to lead and manage within multiple networks of stakeholders | Does not understand the basic operations of systems and networks; Cannot explain why understanding PA cases and contexts in terms of networks is important. | Can provide a basic overview of what network structures are and illustrate how they are evident in particular cases and contexts. | Is able to undertake an analysis of a complex public administration issue, problem or context using basic network frameworks. | Can apply network frameworks to existing cases and contexts to derive working solutions or feasible alternatives to pressing administrative and policy problems. |
| 1c | Reinforce democratic principles and practices | Does not demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between democratic principles in Public Administration. | Is able to explain in simple terms why accountability in public administration is important to democratic systems. | Can illustrate how accountability in public administration in a democratic society persists within particular cases and contexts. | Is able to critique the extent to which a robust accountability framework in public administration is evident in particular cases and contexts. |
| 1d | Produce consensus or consent among diverse stakeholders | Cannot provide explanations for why and how collaboration and conflict persists within individual organizations and between organizations in public service settings. | Is able to provide a set of examples of where collaboration and conflict persist within single organizations and between organizations. | Can illustrate how collaboration and conflicts arises within organizations and between organizations, ascertaining how they come about and what may be done to improve the effectiveness of collaborations and/or overcome conflicts in particular cases and contexts. | Can not only illustrate the drivers of collaboration or conflict in specific contexts and cases, but can also prescribe solutions for conflict and/or avenues to foster deeper collaboration by using negotiations, for example. |
| 1e | Model the skills and power of leadership (including transformational, transactional, and servant) and utilize principles of public management | Cannot distinguish between command and control structures from horizontally arranged administrative structures; Cannot generalize why one form of leadership is better than another. | Can distinguish between types of leadership and surmise, which types of authority is working in particular cases and contexts. | Can illustrate how leadership persists within specific cases and contexts and level critiques as to the efficacy of particular administrative arrangements. | Can not only illustrative how leadership plays itself out in specific cases and contexts, but can offer alternatives to those arrangements perceived to be less effective or efficient. |
NASPAA Universal Competency 1Ability to lead and manage in public governance with UCF MPA Program Learning Objectives
| 1. ability to lead and manage in public governance | 1a. Develop expertise on local government | 1b. Develop an ability to lead and manage within multiple networks of stakeholders | 1c. Reinforce democratic principles and practice | 1d. Produce consensus or consent among diverse stakeholder | 1e. Model the skills and power of leadership (including transformational, transactional, and servant) and utilize principles of public management | |
| PAD 6053Public Administrators in the Governance Process | I | I | I | I | I | |
| PAD 6035Public Administration in the Policy Process | M | I | R | M | ||
| PAD 6700Research Methods for Public Administration | ||||||
| PAD 6037Public Organization Management | M | R | M | I | R | M |
| PAD 6701Analytic Techniques for Public Administration | ||||||
| PAD 6227Public Budgeting | M | M | I | I | ||
| PAD 6207Public Financial Management | ||||||
| PAD 6417Human Resource Management | ||||||
| PAD 6335Strategic Planning and Management | M | M | R | R | M | R |
| PAD 6062Advanced Concepts and Applications in Public Administration | M | M | R | M | M |
I need these in bold, I have attached the paper I have written at the bottom of the screen, The top of this is supposed to answer the first two questions as well.
Competency/capacity addressed:1c. Reinforce democratic principles and practice
Criteria I have met:Is able to explain in simple terms why accountability in public administration is important to democratic systems.
Summary of Paper
Relationship to measures from above
Suggestions for improvement of paper
PAPER BELOW
Introduction
The American Red Cross is a non-governmental organization that operates on a non-profit basis and is committed to delivering aid to individuals affected by calamities. The institution boasts a lengthy track record of effectively addressing calamitous events, and it possesses a firmly established cadre of volunteers and assets. Nonetheless, the American Red Cross has faced censure for its inadequate handling of resources in the context of disaster response endeavors. The significance of resource mismanagement lies in its potential to substantially affect the efficacy of disaster response. Mismanagement of resources may result in delays in providing aid, insufficient relief, and resource wastage. The adverse consequences of disasters can be profound for individuals who have already been rendered vulnerable. The matter of mismanagement of resources within the American Red Cross has been previously recorded. Following Hurricane Katrina, the organization faced criticism regarding the tardiness of its response and the absence of collaboration among various relief organizations. Furthermore, the entity has faced allegations of financial mismanagement, prompting inquiries into its capacity to proficiently oversee resources in subsequent periods. The objective of this manuscript is to scrutinize the factors contributing to the mismanagement of resources at the American Red Cross and to propose potential remedies. The present study will commence by furnishing a comprehensive outline of the American Red Cross and its overarching objective. Subsequently, the present discourse will explicate the significance of resource management in the context of disaster response, as well as the variables that may lead to the mismanagement of resources. The study will culminate by presenting recommendations on how the American Red Cross can enhance its resource management strategies. The study will utilize a diverse range of resources, encompassing scholarly literature, journalistic pieces, and official publications from governmental entities. The study will culminate with an analysis of the consequences of the results for the American Red Cross and other entities that engage in disaster response.
