WELCOME You are invited to join Australian Red Cross society of women leaders
An introduction to Tiffany Circle Australian Red Cross Society of Women Leaders is part of a growing international movement: The Tiffany Circle. You are invited to join us and make an impact in your community. As a community of women leaders and philanthropists, we will work together to advance the mission of Australian Red Cross by engaging and embracing women in our communities, across the country, and around the world.
OUR GOAL: To build a strong group of professional, philanthropic and executive women who will act as advocates for the work of Australian Red Cross, through their joint support of key programs they select, as well as by raising awareness of the work of the largest humanitarian organisation in the world. What is the ethos of the Australian Red Cross Society of Women Leaders? - Advancing the humanitarian mission of Australian Red Cross - To be with like-minded women who are making a difference - Make a measurable impact on important issues facing our communities - Improve the lives of other women - Build strategic alliances for change - Lend our voice to the issues we believe in most - A Global Society of Women Leaders as part of the International Tiffany Circle We invite you to join us in friendship, with like-minded, strong women who are interested in getting closer to their giving. We are so proud to be a part of an international network of women of all ages who are continuing a long legacy of women supporting Australian Red Cross, helping people in need.
Sincerely
Kimberly Gire
Francesca Packer Barham
Australian Tiffany Circle Chair and Founding Member
Australian Tiffany Circle Founding Member
A group of volunteers walk down the street fundraising for Red Cross in Victoria.
100 YEARS OF WOMEN’S SERVICE TO AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS Women have been at the forefront of Red Cross since its foundation In the days after the outbreak of World War I, the wife of the then Governor General Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, established the first branch (as part of the British Red Cross Society) in Australia on 13 August 1914. She wrote to the wives of each State Governor to secure their support and Red Cross branches were quickly formed in each state. Australian women flocked to the cause. Australian women’s efforts on the home front to support the nation during WWI and WWII were monumental. They worked tirelessly for Red Cross in response to the national emergency, serving the humanitarian needs of the nation,
As we look ahead to the next 100 years, we invite the next generation of women to join our humanitarian cause >> Between the wars Red Cross women volunteers continued to care for sick, injured and recovering returned servicemen and their families. They worked in hospitals and community health to support national health emergencies, such as the Spanish flu epidemic, the spread of tuberculosis, and the Blood Transfusion Service. In the post war era from 1945‒1965 many women, largely through branches, cared for returned servicemen with disabilities
and expanded their work into other social services, including assisting war brides, supporting women and children in need, working in hospitals and helping new migrants to Australia. Their experience of voluntary public service during times of war laid a strong foundation for service to Red Cross during peacetime. As one of Australia’s largest, oldest nongovernment voluntary organisations, Red Cross adapted and flourished to become a diverse national organisation. Women have remained an integral part of Red Cross, volunteering across a broad range of national and state based programs including disaster and emergency services, community development, first aid training, overseas aid and blood service. Today the vast majority of Red Cross members are still women, many of whom have proudly given a lifetime of service to helping people in need.
The Tiffany Circle is named after the beautiful windows produced by Tiffany Studios in 1917 for the American Red Cross headquarters in Washington D.C. The women in these windows personify virtues synonymous with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement including hope, charity and fortitude.
Introducing the TIFFANY CIRCLE, a global society of influential women, of action and commitment, to whom giving is much more than contributing financially‌ In Washington D.C. the Louis Comfort Tiffany windows inside Red Cross headquarters reflect the history of strong women supporting us around the world. As the source of the Tiffany Circle name, the women reflected in the Tiffany stainedglass windows personify virtues at work in the global Red Cross Movement: hope, mercy, faith, charity, truth and fortitude. The women of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle around the world continue to provide living examples of these virtues in their local communities. The Australian Red Cross Society of Women Leaders is part of a growing international movement: We are a community of women leaders and philanthropists who work together to advance the mission of Australian Red Cross by engaging and embracing women in our communities, across the country, and around the world. The Tiffany Circle reflects a growing movement across Australia and across the world; women are leading the way when it comes to philanthropy. The Tiffany Circle mobilises the power of women in philanthropy to benefit the most disadvantaged in our communities. Women today increasingly want to see the change they are creating in the world, and they equally want to be a part of this change. Tiffany Circle gives women the opportunity to have this greater level of involvement in their giving. The Tiffany Circle is led by its members, who collectively determine the goals of the circle. Every woman who becomes a member of the Tiffany Circle will commit to making an annual gift of $10,000 to Australian Red
Cross. Each member may also sponsor a Youth Member (under 25 years old) who will pledge $500 each year for three years. Youth members will also be provided with opportunities to get more involved with their giving through volunteering for Australian Red Cross in their local communities.
