The Youth Red Cross (YRC) in Anna University is one of the avenues among NCC, NSS and NSO available to the students to be pursued under Personality and Character Development Programme.
Establishment:
The YRC is the most important constituent of its mother organisation, Indian Red Cross. It is a student movement organised for students in Colleges and Technical Institutions. YRC in Anna University was established in the academic year 2002-03 as per the orders of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Objectives:
The objectives of the YRC are to impart a sense of discipline and formation of character to the students.
In this University, the students are moulded to be not only innovators, explorers, scientists etc., but also to be the best engineers with social consciousness to transform into nation builders. This has been possible, because of the training imparted to them in the first year of their studies in discipline, character building, personality development etc. along with academic input. The Personality and Character Development Programme of Anna University paves the way towards this direction.
The compulsory participation of students (UG Programmes only) in any one of the avenues namely, NATIONAL CADET CORPS (NCC), NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS), NATIONAL SPORTS ORGANISATION (NSO) and YOUTH RED CROSS (YRC) helps the students to inculcate discipline in them and to understand their responsibilities towards their countrymen, especially the poor and downtrodden. During their stay in Anna University, as the students, they taste the fruits of serving the society.
Activities in the Constituent Colleges / University Departments:
At present, College of Engineering Guindy (CEG Campus), Alagappa College of Technology (AC Tech Campus), School of Architecture and Planning (SAP Campus) and Madras Institute of Technology (MIT Campus) are the 4 Constituent Colleges attached to Anna University. There are 5 YRC Units in CEG Campus, 3 Units in MIT Campus and one Unit each in AC Tech Campus and SAP Campus. Each Unit has a maximum of 100 Student Volunteers (50 First years + 50 Senior Volunteers) and is headed by One Programme Officer who is a faculty member.
Activities like Blood Donation Camp, Road Safety Campaign, Visit to Ashrams & Government Institute for Mentally Retarded, Restacking books in the University Library, Reading for the Visually Impaired, Tree Plantation, Campus Cleaning, AIDS Awareness Programme & Rally, Participation in the Cancer Rally and Tobacco Control Measures were some of the important items of work carried out by the Students of the University Departments.
RED CROSS / RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
Introduction:
The Red Cross, established in 1863 in Geneva, by Jean Henry Dunant, is an International Organisation meant for humanitarian services. Its headquarers is in Geneva, Switzerland with many affiliated National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It is a non-religious, non-political and non sectarian International body. Regardless of either frontiers or race, the Red Cross remains a voluntary organisation and also an independent one having considerable welfare activities to its credit.
The seven fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are
Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary Service
Unity
Universality
Red Cross Society functions with the one and only aim of serving people in distress without any consideration of caste, religion, language and nationality.
The Indian Red Cross Society serves as an auxiliary to the State authorities engaged in social welfare activities accepting the rules and regulations of the State, but at the same time maintaining its autonomy so that it can act always in accordance with the fundamental principles.
What is Youth Red Cross?
The Youth Red Cross is the most important constituent of its mother organization, Indian Red Cross. It is a group movement organized at the initial stages for students between 18 and 25 years of age within the colleges. A qualified lecturer is recognized as the leader and he is called the Programme Officer under his guidance, the students are trained and encouraged to manage the affairs of the group, electing their own office-bearers.
Main Objectives of Youth Red Cross:
The main purpose of organizing the Youth Red Cross is
to inculcate in the Youth of our country
an awareness on the care of their own health and that of others
the understanding and acceptance of civic responsibilities and acting accordingly with humanitarian concern, tofulfill the same
to enable the growth and development of a spirit of service and sense of duty with dedication and devotion in the minds of youth
to foster better friendly relationship with all without any discrimination.
Principles of Youth Red Cross:
Youth Red Cross has the following three principles:
Protection of Health & Life
Service to the Sick & Suffering
Promotion of National & International Friendship, to develop the mental and moral capacities of the youth
SOME FEATURES OF THE YRC UNIT
How to start an YRC Unit?
The YRC Programme Officers should interact with and clearly explain to all the students, the aims and basic principles of YRC as and when he / she meet them during their free time. How joining in YRC unit will help the students in shaping and moulding their personality and developing their leadership qualities in serving the needy and vulnerable, should be precisely presented to them. Their interest is to be kindled and activated by constant, continued and committed counseling. Only those students who are really interested, enthusiastic and service-minded should be taken as volunteers and YRC unit is to be started with this core group. These student members will then elect from among themselves the office bearers i.e., Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary and draw up the action plan well in advance in consultation with the Programme Officer and the Principal for the academic year strictly adhering to the principles of Red Cross movement.
