May 19, 2013
For the Red Cross volunteers we spoke with today, upset is putting it very lightly. They say the message that Chris Floyd had been fired was a blow right to the heart.
CEO Joseph Agostini says the decision was made for personnel issues and he understands how people may react to it. But for many volunteer leaders, they say they don't understand. Now, they are taking action. Over twenty volunteer leaders met here at the public library in downtown Tallahassee to discuss a plan of action that will hopefully help their voices be heard.
Roberta Maddox, a Capital Area Red Cross volunteer said, "I think it's important for the community to understand that Chris Floyd has dedicated 17 years to the community building the community, awareness of disaster and putting in place programs, which assured that if a disaster happens we know what to do."
Some of the volunteers say they would not appear on camera for fear of losing their service with the red cross. From today's meeting they say they will write a letter voicing their concerns and they hope more volunteers and community members will petition with them. Between the volunteers present at the meeting, they say there was over 150 years of Red Cross volunteer experience.
