Wider scope for United Way
Wednesday, April 05
- Organization: St. Thomas Times Journal
‘From success to significance’ to drive agency’s transformation
In spite of the fact the majority of United Way campaigns are succeeding in their communities across Canada, the institution needs to continue to demonstrate it is about not only raising money but solving problems in the area it serves.
So says the president of United Way Centraide Canada.
Speaking to the United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas annual general meeting Tuesday, Al Hatton said the United Way is borrowing the slogan, "From success to significance" to drive its transformation.
More complex issues and changing jurisdictions are two of the reasons showing the United Way's traditional approach to concentrating only on fundraising are no longer relevant, he said.
What's also changing is that government is becoming a bigger partner with United Way, he said.
"We've got to know we know what government is doing," he said.
With approximately 10,000 new charities launched last year, United Ways face more challenges, he said. Responding to that means working with agencies on long-term solutions instead of just programs to solve their issues.
Hatton said United Ways need to dig deeper than looking just at the number of people served by their agencies.
Studying poverty rates and how many children are succeeding in schools is one approach, he said.
In one example he pointed out where up to 10 organizations for youth were at work in one community, but they did not communicate with each other.
The strength of United Way is its ability to draw people together from a neutral position, he said.
He encouraged volunteers working with United Ways to be more than agency-focused and to, instead, reach out as far as individuals and families.
"Little by little, we're demonstrating this new way of working in the community," he said.
At the annual general meeting, the United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas recognized its major donors, campaign cabinet members and others.
Eighteen businesses and organizations received gold employee awards, recognizing an 80 per cent employee participation rate and average gift of $52. One employer received for the silver award recognizing 75 per cent employee participation and an average gift of $39.
Twenty-four businesses and organizations were honoured with bronze awards, recognizing 50 per cent employee participation and an average gift of $26. Five businesses received the Corporate Fair Share award and special awards went to five businesses.
One of those businesses was Sterling Trucks which raised $304,416, the top contributor to the 2005 campaign. That amount was raised with the reintroduction of the Corporate Match program in which employers match what employees donate.
In 2005, local United Way raised $1,204,202, exceeding its campaign goal by 19.8 per cent.
In spite of the fact the majority of United Way campaigns are succeeding in their communities across Canada, the institution needs to continue to demonstrate it is about not only raising money but solving problems in the area it serves.
So says the president of United Way Centraide Canada.
Speaking to the United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas annual general meeting Tuesday, Al Hatton said the United Way is borrowing the slogan, "From success to significance" to drive its transformation.
More complex issues and changing jurisdictions are two of the reasons showing the United Way's traditional approach to concentrating only on fundraising are no longer relevant, he said.
What's also changing is that government is becoming a bigger partner with United Way, he said.
"We've got to know we know what government is doing," he said.
With approximately 10,000 new charities launched last year, United Ways face more challenges, he said. Responding to that means working with agencies on long-term solutions instead of just programs to solve their issues.
Hatton said United Ways need to dig deeper than looking just at the number of people served by their agencies.
Studying poverty rates and how many children are succeeding in schools is one approach, he said.
In one example he pointed out where up to 10 organizations for youth were at work in one community, but they did not communicate with each other.
The strength of United Way is its ability to draw people together from a neutral position, he said.
He encouraged volunteers working with United Ways to be more than agency-focused and to, instead, reach out as far as individuals and families.
"Little by little, we're demonstrating this new way of working in the community," he said.
At the annual general meeting, the United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas recognized its major donors, campaign cabinet members and others.
Eighteen businesses and organizations received gold employee awards, recognizing an 80 per cent employee participation rate and average gift of $52. One employer received for the silver award recognizing 75 per cent employee participation and an average gift of $39.
Twenty-four businesses and organizations were honoured with bronze awards, recognizing 50 per cent employee participation and an average gift of $26. Five businesses received the Corporate Fair Share award and special awards went to five businesses.
One of those businesses was Sterling Trucks which raised $304,416, the top contributor to the 2005 campaign. That amount was raised with the reintroduction of the Corporate Match program in which employers match what employees donate.
In 2005, local United Way raised $1,204,202, exceeding its campaign goal by 19.8 per cent.
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