Where Most Needed

American Red Cross: The CEO Model Has Failed

New CEO Mark Everson has resigned after six months on the job for having relations with a chapter executive in Mississippi (giving new meaning to Katrina relief).  But the Red Cross has made its greatest strides under interim leadership over the last decade, calling into question whether the organization really needs a high profile chief—and whether they can find one.

Shriners: Bookkeeping for Clowns

New York Times finds lax controls in local Shrine clubs yielding little benefit overall for the Shriners Hospitals, which rely on a huge endowment and direct contributions. 

Harvard Researchers: Back to Bigness

A historian of charities and a lawyer revive interest in charity organizations that combine national and grassroots perspectives in a federated structure. 

Congress Approves Red Cross Reforms

In the bill and the findings included with it, Congress rejects popular notions: charity as an independent Third Sector and the value of self-appointed watchdogs. 

New United Way Rules Devastate a Small Service Agency

A shift of priorities to teens and consumer credit counseling leaves people with disabilities behind.  It's too bad they can't keep up in a competitive world. 

Faith-based Group Falters with Katrina Aid

Another group falls far short of its initial projections about the number of people provided with assistance, but few are paying attention. 

From Taxes to Disasters and Blood

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson to assume the position of American Red Cross chief. 

Smithsonian Governance Study Excludes Input from Museums

The Smithsonian board appoints mostly its own members to its governance review committee, in sharp contrast to the approach taken by the American Red Cross. 

Senator Grassley's Pals Oversee the Smithsonian Institution

Six prominent Republican politicians (and two Democrats) bear the responsibility for monitoring the pay and performance of Smithsonian head Lawrence Small, serving as trustees on the seventeen-member board of regents. 

NAACP Sings the Bloated Board Blues

As with the Red Cross, an unwieldy board structure chews up and spits out executive directors.  It will take an act of Congress to fix the Red Cross board, but there's no rescue in sight for the NAACP.