Pros
The Red Cross is a global organization with a noble mission - to help people whose lives have been impacted by disaster. Working within the chapter setting was a great experience because you are able to get more face to face interaction with the victims of disaster - it is a wonderful feeling to be able to help and comfort those who are facing such difficult challenges. The Red Cross volunteers are great people to work with and the chapters function much like a family unit. The best thing about working for the Red Cross was witnessing how just a little assistance and help can give a family hope when they are faced with disaster.
Cons
The Red Cross Chapers across the United States is where the real impact is made and with little to no help from Red Cross headquarters. The executives at headquarters are change resistent and disingenuous. Programs such as the Hurricane Recovery Program were not planned effectively or carefully. You will be disappointed if you go to work for the Red Cross with dreams of making a difference and being apart of something positive and service-oriented and believing that because it is such a larger organization it will be well run and productive - in many ways the Red Cross is another company with politics that hinder productivity, egos that hinder effectiveness and stubborness that hinders success.