Recognizing Melissa Sieminski

I would like to recognize Melissa Sieminski. I would like to bring attention to Melissa Sieminski of Scituate, MA who is a volunteer for the MA Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross. She dedicates more volunteer hours than any volunteer I have met in the chapter. Melissa is the team leader for the South Zone on Wednesday evenings. She welcomes all new volunteers and freely recognizes the volunteerism of all of the members of the team. Melissa exemplifies the concept of a leader. She encourages the RA's and rotating team leaders on Wednesday to step up and learn our roles, while simultaneously standing behind us with any and all support we need to take the steps of leadership. She never engages in self-aggrandizement, but quickly sends accolades to her team. If Melissa is busy with another Red Cross volunteer activity in lieu of merely stating her prior commitment, she makes sure the Wednesday night team is covered. Melissa is also involved in so many other Red Cross volunteer leadership positions; I truly cannot keep track of them. Melissa leads the MA care committee for our chapter. She assumed the leadership role in the distribution function during the floods. Melissa regularly goes on national deployment representing our chapter in the most favorable light. When I think of all that Melissa does on a regular basis, I think the Red Cross should hire her as a full time employee. Accolades to Melissa Sieminski and thank you for being such a wonderful mentor to us on the Wednesday night DAT, South Zone.

Louise Graham
DAT Member, Wednesday South Zone

National Volunteer Week - Recognize a Fellow Volunteer!

Have you noticed the dedication and hard work of another Volunteer? Well, take the time to let them know! All volunteers who make a submission will have their name entered into a raffle to win one of four prizes. Winners will be announced on Friday afternoon. Make your submissions now...email them to massbayvol@usa.redcross.org!

Show Off Your American Red Cross Pride!

Youth Talent Competition - Hope for Haiti

This friendly competition showcases youth from our coverage area and gives them a platform to perform through theater, dance, and music. All proceeds from the event will go to Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Haiti. We expect over 300 youth, families, and supporters of the Red Cross. This event is being organized by Youth Programs with help from our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) members. Members of the Youth Advisory Board will help to serve as masters of ceremonies for the event.

WHEN: FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 at 6:30pm
WHERE: MORSE AUDITORIUM
602 COMMONWEALTH AVE
BOSTON, MA

Tickets to the event are $5.00 and can be purchased by contacting Amelia Aubourg at (617) 274-5320 or by mailing your payment to:
American Red Cross
Youth Programs
139 Main Street
Cambridge, MA 02142

Volunteers are needed to help with the following:
• Set up
• Stage managers
• Sales for the concession stand
• Ushers
• Clean up
Please email to massbayvol@usa.redcross.org if you are interested in assisting!

A Warm Welcome to our Newest Addition to the Disaster Team: AmeriCorps VISTA, Rebecca Richards!

It is our pleasure to introduce Rebecca Richards as our newest AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) in Disaster Services. Rebecca began her year of service with the Chapter on February 8th. Rebecca is a 2009 graduate of Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, Florida) where she studied International Relations and was very involved with numerous volunteer programs.
Rebecca will be working to strengthen the Chapter’s partnerships with local communities and to build the Chapter’s capacity to provide disaster preparedness information to the public. She will work closest with our Community Disaster Education and Community Liaison programs. Welcome, Rebecca!

Kelly Bachand
Program Manager, DSHR and Training
Disaster Services

"Ring in the Red" Holiday Party

"Ring in the Red" Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 16, 6-10 PM
Red Sky, 16-18 North Street, Boston, MA

Now that you've helped your community by volunteering and you've helped yourself by learning CPR, it's time to reward yourself with a little holiday cheer! Join the Boston Young Professionals Society of the American Red Cross at our first annual "Ring in the Red" holiday party! Bring your friends or co-workers along for free appetizers. Cash bar and admission is $10. Please RSVP by e-mailing MassBayBYPS@usa.redcross.org .

Individual Volunteer Plan

I just finished the interview portion of my Individual Volunteer Plan (IVP). It was probably one of the most helpful hours I have spent to-date discussing my involvement with the Red Cross. I've been happy with my role in the Red Cross, but I really didn't see how I fit in the big picture. My interview was with Megan Dickman. Megan and I talked about what I wanted to do. Did I want to remain doing what I was doing? Was I interested in the promotional path? After we talked I had a clear picture of where I fit in, where I wanted to go with my volunteering effort and how I was going to get there. For me, completing the steps of the IVP really made me feel like I have a place in the Chapter.

Louise Gorham