Suzanne Horsley, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter, Utah

Dedicated volunteer Suzanne Horsley (left, wearing the pink sweater) pictured with Ashlee Gunter, the Disaster Services Coordinator for the American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter.

I got involved with the American Red Cross through the Power of Two program, which links public relations professionals with Red Cross initiatives. I was a graduate student then, working toward my doctoral degree; now I'm an assistant professor at the University of Utah and teach courses in crisis communication and public relations.

I do public affairs work for the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter, such as writing news releases, setting up media interviews with subject matter experts, and helping at special events. I'm also a member of the chapter's Disaster Services Human Resources team and an instructor for a course titled "Disaster Public Affairs: The Local Response." This summer, I plan to travel to the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Md., for a week of earthquake response training.

I'm able to transfer much of what I learn from the Red Cross directly into my crisis communication and public relations classes. My volunteer work has also given me several opportunities to meet other communicators in the Salt Lake City area and make connections with people who work in disaster management across the country. I even encourage my students to hone their crisis communication skills by volunteering for the Red Cross. This semester, one of my students is an intern at the chapter, and we see each other more often there than we do at school.

Volunteering with the Red Cross is a natural extension of my teaching and research. To be honest, my research interests attracted me to the Red Cross, but I stay involved because I love helping others. I didn't realize how much my volunteering in public affairs would touch individual lives and help improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

I believe in the mission of the Red Cross and am happy that I'm able to contribute my knowledge and abilities. I've gained personal satisfaction from my volunteer work that I never knew was possible.

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