Organization Background
The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 in the state of Washington D.C. by Clara Barton, a nurse who had volunteered with the international Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War. The organization provided many opportunities for volunteers and incoming professionals can increase their knowledge in the first-air response industry as the American Red Cross provided nursing programs, allied health programs, and first aid treatments. (Avril, 2020) The American Red Cross received their first large donation during the late first world war of $400 Million dollars in funds which helped with program and materials needed. The American Red Cross specializes in preventative and safety measures as well to save the quality of life. The American Red Cross focuses on five core areas which are disasters, military, issuing supplies, health and safety education and relief programs. (Our federal charter) The organizations first major achievement was providing relief to victims of the Galveston hurricane in 1900. Since then, the American Red cross has responded to numerous disasters, including the Great Depression, World War II, Hurricane Katrina, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Such organizations are faced with many hurdles during hardships like where to focus most of the resources or how much resources to spend when a disaster occurs. There is a substantial amount of donations, but it is finite.
Governing Structure
The American Red Cross is an independent non-profit organization that uses it's funding and resources for charitable causes. The American Red cross is governed by a board of governors that is composed of 15 members which is appointed by the President of the United States. The board of governors is responsible for setting the organization's policies and overseeing the operations. The day-to-day operations of the American Red Cross are managed by a President and CEO. Voluntary public contributions such as donations are vital sources of funding for non-profit organizations such as The American Red Cross because it is not a federal associated agency. (American Red Cross History) If the services are high in cost the federal or state government aids under certain circumstances such as the Ombudsman program which facilitates confidential and voluntary acts that create satisfactory solutions as well as broad range of options to resolve issues within compliance.
Goal Analysis
Mission Statement
The American Red Cross mission statement is "The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.???"(Mission & Values, 2023)
Goals and objectives
The American Red Cross wants to relieve human suffering in times of need through efforts such as (Mission & Values 2023):
- People affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter, and hope.
- Our communities are ready and prepared for disasters.
- Everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products.
- All members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed.
- In an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
The organization has an abundance of foundations and companies that help with financial ability to assist in these ways. They have five mission areas which are prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery and thirty-two core capabilities that address the greatest risks to the nation. Fundamental principles of the global Red Cross Network are Humanity, Impartiality, neutrality, independence, unity, and universality.
Stakeholder Analysis
The American Red Cross has a variety of stakeholders including its Donors, Volunteers, Employees, Clients, Government agencies, other humanitarian organizations. The American Red Cross's stakeholders have a variety of concerns, including donors want to make sure their donations are being used effectively, volunteers want to make a difference in the world, Employees want to work for an organization that makes a difference in the world, Clients want to receive the help they need, Government agencies want to ensure that the American Red Cross is meeting the needs of it's clients and other humanitarian organizations want to collaborate with the American Red Cross to provide relief to victims of disaster. Internal stakeholders consist of staff and volunteers, board of governors, and external stakeholders consist of disasters, blood donors and recipients, training program participants, and military families and service members.
| Internal Stakeholder | |
| President | Invest their time to manage and control the organization's operations such as: fundraising, service projects, project ideas, recruitment, finances, and more. The "ARC" President Gail McGovern has used transformative initiatives to sustain and improve financial stability, use of materials, and to establish national friendships with other countries. |
| Chief | Executive figure within the management department who plays a vital role in strategic planning. Chief positions vary from: finance, diversity, transformations, operating, human resources, innovation, & marketing/ communications. |
| Counsel | The organization's primary attorney. A general counsel is known to provide adequate legal advice and representation regarding the organization's actions and policies. |
| Human Resources | A specialized department that primarily deals with management, recruitment, and payroll. This division focuses on several principles such as leadership, performance, training, skill set, potential, & employment. |
| Finance | A unique division that handles the organizations funding. They are responsible for collecting and distributing for projects and services. |
| External Stakeholder | |
| Donors | Associations, government agencies, and individuals who provide monetary donations. The organization heavily depends on donors for financial support as they considered to be a charitable cause. |
| Volunteers/Interns | People who support and provide unpaid labor for the organization. Volunteers are the building blocks for the organization as they provide resources and material collectively to those in need. |
| Supporters | Those who contribute to the organization by efforts of advertising, social media, donating, volunteering, and more. They are loyal to the organization. |
| School/Education | Institutions provide information regarding the organization and what it stands for. Schools incite students and faculty about the noble causes and opportunities this organization has to offer. Institutions offer health and safety courses that are provided by the "ARC". Programs with "ARC" affiliation are offered through institutions to demonstrate and inform the public of basic lifesaving skills such as vital signs for instance or CPR. |
