Red Cross Sint Maarten welcomes back van der Steen as Manage
Red Cross Sint Maarten has filled two critical positions to ensure a proper organizational structure is in place to handle the day to day functions of the Red Cross.
The board of Red Cross Sint Maarten has appointed Ms. Julia Boasman as Brigade Commander and welcomes back Mrs. Marjan van der Steen as manager of the renewed chapter.
Commander Julia Boasman, daughter of the late Captain Gaston Boasman was born in Aruba, is a mother of three and has served in the Red Cross Brigade for 15 years. Ms. Boasman says "she is very happy to serve in her new position." Ms. Boasman no stranger to Red Cross, she has been responsible for the Red Cross medical department, shelters, she has served as field commander and is presently a First Aid Instructor. "I’m looking forward to taking the Red Cross to new levels" said Ms. Boasman.
Meanwhile the Red Cross SXM board is pleased to welcome back Mrs. Marjan van der Steen as the Chapter’s new Manager. "I am happy to be back. After a break of 3 years I got the opportunity to return to the Red Cross organization and it feels great!" said Marjan, who came to St. Maarten in 1997 after working fifteen years for the banking industry in Holland.
"While the work was steady and often intriguing, I did not find it completely fulfilling. I longed for a greater challenge, a challenge that was rooted in helping others and when presented a job opening as Assistant Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Netherlands Red Cross Delegation after hurricane George in 1998, I accepted it. I worked 4 years for the Delegation because after hurricane George we had to deal with the damages caused by Jose and Lenny in 1999. The next 4 years I volunteered my time as Board Secretary for the Red Cross St. Maarten and as Project Coordinator for the Saba and Statia Red Cross. Unfortunately I had to leave the organization in 2007."
When asked what she like most about working for the Red Cross Mrs. van der Steen said "that it is such a strong international body that doesn’t discriminate and it’s not politically connected. These are two of the seven Fundamental Principles on which the International Red Cross Red Crescent Organization is build on. In essence, there is no bureaucracy to tangle with when emergencies arise. Instead, help and services flow freely to those who need it most."
As it relates to Red Cross functioning on a local level Marjan says, "Locally we need to remain focused on Vulnerability in our community and work more with our youth. Additionally, we need to update the training of our volunteers, interact with the other islands and bring more Red Cross awareness into our own volunteer groups and the community."
For more information on how you can become an active member of Red Cross St. Maarten, please call 545-2333/2304 or send an e-mail to info@redcross-sxm.org.