National Volunteer Week Profile: Eric Klein

by David Warren, volunteer contributor

Volunteer Eric Klein is presented with a commendation award
for his excellent service.

Every office has that go-to person who makes the day hum. When a problem crops up – be it a computer that swallows valuable disaster assessments or a complex data set that requires analysis – this colleague usually has the solution.

And so it is with Eric Klein, a volunteer partner for the American Red Cross North Texas Region.  He can be found huddling over maps, coordinating disaster services and, as he explains it, utilizing “geospatial tools.”

But for his supervisor, Rosemary Mote, disaster program officer, American Red Cross North Texas region, Klein’s importance is much more broadly defined. “Everyone knows to ask Eric,” she said. “He’ll know, or he can find out.”

Klein, 64, began volunteering for the Red Cross in 2008, answering a call to help with preparations ahead of Hurricane Ike’s arrival on the Gulf Coast. He had spent 30 years with IBM but was restless in retirement and the Red Cross proved to be an ideal outlet for his energy and analytical mind.

“There’s a lot of different roles you can take on,” he said of the agency. “It’s a big organization so there’s a lot of different work you can do, a lot of opportunity to learn new things.”

Klein uses Geographic Information Systems and other applications to plan for impending disasters while coordinating needs both regionally and beyond. He determines tornado paths, road conditions and other hazards to smooth the aid the Red Cross provides. He also serves on the regional Disaster Management Team and works as a disaster services instructor, passing on his experience to others.

“He passionately supports the mission by supporting those who are on the front lines,” Mote said of Klein, recipient of the 2014 North Texas Region Clara Barton Honor Award.

She said he also uses census information to determine population, housing and other demographic information to help determine how damaging a disaster may prove to be, and better assess the relief that will be needed.

“We just count on Eric being around and know that he will do it for us,” she said.

Most recently, Eric joined the Digital Volunteer Team, using his skills to help set up complex keyword searches on Radian6 so digital volunteers can monitor social media conversations during disasters and relay relevant information to a disaster response team. It's just one more use of the wealth of his knowledge and generosity of his time.

Klein, who’s a Dallas resident, says he brings an analytical approach to his work and the Red Cross benefits from many others who offer a variety of strengths.

“What makes the organization work is not having people with identical skills but different complementary skills,” he said.

This National Volunteer Week, we salute volunteers like Eric that make our organization go. Volunteers make up more than 90% of the Red Cross work force. Join Eric & start your Red Cross story today. Visit RedCross.org/Volunteer to get started! 

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Seeking Digital Volunteers!

Like everything else, the world of disaster response is going online. And the American Red Cross is following, so we can continue to help people, wherever they are, when they need it the most. Recently we opened our new North Texas Digital Operations Center (DigiDOC) in Dallas, a social media command center designed to help us better connect with people online with resources during disasters. Here's how it works:

Digitizing the Power of Volunteers

To make the most of this innovative technology, we need your help! We're looking for digital volunteers to help us staff our new DigiDOC and help our communications team monitor and engage on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter before and during disasters to let people know how to stay safe during emergency situations and connect them to Red Cross resources afterwards. 

What do digital volunteers do?

• Support the Red Cross mission through social platform interactions and content creation. 
• Use personal social media accounts to engage with donors, clients, and other members of the public on Red Cross-related subjects.
• Monitor and post to official Red Cross social channels as assigned.
• During disasters, provide moral and emotional support, connect affected communities with critical disaster information and resources and identify actionable posts or information on social platforms. 
• Tag, sort and categorize posts from social platforms using software and processes established by the social engagement team. 
• Communicate perceived trends in conversations, information about Red Cross-related topics back to the social engagement team. 

What are the requirements for becoming a digital volunteer?

• At least one active social media account 
• An active and regularly checked email account 
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in using social media sites 
• Familiarity with social media monitoring applications and online group collaboration tools (examples: Tweetdeck, Hootsuite, online forums) 
• Regular access to the internet 
• Access to a computer than can run required software with no issues
• Communications/marketing background or experience using social media professionally is a plus.

What are the availability requirements?

