 |
 |
Airline Reporting Corporation
|
CIDI takes this opportunity to acknowledge and applaud ARC, the Airlines Reporting Corporation — its officers and employees — for their outstanding contribution to humanitarian assistance.
ARC—the Airlines Reporting Corporation—is an airline-owned company offering travel products and services, ticket distribution and settlement through a variety of channels in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Building on more than four decades of experience as the leading provider of financial, business intelligence and marketing services to the Travel industry, ARC today continues to develop opportunities for its participants and partners to profit from secure, efficient management and delivery of travel information services. Almost 450 Travel Professionals work at ARC's Arlington, Virginia headquarters and four operational centers nationwide. ARC is the information hub of the $85 billion Travel industry. The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) provides information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief. CIDI's goal is to help reduce the quantity of inappropriate donations sent to disaster sites both domestically and overseas, in order to facilitate more efficient and useful relief items for disaster victims. The Center was searching for volunteers who have a genuine interest in humanitarian affairs, excellent phone skills and lots of patience to help staff our phone lines during an international crisis. ARC's Cindy Lane was an important catalyst in recruiting her colleagues for training. Members of the ARC Customer Service Center trained with the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) in 2002, when both organizations were located in Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia. ARC relocated to Ballston in Arlington and in January 2003, CIDI also came to Ballston. ARC employees who had already trained took refresher courses, and more volunteered.! Many employees from other departments also took the course. Alan Mutén, Director, ARC Corporate Communications and spokesperson for ARC, recruited many more ARC staff. Also, additional ARC employees have enrolled in the training course. David Collins is President and Chief Executive Officer of ARC – the Airlines Reporting Corporation – in Arlington, Virginia. ARC and its 450 employees serve the airline and travel industry. "In the travel industry, our professional focus is on a global scale so it seems only natural that our employees should reflect this broad perspective and want to lend their assistance where it is needed around the World," says Collins. "And yet, on a personal level, I never cease to marvel at the willingness to give of time and energy with such enormous enthusiasm as is shown by our employee volunteers to the CIDI hotline. One third of our headquarters staff has committed to assist with the CIDI Hotline when help is needed and I am immensely proud of each and every one of them," he adds. Having witnessed the efforts and contributions of his brother and sister-in-law who run a charitable relief hospital in East Africa, Collins has gained first hand knowledge of the need for disaster assistance on a global scale and the tremendous value of properly channeled and focused assistance where it is provided. "Effective relief is more than just a sincere and heartfelt sentiment – more than a selfless sharing of ones personal resources – it is a complex challenge that requires expert guidance and an inexhaustible commitment to be in it for the long haul and we are pleased to be able to assist CIDI in meeting that need," notes David Collins.
"As an immigrant to the US, coming from a nation with a great emphasis on public sector international relief support [Sweden] to a country characterized by overwhelming private sector and individual volunteerism and relief support (the United States), learning about efficient channeling of support and being challenged with communicating the same has been both gratifying and exciting," says Allan. "The spirit of giving and the heartfelt wish to help where help is most desperately needed is seemingly universal in the US. How much more valuable could this not be with sympathetic support such as that from CIDI to Help-us-Help-Them?" As a professional communicator with an academic background in international affairs and international transactions, Allan is pleased to test his knowledge and skills in an area where it has such potential to make a difference. "Moreover," he adds, "I am proud to represent ARC, a values based company, whose employees exemplify community spirit and generosity. We have more than eighty employees listed among CIDI's hotline volunteers many of whom are call center customer service professionals with all the skills needed to add significant value to the commendable efforts of CIDI." To learn more about ARC, a company serving the travel industry with financial services and data management and analysis, see the company Web site at www.arccorp.com.
The training session was conducted by Suzanne Brooks of CIDI. The CIDI training really opened my eyes! I was amazed at what was actually happening with donations for disasters and how they impact the disaster victims. In my travels to different countries I’ve seen first hand what actually happens to material items collected and sent to other countries. I was in Bangkok, Thailand at a "Flea Market" and saw a "University of Maryland" sweatshirt. I thought it was odd to see sweatshirts with their hot weather, The University of Maryland didn’t occur to me until during the training. I was in Fort-de-France, Martinique, when I saw a used t-shirt "Free O.J." My initial thought was, this news has traveled half way around the world and did these people actually know who O.J. was? After my training I realized I saw exactly what happens to items when they are transported to other countries. I also realized how important it is to help the public realize what to donate and what not to donate. I truly found the training to be beneficial and intriguing. I recommend everyone to take the opportunity to be enlightened by CIDI. On behalf of the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI), I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the members of ARC Airline Reporting Corporation for being part of our CIDI Volunteer Program. ARC's support and participation in the Center’s efforts to help disaster victims is an extremely valuable contribution to humanitarian efforts around the world. Suzanne Brooks, Director For additional information, please use the contact information above, or contact the Center for International Disaster Information at cidi@cidi.org. |
There is an important role for the public and corporations to play in
international humanitarian assistance. ARC has permitted their
employees to train during work hours for CIDI’s hotline response and
donations management during international disasters. As a result of
ARC's generosity, more than 80 employees have taken the training, of
which 45 remain in active status and are certified as volunteer
operators. Also, additional ARC staff have registered to take the
training course. This is a formidable contribution!!!
Allan Mutén is Director – Corporate Communications and spokesperson
for ARC – the Airlines Reporting Corporation - in Arlington, VA,
with twenty-five years communications experience in a global industry. He
is an enthusiastic promoter of employee volunteers to train for, and
assist with, the CIDI hotline.
For many years I worked with different organizations to support relief
for emergencies and worked with local fundraisers, community involvement
and charities for whatever cause. It was always second nature to host a
drive such as; "Coats for Kids", "Feed the Homeless", "Tools for School",
"Adopt – a- Family" and a "Canned Food Drive". When I heard that CIDI
was searching for volunteers who have a genuine interest in humanitarian
affairs who had excellent phone skills and lots of patience, I thought
that would be perfect for me. This would be a breeze.