The qualities of leadership (Lesson 7)

We are entering a new phase in the Gulf Coast crisis. Thousands of residents remain in shelters and are getting tired and cranky about their living conditions. The initial surge of volunteers have returned to their jobs and former lives (three weeks is the max for Red Cross volunteers), the media reports have shifted too away from dramatic rescues to disgruntled citizens complaining about their assistance. The new volunteers we send to the south are facing different circumstances from the first wave.

We are tapped out in our Red Cross chapter, especially with the lack of support by Topeka Red Cross in a flood near their city that we have managed. We have run out of volunteers and the old-timers are at a breaking point. At the national level, there are no more concert benefits so we all are afraid of Red Cross running out of money. Our administrator is very sick and has been told by his doctor to stay in bed. So it’s tough in the office now.

This is exactly at the point where true leadership is needed in Red Cross across the country. The word “inspire” comes from the Latin meaning “breathe life into.” We have faith in and a strong connection and allegiance to the Director of Operations of our Flint Hills (Manhattan) chapter and worry about his health but no faith in the administrators above him. He deserves better. Their (Topeka Red Cross) lack of support for our efforts in Rossville is shameful (more on this in a future entry).

Imagine how hard it is to be an administrator in an organization of volunteers. The Red Cross has a powerful brand that attracts volunteers, and the work is incredibly important. But at some point, volunteers will quit if the crisis reveals a frustrating inadequacy of those in leadership. I guess that’s the effect of all crises.