Organizational Behavior and Communication Paper
Name Here
COM/530
Monday, August 27, 2012
Professors Name Here

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. The focus of the American Red Cross is to help in times of disaster as well as filling the needs of community members through the caring support of volunteers providing their gifts of time and talents to service in the time of need. Their mission statement is "a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies" (Kanter, 1998, p.19). The American Red Cross is an ever changing organization and throughout the years continues to provide relief to disaster victims as well as the nationwide provider of blood and tissue services. Communication within the American Red Cross is essential to developing the ability to respond quickly to situations of emergencies and disaster relief. In times of crisis it is important for the organization to have plans set ready for action and quick decision-making abilities. In an organization, such as the American Red Cross communication is a vital role to the perception of volunteers and the few paid employees have regarding working for the organization. Perception is defined as "a process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment" (Robbins, 2011, p.1). The perception of the organization is also perceived to the public. The American Red Cross has built a reputation of respect and trust within the American public because the American Red Cross culture is responding to disasters twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The