Partner Opportunities Bulletin:  National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the American Red Cross

Get Memorandum Of Understanding

Background

National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is the nation's largest and oldest African-American religious convention. With over 7.5 million members and churches across the country, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. will be an invaluable partner in meeting community needs during and after a disaster. Engaging local churches in disaster response and blood drives are a few of the ways in which National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. seeks to work with the American Red Cross.

Organization Information

Founded in 1886, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest African American religious convention with an estimated membership of 7.5 million. The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. shapes the religious and often political beliefs of several million Christians throughout the world. Baptist World Center, the national headquarters of NBCUSA, Inc. is located in Nashville, TN.

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross provides services to those in need regardless of citizenship, race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or political affiliation.

Benefits of Collaboration

National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is dedicated to providing support to the communities they serve.  Their facilities and congregation are available as significant resources for the community. Specific areas of cooperation include:

• Churches could be used as disaster shelters.



• Individual churches may be willing to have their congregation trained as shelter workers and other response roles.



• Churches could work with their local Red Cross biomedical regions on blood drives.



• Churches could work with their local Red Cross chapters to engage their community in preparedness activities.



• Red Cross chapters could work with the churches on disaster planning in order to ensure their communities are included as part of a comprehensive disaster response plan.

Red Cross Chapter Participation

American Red Cross chapters which have a National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. churches in their jurisdiction should reach out to their local churches in order to have discussions about the above cooperative actions. The following are a few of the steps that should be taken in order to develop this excellent partnership opportunity:

• Provide an introduction to your chapter, key chapter personnel, chapter capabilities and community risks.



• Tour the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. church and discuss its potential as a disaster service delivery site.



• Provide information on the basics of shelter operations, facilities needs, importance to the community, risks, expected length of need. Make sure discussions include protecting their facilities and flooring.



• Agree on priorities for the partnership, focusing on obtainable steps and potential for future growth of the relationship.



• Highlight the partnership in the community through effective public relations strategies and/or use of the media.

(* NOTE: The NBCUSA is one of many Baptist denominations. Chapters are encouraged to research any Baptist denominations that have a local presence for information about convention membership. While this MOU is specific to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., chapters are encouraged to reach out to a wide variety of faith institutions that represent the diversity of their community.)

For more information:

• Contact the American Red Cross National Headquarters Partner Services at 202-303-4026 or



• Email NGOPartners@usa.redcross.org



• Review Shelter Agreement document



• Review information about our work with partners on sheltering.