| Local Red Cross chapter names new executive director |
By: KATHY NELSON, Special to the News
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Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 11:35 pm
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A few months ago, Angela Storch was unemployed and busy with volunteer work in the community. She also was looking for a position that would allow her to help make a difference in the community.
She found it at the Red Cross.
The new executive director for the Rice/LeSueur Counties Chapter said her passion is working in the nonprofit arena. Storch spent 10 years as director of the United Way in Faribault and has a good understanding of what it takes to do fundraising and development.
With 13 years in nonprofit management, advancement and marketing for the United Way, South Central College and Comprehensive Wealth Solutions, she has hit the ground running at the Red Cross.
Building relationships with other agencies and collaborating to make sure the Red Cross can meet the needs of area residents will take time — and money, said Storch.
“There’s a lot of planning and marketing to do,” she said. “For myself personally, I need to make connections. There is a great deal of relationship building to do.”
Seeking out community members from all walks of life who may want to serve on the Red Cross board is another priority.
“I’m ready to dig in,” said Storch.
Faribault City Administrator Tim Madigan was on the United Way board when Angela was hired as director.
“She just did an excellent job. She was good at fundraising there,” he said.
Madigan also knows Storch through the Faribault Rotary Club, where they are both members.
“Angela brings a high-energy level to Red Cross,” he said. “And she’s a very creative person. She also is an excellent example of one of our up and coming leaders.”
Storch said she remembers advice Madigan gave to her some time ago. He said, “Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t know something.”
Leading the local Red Cross and building on its volunteer and donor base is important to Storch.
She cited an example of a fire several months ago in the region that nearly depleted the chapter’s blood supply because the incident required 55 units of blood. It is at times like this that other Red Cross chapters and people in Rochester are called in to help.
There are more than 100 people who volunteer and between 600-700 blood donors. Storch wants to continue building on these bases and work to find people who could serve on committees and on the board.
“We have a lot of newcomers to our community who don’t speak English,” she said. Partnering with the chamber, diversity coalition and other groups to help provide classes and training will be important.
Storch has learned a lot in her first couple of weeks on the job.
“Every day is new and different,” she said.
Fundraising will be a large part of the job, said Storch.
This week, the chapter held a fundraiser Tuesday at Boston’s Pizza. About 10 percent of the sales during that period went to the Red Cross.
Funding is critical because some programs are mandated, but not one penny comes with that mandate.
Because of the recession and tough economic times, all nonprofits are feeling the pinch, said Storch. “But we are seeing an increase in human compassion as well.”
And the chapter is trying to accommodate the needs of busy people.
Storch said to keep an eye out for more information about speed courses for busy working moms and professionals that the Red Cross plans to offer. |
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