One major managerial issue of the American Red Cross is themismanagement of resources during disaster response efforts. This issue refers to the problems associated with effectively utilizing and allocating resources such as funds, volunteers, and supplies during emergencies. Inefficient allocation of resources, The American Red Cross has faced criticism for its ineffective allocation of resources during disaster response efforts, resulting in delayed or inadequate assistance to affected areas. This problem can be analyzed using the concept of resource allocation and optimization. Organizations need to allocate their resources effectively to maximize their impact and minimize waste. In this case, the American Red Cross might have struggled with identifying the most critical needs, prioritizing resource allocation, and ensuring that resources are distributed in a timely and equitable manner. Lack of coordination and communication there have been instances where the organization failed to effectively coordinate with other relief agencies, resulting in duplication of efforts, wasted resources, and confusion among the teams involved. Coordination and communication are fundamental aspects of effective disaster response. The failure to coordinate efforts and communicate efficiently can be examined through theories of organizational communication and coordination mechanisms. The organization may have lacked clear communication channels, shared situational awareness, and formal coordination structures with other relief agencies, leading to duplication of efforts, confusion, and inefficient resource utilization. Poor decision-making the organization has been criticized for making decisions that were not aligned with the immediate needs of the affected communities, leading to a mismatch between the resources provided and the actual requirements on the ground. This issue can be analyzed using decision-making theories. The American Red Cross may have made suboptimal decisions due to biases, limited information, or flawed decision-making processes. Decision-making frameworks such as rational decision-making models or bounded rationality theory can be applied to identify where decision-making processes fell short and to suggest improvements.
There may have been a lack of competent leaders and managers within the organization who possess the necessary skills to effectively manage resources during high-stress situations. The issue of resource mismanagement can be attributed to the absence of effective leadership and management skills. Theories of leadership and management can help identify the specific capabilities that were lacking. For instance, transformational leadership theory could highlight the need for leaders who inspire and motivate their teams to adapt and excel during crisis situations. In some cases, the organization may have failed to gather accurate and timely information about the nature and scope of the disaster, resulting in inadequate planning and resource allocation. The concept of situational awareness, particularly in high-stress situations like disaster response, is crucial. The organization may have lacked real-time information on the evolving needs of affected communities and the available resources. There are many theories that can be a tool for leadership to obtain to better manage the work environment as well as high pressure situations that the American Red Cross faces. One of the best theories is the Situational theory. This is a theory that puts the correct leader for what the situation entails. A leader can be more hands-off if the group of workers and volunteers are experience, and the situation involves less supervision or a more telling approach when the workers or volunteers are less knowledgably of the work environments. There are four assessments that can be key points inn selecting the leader which are "consider the relationship, consider the task, consider the level of authority and consider the level of maturity"(Cherry, 2023).
| Component | Problems | Causes | Consequences and Effects | Challenges and Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inefficient allocation of resources | - Delayed or inadequate response | - Lack of situational awareness | - Increased suffering of affected communities | - Organizational design and change |
| Issue of resource mismanagement | - Wasted resources | - Insufficient leadership and management capabilities | - Financial losses | - Leadership and motivation |
| Lack of communication | - Inadequate communication and collaboration channels | - Decreased organizational capacity | - Communication and collaboration | |
| Lack of coordination | - Duplication of efforts | - Lack of situational awareness | - Reduced trust from donors and stakeholders | - Organizational design and change |
| Realtime information - | - Confusion among teams | - Inadequate communication and collaboration channels | - Negative perception of effectiveness | - Communication and collaboration |
| Poor decision making - | - Mismatch between resources provided and actual needs | - Lack of situational awareness | - Damaged reputation and donor confidence | - Decision-making and problem-solving |
| Lack of leadership - | - lack of mismanagement during high pressure situations | - Insufficient leadership and management capabilities | -time and resource wasting, confusion among the teams | -Need skilled leaders to continue helping the communities |
The American Red Cross faces challenges in resource mismanagement during disaster response efforts. This includes inefficient allocation, lack of coordination and communication, and poor decision-making. The causes include insufficient leadership, inadequate situational awareness, and ineffective communication channels. These issues result in a delayed or inadequate response, wasted resources, and negative impacts on affected communities. Possible solutions are improved resource allocation and planning, strengthened coordination and communication, and enhanced leadership and management capabilities. Based on an objective analysis, a recommended approach combines improved resource allocation and planning with strengthened coordination and communication.
The Regulation of Non-Profit Organizations
It can be perceived while non-profit organizations are not subjected to tax fees and other entities that would diminish the title. However, many non-profit organizations suffer financial indiscretions and inadequacy is imposed on them. This is due to a lack of oversight and regulation to prevent these inefficiencies from occurring, as a result causing non-profits such as the American Red Cross to suffer gravely. Organizations that are known as "associated charities" are not dependent on generating a profit with their revenue source, as the revenue pool it utilizes to give back to society.