Registration of YRC Unit with IRCS Tamil Nadu State Branch:
YRC Units in colleges need to be registered with the Indian Red Cross Society, Tamil Nadu Branch (IRCS, TNB) by paying Annual Institution Registration Fee of Rs.20/- per college as per the GOVERNMENT ORDER. A Proforma in ANNEXURE is to be duly filled and submitted for registration purpose.
YRC Annual Membership Fee:
As per the G.O. No.293, Higher Education (J1) Department dated 31-08-2005 the Engineering Colleges will have to collect Rs.10/- per student from all the students every year along with the tuition fees. Out of this amount of Rs.10/- an amount of Rs.4/- is to be sent to
THE SECRETARY
INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
TAMIL NADU BRANCH
NEW NO.32 (Old No.50) MONTIETH ROAD
EGMORE, CHENNAI - 600 008
by drawing a Demand Draft in favour of the INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY, TAMIL NADU BRANCH payable at CHENNAI. The balance amount of Rs.6/- will be retained by the respective Colleges for YRC activities. The enrolment form is given in the Annexure. In addition to the students subscription the colleges will have to be pay Rs.20/- per year as Annual Institution Registration Fee (Registration fee should not be collected from the students) as stated above.
Norms for Expenditure:
YRC Annual Membership Fee will be collected from all the students (first year to final year). The Norms for Expenditure of the YRC funds collected from students and other sources are the following:
Furniture
Refreshments
Travelling expenses for both YRC Programme Officer and Students Volunteers
Stationery / Photographs / Mementos
Contingency
Programmes and Activities / Blood Donation.
Activities:
No hard and fast rules are laid down regarding Youth Red Cross activities. The Programme should be adapted to the particular needs of the unit under Programme Officer's guidance. Youth should be encouraged to manage their own affairs and choose their own activities. Their programme should as far as possible include something under each of the following heads:
Promotion of Health and Hygiene.
Service to others.
Relief work during emergencies like flood, fire and other natural calamities.
National integration.
World Friendliness.
YRC ORGANISATIONAL SETUP
YRC University Level Sub-Committee:
President - Vice-Chancellor
Secretary - Zonal / University Co-ordinators
Member - Joint Director of Collegiate Education
Member - District Secretaries
Member - YRC District Organisers
Member - YRC Joint District Organisers
YRC College Level Sub-Committee:
Principal
Programme Officer
Senior Teaching Faculty
YRC Student Volunteer (Officer Bearers)
YRC Zonal / University Co-ordinator:
The Vice-Chancellor of the University nominates a dynamic, devoted, energetic, enthusiastic and service-minded faculty member of the University as the YRC Zonal / University Co-ordinator.
The YRC Zonal / University Co-ordinator takes up the responsibility for the growth and development of YRC in the University Zone. The YRC Zonal / University Co-ordinator will sensitize, induce, encourage, guide and train the young, active, selfless, sacrifice-filled and service-minded YRC Programme Officers nominated by the respective principals of the colleges taking the help, assistance and co-operation of the YRC District Organisers / Joint District Organisers in each district in the University Zone.
YRC District / Joint District Organiser:
The YRC District Organisers / Joint District Organisers are nominated by the YRC Zonal / University Co-ordinator from among the YRC Programme Officers, who have excelled in their Red Cross activities with dedication, commitment, enthusiastic involvement, sacrificing nature and service mind.
The Zonal / University Co-ordinator, District Organisers / Joint District Organisers and the Programme Officers of YRC form the pillars of the Red Cross Movement in the University level firmly founded on the young active, energetic and ready to serve YRC Volunteer groups in the colleges forming the very foundation of the Red Cross Movement in the grass root level.
ROLE OF DIFFERENT FUNCTIONARIES
YRC Zonal / University Co-ordinator:
Liaison between the State Co-ordinator and District Organisers / Joint District Organisers.
Organizing training camps for District Organisers / Joint District Organisers / Programme Officers / YRC members.
Guiding District Organisers / Joint District Organisers / Programme Officers for proper functioning of YRC.
