The Red Cross and ethical accountability in non-profit organizations

Aboriginal people are the Indians who live in Canada. Over the years, they have been characterized by poor living conditions, low social status, poverty, discrimination, and social injustices. Government organizations should be on the front ensuring proper treatment and social justice for the Aboriginal people. Red Cross is an example of non-profit organization, which seeks to improve the status of the Aboriginal people, regardless of their social status and with equal treatment to all, as discussed in the paper.

Non-profit organization aims at providing services to the public, while profit organizations aim at profit maximization. Public interest comes first, for the non-profit organization, rather than their interests. The Red Cross is recognized as the non-profit organization, and it is chartered by the U.S. congress. It provides services worldwide, and the general population during times of disaster and the workforce is predominantly volunteers.

Red Cross society

Nonprofit organizations have to be accountable and open, and they should be ready to answer to their investors who have invested their money, faith and trust. They should be accountable to many stakeholders who include; funders, donors, volunteers, local state, general public, federal agencies and program recipients. Apart from being answerable, non- profit organizations should also ensure that they remain true to their mission. Maintaining trust is the paramount of nonprofit organizations because in this way, they can raise more money, and their processes become more effective. In nonprofit organizations, trustees or directors typically develop policies relating the organization's management. The director's purpose is to ensure that the purpose of the nonprofit organization to fulfill the public purpose is accomplished. They also determine the organization's purpose and policies are set for the operation.

The line between nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses is often difficult to distinguish. Several organizations display combinations of nonprofit missions and business operations. Nonprofit organizations today operate in an environment of heightened expectations and accountability. Organizations that fail to reach these expectations are likely to erode confidence of potential funders and supporters hence inviting government enforcement for audits. Sometimes unaccountability can invite the government to introduce new legal requirements with bureaucratic compliance assurances that will accompany these requirements.

Public trust and confidence to nonprofit organizations has been often related to the latest activities, reported in the news. It is critical for nonprofit organizations to lay, down ethics, to ensure that public trust is maintained. The donor bill of rights has laid down donor-focused principles that donors expect from the organizations they support. These bills of rights are the ethical foundation of the development of their programs. Nonprofits who focus on ethics in the fundraising do the following; are truthful in their requests for funds, focus on the organization's mission, use gifts for the right purpose, and educate, to their capacity, to be effective. The ethics also ensure that they respect confidentiality of information about gifts and donors. The staff, which has a role in raising funds, should ensure that the organization raise funds ethically and legally. Since the staffs are the stewards, they should ensure that the donor's intention is honestly fulfilled (Ciconte, B., Jacob, J. pg. 6.).

Relationship between principles and social justice issues

Aboriginal Australian studies involve consideration of various things as ideology, system of knowledge, and worldview or indigenous theories (Hopkins and Gros, V. C, pg. 95).Aboriginal people's understanding of their rights is in some way constrained by contemporary constitutional discourse rights. Aboriginal sovereigntists contend that aboriginal peoples in some way should be accorded a form of unique political status. White paper liberalism continues to capture many attitudes in Canada about aboriginal peoples in Canadian society. The philosophical framework of the white paper is a catalyst for shifting Indian politics in Canada (Turner, A.D. pg. 13).

The theorists respect fair and just laws and denounce laws that degrade human rights and the people who are distinct. There is the white paper liberalism theory, which embodies a variety of broadened theory of liberalism. Three main ideas characterize the versions of it. Liberalism privileges an individual as the fundamental unit for the theory of justice. This implies that individuals count most when we think about justice theories. Fundamental notions about equality and freedom are also attached to and measured between individuals. Liberals agree that a good theory of justice has to involve the language of freedom and equality. The white paper talks about Indians being human beings who should be raised in a free environment of social, legal, and economic equality with Canadians. This introduces the concept of human freedom and equality; which are liberal principles of justice. This is a philosophical leap that introduces the discussion of justice. This thus emphasizes on recognition of the normative concepts of freedom and equality. The white paper contained significant massages to the Canadian people; that existing Indian policies were discriminatory. The white paper removes the discriminatory nature of the, federal Indian, policies and policy making in Canada. The paper also adds that separate but equal services do not provide equal treatment. Instead, the government should make all services available for everyone, and everyone should use them equally.