The organizations have reliable income resources from donors, endowments, and government facilities; however, these funding sources only make up one part of the revenue. Oftentimes donors of this type of caliber are interested in supporting the project itself rather than contributing to the organization. The organizations are dependent on unpaid volunteers for the contribution process to take effect, as many volunteers that they receive range between community service, court ordered, and among all ages. NPOs "lack ownership", where stocks are not issued within the public. This prevents the organizations itself from profiting and marginalizing.
The American Red Cross is a "humanitarian organization", whereas this organization utilizes its funding system to support any kind of expenditure that involves providing relief and assistance to those who need response to emergencies and disasters. This NPO is famous for its influence around the world as they have followed treacherous disasters. The NPO has raised over billions of dollars for relief projects and lifesaving materials. However, the organization itself is struggling with donations since NPO have lost their faith and trust to the public, because of fraud and infringement among other NPO, such as the United Way scandal of 2002 where Oral Suer stole 1.5 million from the organization. This goes against the code of NPOs, as they are not supposed to profit off funds.
Elite and Lower Volunteers in a Voluntary Association
A Study of an American Red Cross Chapter
The articles focus on the participants itself and observe/record data on each participant regarding their reasons why they join the organization, what do they hope to gain, and how their whole experience was? The articles observe The American Red Cross, an organization that is known for giving back to the community or society through blood programs, disaster relief operations, health precautionary measures, military services, and safety measures. The organization has been known to provide effortless assistance in a variety of disastrous situations. The articles start off by observing data on participants and obtaining knowledgeable questions to conduct interviews on elite (experienced) volunteers and low (relatively new) volunteers. Questions pertaining to overall experience, managements, collaborative effects, expenditures, and working environment were presented to the volunteers to obtain information about the organization. Cross sectional analyzing techniques were utilized in this process to obtain valid and reliable results. This study was performed to see the effectiveness of the volunteers and how the organizations maintain them.
A Dangerous Tendency in Public Health Administration
The purpose of this article demonstrates urgent needs that are being ignored within federal and state governments. The public health administration has portrayed crucial principles that must be brought to attention such as the demand for public health nurses, demand for an interstate agency that focuses on public health education, the recognition of important services and ideas that could benefit mankind's health and safety. Public health administrators dictate that they have no direct initiative for shaping national health policies, however they are responsible for conducting research, publications, collecting data, and governing certain federal health laws. A strong federal health agency would vastly assist with the development of state health work such as reforming health protocols, enacting new health provisions, introducing new wellness measures, and help other bordering non-profit organizations by providing them with ample help and information regarding their services. By doing so many organizations such as The American Red Cross will be able to thrive with its projects and services as many civilians will be following proper protocol and guidelines set up by informed officials such as public health administrators and such.
Red Cross: Blood and Plasma Donations Crucial to COVID-19 Fight
The American Red Cross is known for its influence on blood donations and with a world-wide pandemic going on they are utilizing their reputation to its advantage to serve their society. The pandemic has vastly shut things down and diminished the access to care. Blood donations are scarce as many people are isolating themselves in quarantine due to the effects of the virus, however this organization has partnered with several others to provide relief to those who are in need. Blood is an essential life-saving tool that it utilized to create many medications we use today as well as plasma donations. These materials are crucial for mankind and for any hope regarding overcoming the virus. "Lasky, Baia" a MD describes the blood donations rates gradually low.
This is a major issue, because this limits opportunities, stalls treatments, and diminishes the health of immunocompromised patients. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that has worked tirelessly to obtain suitable blood donations so other facilities can resume with their treatments and research. The organization is constantly providing updated information to potential donors that may relieve them of the stress of donating during a pandemic. This is crucial as many civilians who are potential donors lack reassurance that their health will not be compromised within the process.
Health Education Methods of the Red Cross
Since past wars the Red Cross has expanded its name and purpose for its aid all over. A variety of men and women are receiving their nursing certificates and degrees as licensed nurses, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, technicians, home health aides, and so much more. The rates that these positions grow in is exponentially high. The organizations have influenced many people and prospective educators to journey into health education and build a foundation with it. Home nursing is a practical and fundamental role that teaches many people basic life-saving skills. Skills that were utilized back then and have been stressed of importance till this day.
The organization has brought upon new course loads for educational institutes, new methods of practice, new procedures, fundamental principles, etc. These key elements in health education have changed how we perceive health and practice it as we know it. The Red Cross has built a foundation for modern medicine, as they have vast knowledge, expertise, and experience with providing relief to those who are facing disastrous effects. The decrease in doctors and nurses that were available in past wars were gradually low, therefore the organization created a course that taught volunteers how to respond to several technical situations such as patient comfort, support, and relief. The organization is also big on prevent and precautionary measures which prepares potential students or volunteers for the services they provide as well as the enforcing policies.
