I am currently working with the Cape and Island Beach Managers Association to look into other options. Our fall meeting will include this discussion of all of us moving as a group (National Seashore to Falmouth and the Islands). This may include the DCR (state as well). The United States Lifeguard Association, YMCA, American Heart Association, Star fish swim program are all looking to work with us. We will be discussing what is out there and where we as a group can take our business, so we can have the required certifications that cover us the best and who seem to really give a damn about the safety of the public. It is insane with the Cape & Islands Safety Divsion of the Red Cross actually being 100% self suficient to then charge outragous prices that make no sense other than to make profit for those who can not and do not do the extra that we have done here on Cape Cod to support the American Red Cross as we have. I know my Town has raised thousands of dollars in support of the Cape and Islands Red Cross Chapter Safety Division and to have this happen is a slap in our faces. Will with all the trusts that have been set up, to support as well be lost? I am sickened by the actions of the American Red Cross. Seeing this happen is reason enough to move forward and find a repretable organization that cares about people, that I thought was the case of the Cape & Islands Red Cross Chapter (the staff has been nothing but supportive to us all over the years). I have personally been involved with the Cape & Island Red Cross since 1974 and have been involved in everyway, but that doesn't seem to matter so we move forward and do the best we can with out them as part of our team.
John - 13 years ago
Is the ARC abandoning all of us with these fees? I cannot believe the ARC is becoming a for profit organization. I guess we will need to develop our own Learn to swim program and well there are other options in training as well. Everyone should contact the National office and register your complaint. After all this is the AMERICAN Red Cross. Lets all urge them to stay the AMERICAN Red Cross. Unless they are changing the logo to the American $ Cross!!!
Karen - 13 years ago
I work for a local Y, whose "parent" agency is encouraging all Y's to go to the revised Y lifeguard training program to be released this Fall. (We already do the Y swim program.) Though I have been an ARC instructor & instructor trainer in many disciplines for 20+ years, and the initial output for the new Y/ASHI materials may be a bit difficult, in the end I must always consider cost effectiveness for the agency and potential customers in order to reach as many people as possible with health & safety education and job skills training.
Like many others, I worked hard to learn what I have to share with others: kids, those with disabilities, seniors and those who would become instructors. It is sad that ARC has decided the value of their product with such a high price tag is more important than reaching as many people as possible. Yes, certs are good for 2 years now--though many agencies require annual re-certification, not an online refresher--so ARC stands to lose that income every year. But not only will ARC lose money because so many materials ( not all, mind you) will be available as free e-books, but they stand to lose many loyal instructors/instructor trainers & customers.
Mike - 13 years ago
We will be going back to issuing our own learn-to-swim certificates and lesson standards next swim season. We did this about 10 years ago and it did not effect our swim lesson attendance. After a few seasons without Red Cross lessons our local chapter contacted us and we worked out an agreement on fees. (As in we would not pay any.) But in the last few seasons we agreed to pay some of the fees. But Red Cross kept raising fees and raising fees, so we are going to drop them, again! I believe our customers should not have to pay Red Cross fees, as they do not receive any added benefit from Red Cross. Swim Lessons need to be affordable to all who want to learn how to swim!
I am currently working with the Cape and Island Beach Managers Association to look into other options. Our fall meeting will include this discussion of all of us moving as a group (National Seashore to Falmouth and the Islands). This may include the DCR (state as well). The United States Lifeguard Association, YMCA, American Heart Association, Star fish swim program are all looking to work with us. We will be discussing what is out there and where we as a group can take our business, so we can have the required certifications that cover us the best and who seem to really give a damn about the safety of the public. It is insane with the Cape & Islands Safety Divsion of the Red Cross actually being 100% self suficient to then charge outragous prices that make no sense other than to make profit for those who can not and do not do the extra that we have done here on Cape Cod to support the American Red Cross as we have. I know my Town has raised thousands of dollars in support of the Cape and Islands Red Cross Chapter Safety Division and to have this happen is a slap in our faces. Will with all the trusts that have been set up, to support as well be lost? I am sickened by the actions of the American Red Cross. Seeing this happen is reason enough to move forward and find a repretable organization that cares about people, that I thought was the case of the Cape & Islands Red Cross Chapter (the staff has been nothing but supportive to us all over the years). I have personally been involved with the Cape & Island Red Cross since 1974 and have been involved in everyway, but that doesn't seem to matter so we move forward and do the best we can with out them as part of our team.
Is the ARC abandoning all of us with these fees? I cannot believe the ARC is becoming a for profit organization. I guess we will need to develop our own Learn to swim program and well there are other options in training as well. Everyone should contact the National office and register your complaint. After all this is the AMERICAN Red Cross. Lets all urge them to stay the AMERICAN Red Cross. Unless they are changing the logo to the American $ Cross!!!
I work for a local Y, whose "parent" agency is encouraging all Y's to go to the revised Y lifeguard training program to be released this Fall. (We already do the Y swim program.) Though I have been an ARC instructor & instructor trainer in many disciplines for 20+ years, and the initial output for the new Y/ASHI materials may be a bit difficult, in the end I must always consider cost effectiveness for the agency and potential customers in order to reach as many people as possible with health & safety education and job skills training.
Like many others, I worked hard to learn what I have to share with others: kids, those with disabilities, seniors and those who would become instructors. It is sad that ARC has decided the value of their product with such a high price tag is more important than reaching as many people as possible. Yes, certs are good for 2 years now--though many agencies require annual re-certification, not an online refresher--so ARC stands to lose that income every year. But not only will ARC lose money because so many materials ( not all, mind you) will be available as free e-books, but they stand to lose many loyal instructors/instructor trainers & customers.
We will be going back to issuing our own learn-to-swim certificates and lesson standards next swim season. We did this about 10 years ago and it did not effect our swim lesson attendance. After a few seasons without Red Cross lessons our local chapter contacted us and we worked out an agreement on fees. (As in we would not pay any.) But in the last few seasons we agreed to pay some of the fees. But Red Cross kept raising fees and raising fees, so we are going to drop them, again! I believe our customers should not have to pay Red Cross fees, as they do not receive any added benefit from Red Cross. Swim Lessons need to be affordable to all who want to learn how to swim!