The idea of equality in an environment of truly equal treatment represents a form of egalitarianism. White paper presents fundamental principles that are liberally right. Principles guiding liberalism includes freedom, equality opportunity and moral individualism. Individualism comes in place when Indian is viewed as man with his own rights. The fundamental moral unit of developing rightful theory of justice is deviating from the sanctity of moral individualism. One virtue of moral individualism is the political thinking that; every citizen of the state has the same moral worth, and must be treated equally for the opportunities of good living to be made available to all citizens. This brand of liberalism is the most influential in developing, aboriginal public, policy in Canada. The philosophy of the white paper is mostly concerned with rights under its vision of a justified society. Moral individualism requires some philosophical framework to give it meaning.

Therefore, living in a constitutional society entitles us to own property as individuals, have opportunities to pursue the abundant life, and are free to choose for ourselves (with our own reasons) what a good life is, and hang together with the idea of privileging the individual in the theory of justice. The commitment of philosophy is woven in the ideal of capitalism in a free market economic system, to frame our political understanding of justice. Other ideas revolve around enjoyment of the same rights, benefits, and economic opportunities just like other citizens of the state (Turner, A.D. pg. 28).

Another Aboriginal theory of justice is the theory of restorative justice. Restorative justice is a form of criminal rehabilitation as opposed to punishment or criminal justice. Restorative justice is more concerned about how we should respond to the wrongdoings of criminals. We live in a relational universe, and harm done as a result of criminal acts threatens or sometimes destroys these relationships. It diminishes social worth of victims and offenders because it disconnects them with the rest of the community. Restorative justice therefore aims at restoration of victims and offenders to their full potential as relational beings. Different methods are used for restoration like, dialogue which provides a safe structure for respectful engagement. It also offers a possibility for healing and meaningful accountability, authentic engagement and life generating outcomes. Some forms include victim -- offender mediation, peacemaking circles and family group conferencing (Umbreit, M., Dr. Marilyn, Armour, E. pg. 84).

Although the Aboriginal people were rich in cultural and spiritual traditions, these traditions were altered on their arrival to Europe. This has resulted to the present day results such as poverty, drug use and substances, and poor health. However, Red Cross society has aimed at creating equality between everyone in Canada, with equal rights and no discrimination whatsoever. According to the philosophical theories of Aboriginal studies, it expounds more on how the Aboriginal people have improved their social status with time. Theory of restorative justice explains how justice is convened amongst the Aboriginal people and seeks to restore Aboriginal people who were once criminals and offenders to their relative beings. Aboriginal studies bring out the inequalities that lie within the region that Aboriginal people reside. According to the white paper philosophy, it advocates for three key problems facing the Aboriginal people, that is; equality, moral individualism and freedom for everyone. The white paper philosophy links such human activities to the four principles of social justice, and seeks for equal rights for Aboriginal people with other people in the states.

White paper philosophy advocates for the Aboriginal people to own their own property, to have their own decision on what to choose, and to seek and obtain new opportunities. This ensures equality among Aboriginal people and other people in the state. This encourages the enjoyment of state rights amongst all individuals in the same state. Liberally rights are also advocated in the white paper philosophy, which fights for liberty and consideration of human rights in Canada. Therefore, the philosophical theories explain what Aboriginal people undergo and advocates for their social justice in the state with no discrimination whatsoever, impartial, and neutral to everyone in the state.

Challenges facing Red Cross

Red Cross has undergone several difficulties while operating its duties to the public. Ethical issues have acted as barriers and have posed serious difficulties to their operations. Aboriginal women have faced discrimination over the past years. They have been subjected to racism, sexual harassment and are undermined in the society (Roy, D. pg. 222). Although justice system has tried to solve the issue, it has done remarkably little to help the Aboriginal women. This poses a serious danger to women who ought to receive public services from the Red Cross society, as they will be considered last, or not fully considered while giving services to the Aboriginal people. Children are also given minimum attention by the society, which acts as one of the main failures and challenged faced by the Red Cross society. In fear of what they might go through, such isolated and abandoned groups finds difficult to accept services from outsiders.