Implementation Strategies
In the first stage of the process, the organization will reach out to volunteers regarding their application submission. During this process the volunteers are asked to select three roles of their interest. The volunteers are then reached out by recruiters for the organization who break the organization and its cause as well as the three roles the volunteer selected. The second stage is where volunteers are then committed to one role in their interest. The volunteer is then appointed a mentor and a supervisor based on their selection where they will be assigned weekly duties. The volunteer or mentee at this stage will begin the volunteering process and will participate in quarterly meetings and training modules that will excel their learning process. Alternative Solutions
Alternative A: Devise a new recruitment system to increase efficiency.
Abandoning or modifying the previous recruitment system will ensure that the organization has reliable and valid employees that effectively make informed decisions that will benefit the organization's cause, because these new recruits have experience in the healthcare industry. Setting up a stricter criterion when assigning new employees will help the organization recruit passionate officials with suitable degrees such as public health for instance. Implementing a requirement for experience in health care for a minimum of years, asking for a preference in work with non-profit organizations, and an undergraduate or graduate degree in the designated role will ensure programmatic sustainability within the organization and prevent further inflation and poor organizational management.
Alternative B: Raising wages devising a new budgetary system.
Providing new incentive packages and raising salaries/wages will increase the probability of increased staffing within the non-profit organization. The organization is heavily short on volunteers due to the commitment and expectations that are held with it. The organization lacks essential funding regarding training their volunteers. Training programs and internships should be offered to any volunteer; however, the organization lacks essential funding to sustain or open such training opportunities for volunteers. By creating a new budget plan more funding can be allocated to important services such as training for instance and funds can be organized and distributed based on importance.
Alternative C: Lining the organization with new innovative communication methods.
Methods of communication are rapidly evolving every day and the organization is using outdated forms of communication to seek out donations, projects, services, and more. By updating their communication methods, they will be able to provide more services and outreach projects for everyone and will improve the organization ethics as well.
| Solution 1:Improved Resource Allocation and Planning Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Solution 2:Strengthened Coordination and Communication Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Solution 3:Enhanced Leadership and Management Capabilities Strengths:
Weaknesses:
|
| Recommendation:
|
| Recommendations | |||
| Criteria | Improved Resource Allocation and Planning | Strengthened Coordination and Communication | Enhanced Leadership and Management Capabilities |
| Implementation - 5 | 4(5) = 20 | 1(5) = 5 | 5(5) = 25 |
| Risk - 4 | 2(4) = 8 | 3(4) =12 | 2(4) = 8 |
| Cost - 3 | 2(3) = 6 | 5(3) = 15 | 3(3) = 9 |
| Total | 34 | 32 | 42 |
Final Recommendation
Alternative C is likely the best option for the organization as it is the start point of any organization and most efficient way to increase productivity and programmatic sustainability within the nonprofit organization. This option will ensure that reputable candidates are hired within the organization and that they will make responsive decisions that will benefit the organization and its purpose for providing health care and safety measures to people.
This alternative does involve having to pick and train the correct managerial figures to make sure different situations are handled correctly. It could involve different training programs that can be costly to ensure the proper employees are in place. By having a positive work culture, leaders can educate and implement rewards towards employees and volunteers that can raise the level of understanding and sense of culture, but it will take skilled leaders with the necessary training to be able to transform such a workplace. Maintaining this level of optimal workplace can be difficult as you will need the correct managerial prospects in place to continue.