Issuance of certificates to District Organiser / Joint District Organisers / Programmer Officers / YRC Volunteers.
Convening Meeting of College Principals in connection with YRC activities.
Organizing University Level camps / competition for YRC members.
Submission of Half Yearly Reports to State Branch about the YRC activities in Respective Zones.
District Organisers / Joint District Organisers:
Starting of YRC Units in all the Colleges (Arts & Science, Engineering) and Polytechnic in the respective districts.
Helping / guiding Programme Officers in conducting YRC Programme in Colleges.
Liaison between Colleges and University / Zonal Co-ordinators / State Co-ordinator / District Branch.
Organizing training course for Programme Officers.
Organizing yearly District Level Camps for YRC Students.
Organizing yearly District Level Seminars for Programme Officers.
Recommending Participants for State Level Programme to the concerned Zonal / University Co-ordinator.
Organizing District Level Programme like rally, competitions, sports, exhibition for YRC students.
Celebration of Geneva Convention Day, World Red Cross Day, World Health Day, AIDS Awareness Day etc.
Collection of Annual Reports from the YRC Units of Colleges and sending them to State Branch with a copy to the Zonal / University Co-ordinator.
Preparation of Annual Action Plan at District Level.
College Principal:
The Principal of the College will function as a friend, philosopher, guide and facilitator, without whom YRC Units will not be able to function.
Programme Officer:
Formation of the Unit, monitoring its performance, helping the Office-bearers to chalk out programmes, maintenance of records / accounts, liaison with District / Joint District Organisers / Zonal / University Co-ordinators, sending activity reports to State Branch / Zonal / University Co-ordinator.
The YRC Programme Officer is expected to motivate the student youth to understand the values and philosophy of YRC. The overall functions of YRC Progrmme officer are to help the student to plan, implement and evaluate the activities of YRC under his/her charge and give proper guidance and directions to the student volunteers.
College YRC Unit:
YRC Unit will be attached to the Colleges. Both male and female students can join YRC. One YRC Unit could consist of 100 Student Volunteers (50 First Year Volunteers + 50 Senior Volunteers) guided by one YRC Programme Officer who will be a faculty member (Teaching Staff). Depending upon the students strength willing to become YRC volunteers, any number of YRC Units could be started in the colleges.
For effective functioning of the college YRC unit, it would be better if YRC unit has a separate room with adequate furniture. A name board for YRC unit with College Name, Youth Red Cross, properly drawn RED CROSS EMBLEM (Red Cross emblem is formed from five equal red squares with one red square at the centre and the other four red squares on four sides of the centre square on a white back ground) and YRC Unit No. as shown may be prepared and put at the a College Main Gate. YRC Unit No. will be given by YRC HQ (State Branch) on submission of Pro-forma and Registration Fee.
A Red Cross flag, the photo of Jean Henry Dunant, the Father of Red Cross Movement and Red Cross badges for the YRC Volunteers should be obtained (from the YRC HQ).
Red Cross apron, Red Cross Cap or arm band, will be useful for identification and protection of the YRC Volunteers while they are in action. These may be prepared locally as per the design approved by YRC HQ.
In any YRC function in the college level the Red Cross flag will be hoisted in the presence of VIPs, by a VIP and the assembled YRC Volunteers will sing the YRC song.
One of the items of the function will be the unveiling / garlanding the photo of Jean Henry Dunant.
YRC PROGRAMME OFFICERS & YRC VOLUNTEERS TAKE THE PLEDGE
YRC Programme Officers Pledge:
As a Programme Officer of Youth Red Cross, I Promise to serve, to work loyally for the promotion of Health and the relief of suffering and distress, wherever I may find it and to hold in friendship youth of all Nations.
YRC Member Pledge:
I Pledge myself to care my own health and that of others, to help the sick and suffering specially children and to look upon the youth allover the world as my friends.
College Level Advisory Committee for YRC:
It is advised that each college shall have a college level advisory committee consisting of
Principal : Chairman
YRC Programme Officer : Vice-Chairman
One Staff member with Interest in Social Work : Member
YRC Student Chairman : Member
YRC Student Secretary : Member
The over all function of the YRC Advisory Committee at the college level is to advise on the various activities of YRC Unit based on the immediate and urgent needs of the students and the community. It should meet regularly at lease four times during the year.
Records and Register:
The following list of Records and Registers is to be maintained by the College YRC Unit.