Lack of enough resources, both financially and economic wise, by the Red Cross society is a challenge. Despite the fact that Canada is a rich country, it lacks enough resources to cater for indigenous people in the Aboriginal areas. Poor infrastructure to reach the Aboriginal people is a threat to Red Cross, as it comes in with delays of their services and hence, minimal services offered. Lack of proper governance and local administration also renders difficult for public duties to be done in the region, since they lack co-ordination and togetherness. Given that the Red Cross society aims at improving the welfare of the Aborigines, still, every week comes in with a negative report based on the problems facing aboriginal people. This renders difficult for such organization to offer its help, as the Aboriginal people problems increase at a high rate.

Non-profit organizations aim at providing services, hence no competition by other service providing organizations that seek profits. Lack of competition could be interpreted as offering of services, whether good or bad. This is a threat to the Red Cross organization, as people could translate its efforts as mere assistance, which people can do without and hence, not necessarily relevant.

Recommendations

The government of the state should provide enough resources for voluntary societies, such as Red Cross, for effective support of indigenous communities. Funds should be set aside specifically for the Aboriginal people to help improve their social and economic welfare, and should highly consider those living in poor conditions. Government mediation in terms of the fund could also aid in high standards of services provided to people, who will embrace the service providing organizations. Infrastructure should be improved for quicker access and easy administration of services by the Red Cross society to the indigenous people. Good road networks will ensure the provision of services is on time.

Discrimination still dominant amongst Aboriginal people should be abolished by the social justice team. Women should be given chances in the society, and equal rights as men. Women and children are the most endangered species and, therefore, attention should be highly considered to them. Education and training of Aboriginal people will help them learn on how to cope with problems that arise from time to time. Proper set up of educational and training institutions will enable Aboriginal people access knowledge and skills on how to cope with daily life problems.

Local administrators should be set up for them to air out problems facing Aboriginal people. Proper system of governance and administration will ensure equal distribution of services, with no discrimination. It will also ensure that Aboriginal community is considered whenever the government ought to redistribute resources across the state.

Difficulties of implementing recommendations

Recommendations can be difficult to implement due to various factors. Lack of enough government financial support to voluntary organizations can render its practices difficult. Material aid needed to give to the people who require can be difficult to obtain without enough financial support. Constant problem that rises with time makes it difficult for the organization to perform its duties, as the problems proof to be tougher. Administration and governance does not come easily too. Before setting up a stable and reliable system, forming a government would also take some time, and resources would be wasted while trying to form a more stable government. Lack of co-operation and unity amongst Aboriginal people will be a dominant characteristic of the government, before a unified government.

Setting up learning and training institutions may take quite some time. The period of setting up such institutions could take long, and hence, people will still face the difficulty of coping up with rising problems. Voluntary organizations will also have a greater task in helping those affected by such problems, before such institutions are set up.

Implementation of the above recommendations will aid in proper provision of services to the Aboriginal people, impartially, neutrally and with no discrimination. Setting up of training and learning institutions will improve the skills of the people on how to fight problems such as poverty, improper housing and also disaster management. This will, in turn, minimize the cost of resources required, by non-profit organization, to cater for such families.

Proper governance implies proper administration and redistribution of resources. This will help, in that resources will be allocated accordingly, and equally to all. It will also foster unity amongst the Aboriginal people. Unity will enable them carry out duties together as one, and fight problems together, which it will be easier. Proper governance will also advocate for the rights of the oppressed in the society, which it will fight for their rights. This will encourage justice, liberalism, and protection of human rights to every individual.

Conclusion

Non-profit organizations should ensure that their purpose and mission is fully accomplished. This will create faith in the public and those involved in contribution of their process. During the scope of their duties, non-profit organizations should ensure that they are just and serve everyone equally and in an ethical manner. Aboriginal people have been victims of social injustices, and the public organizations should be in the fore front in implementing social justice; this will ensure that all people get equal treatment. Red Cross being a non-profit organization should also serve people equally prevents discrimination so as to protect human rights and promote justice at all levels.