Conclusion
To conclude, the inadequate handling of resources in the context of disaster response operations poses a considerable obstacle for the American Red Cross. Efficient resource allocation by an organization is of utmost importance in ensuring prompt and sufficient aid to individuals impacted by calamities. The organization's effectiveness in fulfilling its mission has been impeded by factors such as inefficient resource allocation, insufficient coordination and communication, suboptimal decision-making, and inadequate leadership. The prioritization of addressing the matter of resource mismanagement holds significant significance for the American Red Cross. Through the optimization of resource allocation, the organization can improve its capacity to mitigate human suffering in emergency situations and deliver crucial aid to impacted communities. The tasks encompass the effective allocation of resources such as finances, materials, and personnel to locations requiring assistance, collaborating with pertinent parties to streamline operations, and employing informed decision-making grounded in sound judgement and specialized knowledge. Various recommendations can be considered to enhance resource management within the American Red Cross. Initially, the implementation of resilient resource allocation and optimization tactics can guarantee that resources are assigned in accordance with their priority and necessity. The process may entail utilizing data-driven methodologies, advanced technological tools, and predictive models to ascertain the optimal allocation of resources. Improving coordination and communication mechanisms is imperative for efficient resource management. It is recommended that the American Red Cross implement unambiguous communication channels among its internal departments and external partners to enhance the efficiency of decision-making procedures and foster better coordination during disaster response initiatives. Thirdly, enhancing the process of decision-making within the organization is of utmost importance. The cultivation of a culture that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and collaborative decision-making is a viable means of attaining this objective. Incorporating a variety of viewpoints, engaging pertinent stakeholders in the decision-making process, and offering training and assistance to decision-makers can result in better-informed and more efficacious resource allocation determinations. Finally, it is imperative to develop proficient leadership skills within the American Red Cross. Effective resource management, collaborative efforts, and instilling a sense of purpose and commitment among staff and volunteers are key components of strong leadership that can significantly enhance an organization's overall efficacy. Through the implementation of these recommendations, the American Red Cross can improve its resource management strategies and bolster its ability to respond to disasters with efficacy. In addition, these enhancements have the potential to reinstate faith and assurance among benefactors, interested parties, and the populace at large, thereby guaranteeing sustained backing for the organization's crucial philanthropic objective. The present study has centered its attention on the American Red Cross. However, the matter of resource mismanagement and its potential remedies hold significance for other humanitarian entities and emergency response agencies. Subsequent research endeavors ought to investigate the execution and assessment of proposed remedies in practical emergency situations to further perfect resource allocation methodologies and augment the efficacy of philanthropic undertakings on a global scale. Ultimately, through the resolution of issues pertaining to the mismanagement of resources, the American Red Cross can enhance its ability to effectively achieve its objective of mitigating and alleviating human suffering during emergency situations, thereby providing a source of optimism and assistance to those most in need.
Criteria I have met:
Summary of Paper
Relationship to measures from above
Suggestions for improvement of paper
PAPER BELOW
Introduction
The American Red Cross is a non-governmental organization that operates on a non-profit basis and is committed to delivering aid to individuals affected by calamities. The institution boasts a lengthy track record of effectively addressing calamitous events, and it possesses a firmly established cadre of volunteers and assets. Nonetheless, the American Red Cross has faced censure for its inadequate handling of resources in the context of disaster response endeavors. The significance of resource mismanagement lies in its potential to substantially affect the efficacy of disaster response. Mismanagement of resources may result in delays in providing aid, insufficient relief, and resource wastage. The adverse consequences of disasters can be profound for individuals who have already been rendered vulnerable. The matter of mismanagement of resources within the American Red Cross has been previously recorded. Following Hurricane Katrina, the organization faced criticism regarding the tardiness of its response and the absence of collaboration among various relief organizations. Furthermore, the entity has faced allegations of financial mismanagement, prompting inquiries into its capacity to proficiently oversee resources in subsequent periods. The objective of this manuscript is to scrutinize the factors contributing to the mismanagement of resources at the American Red Cross and to propose potential remedies. The present study will commence by furnishing a comprehensive outline of the American Red Cross and its overarching objective. Subsequently, the present discourse will explicate the significance of resource management in the context of disaster response, as well as the variables that may lead to the mismanagement of resources. The study will culminate by presenting recommendations on how the American Red Cross can enhance its resource management strategies. The study will utilize a diverse range of resources, encompassing scholarly literature, journalistic pieces, and official publications from governmental entities. The study will culminate with an analysis of the consequences of the results for the American Red Cross and other entities that engage in disaster response.
Organization Background
The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 in the state of Washington D.C. by Clara Barton, a nurse who had volunteered with the international Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War. The organization provided many opportunities for volunteers and incoming professionals can increase their knowledge in the first-air response industry as the American Red Cross provided nursing programs, allied health programs, and first aid treatments. (Avril, 2020) The American Red Cross received their first large donation during the late first world war of $400 Million dollars in funds which helped with program and materials needed. The American Red Cross specializes in preventative and safety measures as well to save the quality of life. The American Red Cross focuses on five core areas which are disasters, military, issuing supplies, health and safety education and relief programs. (Our federal charter) The organizations first major achievement was providing relief to victims of the Galveston hurricane in 1900. Since then, the American Red cross has responded to numerous disasters, including the Great Depression, World War II, Hurricane Katrina, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Such organizations are faced with many hurdles during hardships like where to focus most of the resources or how much resources to spend when a disaster occurs. There is a substantial amount of donations, but it is finite.
Governing Structure
The American Red Cross is an independent non-profit organization that uses it's funding and resources for charitable causes. The American Red cross is governed by a board of governors that is composed of 15 members which is appointed by the President of the United States. The board of governors is responsible for setting the organization's policies and overseeing the operations. The day-to-day operations of the American Red Cross are managed by a President and CEO. Voluntary public contributions such as donations are vital sources of funding for non-profit organizations such as The American Red Cross because it is not a federal associated agency. (American Red Cross History) If the services are high in cost the federal or state government aids under certain circumstances such as the Ombudsman program which facilitates confidential and voluntary acts that create satisfactory solutions as well as broad range of options to resolve issues within compliance.
