October 28, 2000
Shake-up at Seneca County Red Cross -- board dissolved
By Carol Bogart
Staff Writer
The Red Cross in Seneca County is great at disaster response -- not so great at fundraising. Consequently, it's had a tough time meeting the monthly "nut" (an assessment) it must send to national Red Cross. Coupled with other expenses, money was scant for finding and keeping an executive director.
In an effort to resolve the problem, the Sandusky County Red Cross chapter has agreed to assume "custodialship" of Seneca County to help it get its act together. The Seneca County board had appealed to Red Cross at the state level for help.
After about a year of meeting with a field team, the local board voted to temporarily dissolve until solutions are found to the problems of not enough money and an unprofessional-appearing building. Sandusky County executive director Nicholas Logothets says, "That's no showcase. We need to get in there and do a massive cleanup ... just so it looks like a facility that has some pride in itself."
Logothets will act as Seneca County interim executive director during the custodialship. "What we're here to do is help them get back on their feet. To re-organize," he says. Logothets will split his time between Tiffin and Fremont. During the formal custodialship arrangement with the state of Ohio, he plans to hire a branch manager.
Former Seneca County board chairman Del Ray Fox plans to remain active as a volunteer until the agency regroups. He says the county should feel no adverse effects from the changes.
Logothets concurs, saying he expects the transition period to be "seamless." Fox became involved with the Seneca County Red Cross two years ago. He says the organization was struggling for several years prior to his becoming board chairman.
Although services like the hot coffee canteen for firefighters are optional, not required, the Seneca County chapter's efforts have long been appreciated during house fires. (The canteen service is required during disasters like the Kirby Tire Fire.)
Fox says firefighters responding to single fires in various communities and throughout the county have no reason to fear the Red Cross canteen will be discontinued. "If a house burns down, a fire chief has to call us in," Fox explains. "We'll provide beverages and refreshments to the firemen after we first assess the needs of the residents who were burned out. We will make sure they have food and shelter for the night."
In coming months, the focus will be to take a page from Sandusky County's success and incorporate its approach in Seneca County. Logothets offers examples like going to local businesses and offering to teach CPR. That, and United Way funding, says Logothets, "is where you get your income. I think in the past that's probably been a little weak here."
Essentially, the Sandusky County chapter will be offering Seneca County a tutorial in hopes, Logethets says, "of making (the chapter) healthy. We will be looking for a lot of volunteers to come out of the woodwork and help."
An interim advisory board will replace the Seneca County board until problems are straightened out, the custodialship lifted and the Seneca County Red Cross once again functions in concert with, but independently of, chapters in other counties.
Logothets gives Seneca County high marks in assorted areas, including its effectiveness in contacting those serving in the armed forces when a family member dies. The Red Cross provides transportation for attending the funeral.
Sandusky County didn't have to accept becoming Seneca County's custodian, but Logothets is optimistic about the chapter's future. He reiterates, "You have to be out there hustling to pay your fair share to national Red Cross. (In Seneca County), the money has been dropping off. What's the reason for that -- who knows? But we need to reverse that."
Anyone wishing to volunteer, donate time or money or remember the Seneca County chapter of the American Red Cross in his or her will can call the Seneca County office at 447-1424.