The ARRL and the American Red Cross have signed a
new Memorandum of Understanding to govern their relationship over the next five
years. It lays out the framework for cooperation between the Red Cross and the
ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) on national, state and local
levels. A summary of the agreement in the ARRL Letter says it also clarifies that ARES members working with the Red Cross but not registered as volunteers with the aid organization do not need to undergo the background checks required of Red Cross volunteers.