Volunteer Opportunities

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Red Cross GNY media relations team in shaping and sharing the Red Cross Story to various audiences across media platforms.
• Work with chapter and regional leadership to write and pitch local stories to local media.
• Serve as a communications representative at non-disaster events, trainings, interviews, etc.: coordinating with media, posting photos and videos to Red Cross social media platforms, managing photographers and videographers, etc.
• Write and distribute media advisories and press releases.
• IF AVAILABLE, be on call during shifts to vet and assess media inquiries, share information (via web, social media and traditional media) on smaller incidents, and notify leadership of need to scale up response.
• Serve as media spokesperson, if possible, for local news outlets in person, over the phone or through Skype interviews.
• Maintain media log of queries.
• Create and maintain media lists.
• Protect the reputation of the Red Cross by identifying and assessing potential for harm to Red Cross brand, misinformation or information gaps.
• Support social media outreach when needed

During Disasters:

• Carry out the same duties from: Red Cross shelters, aid stations, warehouses, emergency operations centers, etc.
• When needed, serve as communications support at the scene of a disaster: coordinate with media, assign and staff appropriate spokespeople, post photos and videos to Red Cross accounts, etc.

Relationships

Communications, marketing and development staff; Red Cross leadership; Red Cross volunteers and paid staff, and community partners.

Training

• Orientation to the American Red Cross
• Disaster Cycle Services: An Overview (Online)
• Public Affairs Essentials (Online)
• Greater NY Red Cross Communications overview (In-person)
• Social Media Basics (online)