Goal Analysis
Mission Statement
The American Red Cross mission statement is "The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.???"(Mission & Values, 2023)
Goals and objectives
The American Red Cross wants to relieve human suffering in times of need through efforts such as (Mission & Values 2023):
- People affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter, and hope.
- Our communities are ready and prepared for disasters.
- Everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products.
- All members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed.
- In an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
The organization has an abundance of foundations and companies that help with financial ability to assist in these ways. They have five mission areas which are prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery and thirty-two core capabilities that address the greatest risks to the nation. Fundamental principles of the global Red Cross Network are Humanity, Impartiality, neutrality, independence, unity, and universality.
Stakeholder Analysis
The American Red Cross has a variety of stakeholders including its Donors, Volunteers, Employees, Clients, Government agencies, other humanitarian organizations. The American Red Cross's stakeholders have a variety of concerns, including donors want to make sure their donations are being used effectively, volunteers want to make a difference in the world, Employees want to work for an organization that makes a difference in the world, Clients want to receive the help they need, Government agencies want to ensure that the American Red Cross is meeting the needs of it's clients and other humanitarian organizations want to collaborate with the American Red Cross to provide relief to victims of disaster. Internal stakeholders consist of staff and volunteers, board of governors, and external stakeholders consist of disasters, blood donors and recipients, training program participants, and military families and service members.
| Internal Stakeholder | |
| President | Invest their time to manage and control the organization's operations such as: fundraising, service projects, project ideas, recruitment, finances, and more. The "ARC" President Gail McGovern has used transformative initiatives to sustain and improve financial stability, use of materials, and to establish national friendships with other countries. |
| Chief | Executive figure within the management department who plays a vital role in strategic planning. Chief positions vary from: finance, diversity, transformations, operating, human resources, innovation, & marketing/ communications. |
| Counsel | The organization's primary attorney. A general counsel is known to provide adequate legal advice and representation regarding the organization's actions and policies. |
| Human Resources | A specialized department that primarily deals with management, recruitment, and payroll. This division focuses on several principles such as leadership, performance, training, skill set, potential, & employment. |
| Finance | A unique division that handles the organizations funding. They are responsible for collecting and distributing for projects and services. |
| External Stakeholder | |
| Donors | Associations, government agencies, and individuals who provide monetary donations. The organization heavily depends on donors for financial support as they considered to be a charitable cause. |
| Volunteers/Interns | People who support and provide unpaid labor for the organization. Volunteers are the building blocks for the organization as they provide resources and material collectively to those in need. |
| Supporters | Those who contribute to the organization by efforts of advertising, social media, donating, volunteering, and more. They are loyal to the organization. |
| School/Education | Institutions provide information regarding the organization and what it stands for. Schools incite students and faculty about the noble causes and opportunities this organization has to offer. Institutions offer health and safety courses that are provided by the "ARC". Programs with "ARC" affiliation are offered through institutions to demonstrate and inform the public of basic lifesaving skills such as vital signs for instance or CPR. |
One major managerial issue of the American Red Cross is themismanagement of resources during disaster response efforts. This issue refers to the problems associated with effectively utilizing and allocating resources such as funds, volunteers, and supplies during emergencies. Inefficient allocation of resources, The American Red Cross has faced criticism for its ineffective allocation of resources during disaster response efforts, resulting in delayed or inadequate assistance to affected areas. This problem can be analyzed using the concept of resource allocation and optimization. Organizations need to allocate their resources effectively to maximize their impact and minimize waste. In this case, the American Red Cross might have struggled with identifying the most critical needs, prioritizing resource allocation, and ensuring that resources are distributed in a timely and equitable manner. Lack of coordination and communication there have been instances where the organization failed to effectively coordinate with other relief agencies, resulting in duplication of efforts, wasted resources, and confusion among the teams involved. Coordination and communication are fundamental aspects of effective disaster response. The failure to coordinate efforts and communicate efficiently can be examined through theories of organizational communication and coordination mechanisms. The organization may have lacked clear communication channels, shared situational awareness, and formal coordination structures with other relief agencies, leading to duplication of efforts, confusion, and inefficient resource utilization. Poor decision-making the organization has been criticized for making decisions that were not aligned with the immediate needs of the affected communities, leading to a mismatch between the resources provided and the actual requirements on the ground. This issue can be analyzed using decision-making theories. The American Red Cross may have made suboptimal decisions due to biases, limited information, or flawed decision-making processes. Decision-making frameworks such as rational decision-making models or bounded rationality theory can be applied to identify where decision-making processes fell short and to suggest improvements.