• During times of disaster or severe weather, digital volunteers are asked for on-call availability to take 4-hour shifts, including during overnight hours.
• During non-disaster periods, the volunteer can take assignments as their schedule allows. Time requirements will vary by activity, but are flexible.
• Digital volunteers work both in the DigiDOC at the Dallas chapter during times of disaster and also remotely. In-person availability is NOT required to be a digital volunteer.

Socially savvy and interested in using your online presence to help people during disasters? Become a Red Cross digital volunteer!

Email amy.yen@redcross.org to learn more or visit RedCross.org/DFW to apply.

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The North Texas DigiDOC is Officially Open!

by Amy Yen, Digital Communications Manager, American Red Cross North Texas Region

Our big launch event for the new North Texas Digital Operations Center was a huge success! We even took it out for a test run with the severe weather in the Metroplex last night. Big thanks to everyone who came out for the launch, especially our panelists and our partners at Dell, who made this all possible.

If you weren't able to be there, here's a summary of what you missed. Learn more about our new DigiDOC at RedCross.org/DFW, including how you can become a digital volunteer & do some good with your online presence!

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You're Invited: Introducing the North Texas Digital Operations Center!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new Digital Operations Center (DigiDOC)! It's our new social media command center that allows us to monitor social conversations before and during disasters to help anticipate needs and connect more people with resources during emergencies. The Dallas chapter is honored to be the first location outside of our national headquarters in D.C. to receive this innovative technology, courtesy of our partners at Dell.
A few special guest joining us are:

•  W. Nim Kidd, Chief of Emergency Management, Texas Dept. of Public Safety
• Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist in Charge, National Weather Service
• Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge
• Dave Passey, Deputy Regional Administrator, FEMA Region 6
• Shelby Montgomery, Dell
• T.D. Smyers, CEO, American Red Cross North Texas Region

Join us for our big unveiling event next Thursday, April 3! See below for details, RSVP by March 31 to anita.foster@redcross.org & follow #DigiDFW online for more.

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A Wave of Hope: 5 Years After Hurricane Ike

by Sydney Holt, volunteer contributor

Hurricane Ike caused widespread damage in 2008.

The 2008 hurricane season was one of the most destructive and costliest seasons in history. Eight storms struck the U.S. coast, with powerful winds and surging floodwaters forcing millions out of their homes – one of these deadly storms being Hurricane Ike. 

In preparation for writing this article, I did the usual Google search as a refresher and during my research stumbled across a number of news stories and interviews dating back to September of 2008 documenting Red Cross relief efforts. Five years after Ike’s destruction, I found myself fascinated by the Red Cross relief process, specifically its involvement even when the rain slows and the wind stops blowing – Red Cross brings a wave of hope before, during and after a disaster. 

Before.

Response begins well before a disaster strikes. In Ike’s case, disaster workers were deployed to safe area within close proximity to communities that may be affected. The workers pre-positioned relief supplies, including clean-up and comfort kits and emergency response vehicles, while aiding in evacuations and establishing shelter locations. 

In DFW, Red Cross teams established safe shelters across the area, including at the Dallas Convention Center, which became home to some 6,000 people fleeing from the Texas coast.
 

Photo Credit: Dallas Morning News

During.

For Hurricanes Gustav (which occurred simultaneously with Ike at one point) and Ike combined, Red Cross shelters provided more than 468,000 overnight shelter stays. Shelters are more than just a place to sit and wait it out. In addition to food, clothing and a safe place to stay, these havens also coordinate medical and mental health services.

After.

With any unplanned weather event or disaster come learning’s. Growing local partnerships, better distribution of essential recovery items, and helping victims more easily access government and partner benefits were the areas Red Cross carefully examined to improve effectiveness post Ike. Five years after Texas’ most costly hurricane, I feel more confident than ever knowing my friends and family in the great state of Texas, and across the U.S., are more protected than ever.

One way the Red Cross has grown in the five years since Hurricane Ike is in its use of technology. During Ike, the Red Cross didn't send a single tweet or post a single Facebook status update. Since then, social media platforms have become increasingly important in communicating during emergencies. In DFW, the Red Cross now actively recruits digital volunteers to help us get information out during disasters.

Socially savvy and interested in using your social presence to help your community? Learn more about how to become a digital volunteer. Apply online at RedCross.org/DFW and reference digital volunteer during the application process.

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