The Tiffany Circle reflects a growing movement of women who are leading the way on philanthropy>> From a list of key projects both in Australia and overseas, members will be able to decide which Red Cross program they would like to support, becoming personally involved with Red Cross staff and volunteers at a high level. Throughout the year, members can choose to attend a series of unique, informative and engaging briefings and events, both in Australia and in conjunction with other global Tiffany Circle chapters, in the USA, UK, Canada and France. The women of Tiffany Circle are also invited to use their leadership and professional skills to advocate for the most disadvantaged in our communities. Sharing their knowledge of Red Cross projects and services with others, helping to drive public knowledge and understanding of what we do.
THE INTERNATIONAL TIFFANY CIRCLE When you join Australian Red Cross society of women leaders, you become a member of the International TIFFANY CIRCLE. Since its inception, woman around the world have played a key role in Red Cross history through their displays of courage and determination to improve the lives of those in need, during wartime, in the field. The international Tiffany Circle continues this legacy. Founded in 2007 by American Red Cross President, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, the international Tiffany Circle is a global, women-only giving circle. Engaging dynamic women from all backgrounds from around the world to come together, forge friendships and further the work of Red Cross through this powerful work. They each share a vision of ‘changing lives, and strengthening communities through a focused investment of their time, talent and treasure.’ An impressive $51 million has been raised by over 900 Tiffany Circle members in America, Canada, the UK and France since 2007. These Tiffany Circle members support the life changing work of Red Cross in such a tangible way. Now women in Australia have the opportunity to do the same. Tiffany Circle Members around the world, a common thread of benefits and opportunities: - Every woman who joins Tiffany Circle around the world receives the same Tiffany & Co. bracelet and unique Red Cross charm. Each year, renewing members will receive an additional Tiffany & Co. charm, reflecting their
ongoing commitment to the work of Red Cross. - Detailed information and regular updates to provide a unique insight into the work of Red Cross and the projects they are supporting. - Opportunities to visit Red Cross service projects and / or volunteer in their local area. - Invitations to attend unique and informative Tiffany Circle events each year. Tiffany Circle members are also given the opportunity to attend Australian, British, American, Canadian and French Red Cross educational and prestigious events. - Opportunity to meet and engage with a diverse group of successful and passionate women throughout the country and internationally. Invitations to other Red Cross events such as briefing and lectures on the impact of Red Cross work in Australia and internationally. Members who wish to give time as well as money can participate in a number of activities; from membership of a Tiffany Circle committee to volunteering for a Red Cross program (volunteering may require specialist training).
Your support will bring about lasting, lifesaving change to thousands of people. Help stop human trafficking. Red Cross believes that people who have been trafficked or forced into marriage are amongst the most vulnerable members of the community. Since beginning this work in 2009, Red Cross has provided support to more than 130 women and men who have been trafficked in Australia. Many are likely to have experienced trauma, psychological abuse, be socially isolated and have complex health and welfare needs. People are often afraid to come forward as they fear retaliation. They or their family members may have been threatened with deportation or violence. Red Cross also advocates to policy makers, raises community awareness and works with the community services to scope emerging issues in the area to ensure that people who have trafficked or forced into marriage receive the support they need to recover. Help reconnect families separated or displaced by conflict, war and natural disasters.
International Tracing program.
Operating for 100 years in Australia, our tracing service is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent’s unique global tracing network, which helps families exchange news, re-establish contact and clarify the fact of missing people here and overseas. The personal impact separation from family is often destructive and debilitating, your support can help Red Cross to reduce the negative effects of war and disaster on vulnerable people.
Help provide clean water and sanitation for communities across the region. Each year around the world 1.5 million people die each year as a result of poor sanitation, many of which are young children. Australian Red Cross runs water and sanitation projects across the region providing clean water and sanitation to communities which helps thousands of people each year.
Only those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world succeed.>> Henry Dunant
Help young mothers in the community. Red Cross works with pregnant and young parents to develop effective parenting skills, manage daily challenges and achieve long-term emotional wellbeing. The Young Parents Program works to improve the capacity of young women to live and parent independently through its residential, Outreach and Aftercare programs. Young parents program, teaching young
parents cooking skills and nutrition education.
Recent event generously sponsored by Kellie Robertson at Westpac Private with Tiffany Chair (from right) Kimberly Gire, Tiffany member, Francesca Packer Barham, Dr Helen Durham, Head of International Humanitarian Law, Red Cross and Dr Andrew Rochford, Red Cross Ambassador. CONTACT Australian Red Cross Miranda Jackson Tel: 0407 745 646 Email: mjackson@redcross.org.au
Become a Tiffany Circle member today. By joining our circle, you will become part of a very special international network of women and together we will build friendships, strengthen communities and save lives. We hope that you will consider joining this remarkable group of women today.
Statutory Meeting welcome reception at the Opera House Sydney, 11 November 2013.