Are you a good communicator? Do you have a positive attitude? Are you patient? Do you love to learn? Can you manage a group? Do you like to public speaking?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you are a perfect candidate to be a Red Cross Health and Safety Instructor.

You can be a member of a select group of trained and authorized individuals who reflect the standards and ideals of the American Red Cross. Instructors teach programs within a chapter's jurisdiction and impart knowledge and skills consistent with Red Cross policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.

Each year, nearly 12 million people - that's one in 23 Americans - takes a Red Cross course. During the last 12 months here in Cayuga County, 2,535 citizens received training during 376 classes.

It is easy to become a trained instructor with the new Fundamentals of Instructor training and instructor specialty courses.

Want to learn more about being a Health and Safety Instructor? You are invited to an instructor meeting from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the chapter office, 11 State St., Auburn. A light snack will be served while interested candidates speak with seasoned instructors like Dawn Heusler and Kurt Lavin and the Director of Health & Safety Services Armin Simpson. Your RSVP is requested.

The Cayuga County Chapter will offer Fundamentals of Instructor training from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. Candidates must be at least 17 years old, pass all examinations with a minimum grade of 80 percent and successfully perform all skills in the course. Attendance is mandatory at the three sessions.

Following the in-depth training, you will be ready to teach. You will have access to The Instructor's Corner, an online resource for daily support including SafetNet and a Q&A forum with national instructors, frequent updates for courses, support materials from the chapter and quarterly meetings with local associates.

There are various options in selecting a choice of specialty. You could train to teach any of these course: First Aid, CPR, AED, Sport Safety Training, Emergency Response, CPR-AED for the Professional Rescuer, Baby-sitter Training, Pet First Aid & CPR, Oxygen Administration and Bloodborne Pathogens. You can also train to be a leader and teach First Aid for Children Today, Basic Aid Training, Scrubby Bear, ACT Smart HIV/AIDS Education, Water Safety presentations, Family Caregiving and Longfellow's WHALE Tales.

Instructors may choose to teach directly for the chapter for community courses or full-service courses when requested by a business or agency or as a registered authorized provider for a specific business or all three. Chapter instructors are recognized for their service through a per diem payment.

Still there are other options to be involved with the Red Cross. A Disaster Volunteer Registration Day will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, at the chapter to inform the public about the good works that members of the Disaster Team perform 24/7 and to attract new volunteers. The event is free and open to the community.

If you are 17 or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and are in good general health, you can donate blood. Try one of the 17 blood drives scheduled for September and October. For dates and times, contact the chapter at 252-9596 or e-mail chapter@ccredcross.org.

Lastly, all past, current and future Red Cross volunteers are invited to the annual Volunteer celebration and dessert buffet from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, in The Great Hall, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Auburn. The chapter's annual meeting will also be part of the evening. Reservations are due by Sept. 19.

Susan Marteney is executive director of the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross.