Ms. Doreen James has been re-elected for the third consecutive year as Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Anguilla Red Cross.

The elections was held on Wednesday 16 th February 2005 at the Red Cross Headquarters in the Valley during the organization's Annual General Meeting.

The remainder of the new executive include Secretary Samantha Ryan and Treasurer Marva Thompson along with some six Area Officer positions.

The Area Officers are Susan Harrigan - Health and Community Officer, Hyacinth Crawford - Assistant Health and Community Officer, Steve McDowall - Training, Ash Hodge - Information and Communication, Rickey Rouphine - Disaster Preparedness, and Samantha Ryan - Youth.

According to Ms. James, the chair not only coordinates the activities of the local organization but is a link between them and the British Red Cross and the Sub-regional Office of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies as well as the government.

James stated that this year the thrust will be on training and disaster preparedness, especially in the area of community mobilization and group formation. She said that the idea is to develop community based disaster programs. Another plan of the group is to utilize their minivan on a more island wide basis. Executive elections are held on a yearly basis.

The Assets of the Anguilla Red Cross grew from around US$11,000 to some US$98,000 over the last year.This is according to a report by Treasurer of the organization Mrs. Marva Thompson.

According to the report the British Red Cross donated some $70,000 in the form of a minivan, equipment and relief supplies.

The Anguilla Government also contributed some $15,000 in the form of duty free concessions and other support.

Meanwhile, the organization has been invited by the Government of Anguilla to be represented on its Disaster Preparedness Committee.