There may have been a lack of competent leaders and managers within the organization who possess the necessary skills to effectively manage resources during high-stress situations. The issue of resource mismanagement can be attributed to the absence of effective leadership and management skills. Theories of leadership and management can help identify the specific capabilities that were lacking. For instance, transformational leadership theory could highlight the need for leaders who inspire and motivate their teams to adapt and excel during crisis situations. In some cases, the organization may have failed to gather accurate and timely information about the nature and scope of the disaster, resulting in inadequate planning and resource allocation. The concept of situational awareness, particularly in high-stress situations like disaster response, is crucial. The organization may have lacked real-time information on the evolving needs of affected communities and the available resources. There are many theories that can be a tool for leadership to obtain to better manage the work environment as well as high pressure situations that the American Red Cross faces. One of the best theories is the Situational theory. This is a theory that puts the correct leader for what the situation entails. A leader can be more hands-off if the group of workers and volunteers are experience, and the situation involves less supervision or a more telling approach when the workers or volunteers are less knowledgably of the work environments. There are four assessments that can be key points inn selecting the leader which are "consider the relationship, consider the task, consider the level of authority and consider the level of maturity"(Cherry, 2023).
| Component | Problems | Causes | Consequences and Effects | Challenges and Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inefficient allocation of resources | - Delayed or inadequate response | - Lack of situational awareness | - Increased suffering of affected communities | - Organizational design and change |
| Issue of resource mismanagement | - Wasted resources | - Insufficient leadership and management capabilities | - Financial losses | - Leadership and motivation |
| Lack of communication | - Inadequate communication and collaboration channels | - Decreased organizational capacity | - Communication and collaboration | |
| Lack of coordination | - Duplication of efforts | - Lack of situational awareness | - Reduced trust from donors and stakeholders | - Organizational design and change |
| Realtime information - | - Confusion among teams | - Inadequate communication and collaboration channels | - Negative perception of effectiveness | - Communication and collaboration |
| Poor decision making - | - Mismatch between resources provided and actual needs | - Lack of situational awareness | - Damaged reputation and donor confidence | - Decision-making and problem-solving |
| Lack of leadership - | - lack of mismanagement during high pressure situations | - Insufficient leadership and management capabilities | -time and resource wasting, confusion among the teams | -Need skilled leaders to continue helping the communities |
The American Red Cross faces challenges in resource mismanagement during disaster response efforts. This includes inefficient allocation, lack of coordination and communication, and poor decision-making. The causes include insufficient leadership, inadequate situational awareness, and ineffective communication channels. These issues result in a delayed or inadequate response, wasted resources, and negative impacts on affected communities. Possible solutions are improved resource allocation and planning, strengthened coordination and communication, and enhanced leadership and management capabilities. Based on an objective analysis, a recommended approach combines improved resource allocation and planning with strengthened coordination and communication.
The Regulation of Non-Profit Organizations
It can be perceived while non-profit organizations are not subjected to tax fees and other entities that would diminish the title. However, many non-profit organizations suffer financial indiscretions and inadequacy is imposed on them. This is due to a lack of oversight and regulation to prevent these inefficiencies from occurring, as a result causing non-profits such as the American Red Cross to suffer gravely. Organizations that are known as "associated charities" are not dependent on generating a profit with their revenue source, as the revenue pool it utilizes to give back to society.
The organizations have reliable income resources from donors, endowments, and government facilities; however, these funding sources only make up one part of the revenue. Oftentimes donors of this type of caliber are interested in supporting the project itself rather than contributing to the organization. The organizations are dependent on unpaid volunteers for the contribution process to take effect, as many volunteers that they receive range between community service, court ordered, and among all ages. NPOs "lack ownership", where stocks are not issued within the public. This prevents the organizations itself from profiting and marginalizing.
The American Red Cross is a "humanitarian organization", whereas this organization utilizes its funding system to support any kind of expenditure that involves providing relief and assistance to those who need response to emergencies and disasters. This NPO is famous for its influence around the world as they have followed treacherous disasters. The NPO has raised over billions of dollars for relief projects and lifesaving materials. However, the organization itself is struggling with donations since NPO have lost their faith and trust to the public, because of fraud and infringement among other NPO, such as the United Way scandal of 2002 where Oral Suer stole 1.5 million from the organization. This goes against the code of NPOs, as they are not supposed to profit off funds.
Elite and Lower Volunteers in a Voluntary Association
A Study of an American Red Cross Chapter
The articles focus on the participants itself and observe/record data on each participant regarding their reasons why they join the organization, what do they hope to gain, and how their whole experience was? The articles observe The American Red Cross, an organization that is known for giving back to the community or society through blood programs, disaster relief operations, health precautionary measures, military services, and safety measures. The organization has been known to provide effortless assistance in a variety of disastrous situations. The arti
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Small Business Management Entrepreneurship and Beyond
Authors: Timothy s. Hatten
5th edition
538453141, 978-0538453141
