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In Response . . .
Posted Friday, September 5, 2008, at 2:48 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Sorry for the delay in responding to all of the wonderful comments on my first return blog. Since it took me a while to get hooked up with the Missourian to be a "responder" to my blog, and my responses turned out to be rather lengthy (because of all the great comments), I decided to just post this as another blog. I'll try to respond more promptly to questions from now on. One of my hopes with this blog was to educate folks about the United Way. Many things we hear when we talk to folks are truly misunderstandings about United Way that we love to have the opportunity to clear up. I'll do my best to be brief in addressing some of the concerns expressed by those of you who have taken the time to read it.
1. Typos. My bad! Totally. I was in a hurry and did not spell check. A lesson learned. And totally appropriate to point out "fxpwt". Quality is a big thing with me (not apparent, huh?)- and the reputation of this organization is one I hope to grow, not damage. Although never perfect, I will certainly try to do much better! (But, as you see, I will still start sentences with "and" - it's just a style - sorry.) 2. Support of social change vs. charitable organizations. The message is getting through - hurray - with one slight adjustment. Our transformation from fundraising to community impact is meant to address the root causes of social issues (via social change) with our charitable organizations at our side working with us. We fully intend to continue to support the same quality organizations we have to help them provide the foundation of services a community needs. It's not a choice between social change and charities - it's collaboration with charities to cause social change to strengthen families. Stats. Please tell me what stats you would like to see "BABE" - we are an open book!
3. Boy Scouts. Thank you "John Stuart Mill" for your comments. Your comments were right on (except for the "ignorant redneck" one - my brother is a redneck so I have to appreciate their point of view!). We love it when folks bring up the Boy Scout/homosexual issue because it gives us an opportunity to correct this misconception. The National organization (United Way of America) does not "support" organizations - they do not fundraise and they do not fund programs - nor do they dictate to local United Ways who we can and cannot fund. Each United Way is a locally "owned and operated" organization governed by a Board of local people who make all funding decisions. The United Way of Southeast Missouri supports the Boy Scouts and always has. When the issue of homosexual Scout leaders worked its way to the Supreme Court and became national news there was apparently an employee from a local United Way in Florida that was on a national news program indicating their United Way would no longer support the Boy Scouts in their community because of the policy prohibiting organizations they fund from discriminating. United Way of America has told us that there are only seven local United Way organizations (out of over 1,350) that have stopped funding the Boy Scouts. Dues. We pay 1% of what we raise each year to the United Way of America and, in return, receive a wealth of valuable information and services. Be happy to elaborate if you'd like, "Robert Goodbody" - just let me know. 4. Coercion. We are totally, unequivocally, undeniably against coercion but have no control over CEO's and managers who, by nature, are competitive, and feel compelled to use that as a tactic to increase their campaign totals. We do not want people to feel forced to give, "BABE" - what's the point in that? If anyone is feeling overtly coerced to give through their employee campaign - please let us know. We'd love to encourage them to stop!
5. Giving directly to charities vs. through United Way. We totally agree, "flyer" - if you have a real passion for a particular agency you should give directly to them. The value added by giving through the United Way - particularly with our new focus on community impact - is the value of the research and data we receive from other communities and United Way of America to help us better understand what strategies are working elsewhere in addressing the same issues. AND - we have always done a thorough job at looking at financial data and other information from agencies we fund to ensure they are using your donation to the fullest extent possible - something most donors don't really have the time to do. 6. Charlotte, NC United Way. I was also very surprised - and disappointed - at this level of pay, "Robert". I do believe, however, that this case is very much the exception rather than the rule - which is also why that CEO has been let go. I have had the privilege of meeting many United Way CEO's in our major city's - including Charlotte - and am extremely impressed with their level of intellect and passion for our work - however, I don't feel any executive is worth quite that much. I guarantee you our salaries at the United Way of Southeast Missouri are comparable to any nonprofit in our area. Check out our IRS form 990 on our website, www.unitedwayofsemo.org. Click on "Who we Are", "Who is United Way", and "Business Tax" to find it. And let me know if you have any questions. 7. Volunteerism. So glad to be asked about volunteerism, "Almanac". United Way's Days of Caring was an opportunity for us to invite donors into agencies that we fund so they could see first hand how the funds were being used. We have moved the dates around from year to year for various reasons - but really want to settle on a date so people will remember it and so that it can grow. LaCroix Church began an amazing volunteer outreach project last year with their first Blitz Day. It is scheduled again this year, only expanded to invite more churches to participate. Due to it's timing (the Blitz Day is September 27) we decided to collaborate with them this year in promotion of our Days of Caring. They have already invested a great deal of time identifying projects throughout the community and we simply felt collaborating was a better use of our resources and time. United Way is continuing to promote volunteerism throughout September to any company looking for a group activity during the week. Volunteering has proven to improve morale that increases productivity that increases profits! Good idea for any business it would seem!!! The VIC/RSVP does a fantastic job locally of coordinating volunteerism - we urge anyone and everyone to contact them directly to get "hooked up" with a volunteer job (335-7555). They are also linked in with us and LaCroix to coordinate projects for us and for community members after the Sept. 27 Blitz Day. We are simply promoting volunteerism through our business contacts while we have their attention promoting our annual campaign. There is another group of individuals meeting - lead by an amazing local individual - who is putting together a community-wide volunteer event in April. Stay tuned for more information about that. Hope that clarifies things for you.
So - sorry this turned out to be so long. Thank you all again for the opportunity to explain a few things. I'm still wondering, though, what you think of our new call to action "LIVE UNITED". Then I'll move on to another topic. Peace! Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
A native of St. Louis, Nancy lived in Cape for five years in the early 70's and moved back in 1995 with her family. Nancy graduated college from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a B.S. in Business Administration. Back in Cape, she accepted the job of Executive Director at the United Way. Nancy's husband is a trainer at NARS and their children, Patrick, 21 (student at Mizzou), Jeremy 18 (student at Southeast) and Jenna, 13 (8th grader at Cape Jr. High), are the light of their lives. Another big part of her life is her faith, attending church at Westminster Presbyterian where she teaches Sunday School and works with the youth group.
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I would like to know the national and/or local revenues that are received and the percentage of administrative costs. What is your salary?
I would like you to specify what local organizations or agencies receives funds and how much.
Here ya go, Nancy, add another United Way chapter to that list.
From tonights, September 6th, CBS News. One United Way $10,000 donor was so peeved that he started his own charity to support the Boy Scouts.
"Boy Scouts Vs. United Way In California
Charity Cuts Off Funding Because Scouts Bar Gays
(CBS) A Boy Scout is always supposed to be prepared, but the Ventura County, California, scouts were blindsided when, after 57 years, the local United Way stopped funding them, reports CBS News Correspondent Sandra Hughes.
"We were getting allocations from United Way of about $50,000 a year," said Dave Graska of the Ventura County Boy Scouts.
The United Way decision was made after the Boy Scouts of America announced it would exclude gays from the organization.
The charity then passed an inclusiveness policy stating it would only fund: "...agencies that provide services ... without discriminating on the basis of ... sexual orientation."
"The reality is there are a lot of people in Ventura county who happen to agree with our policy," said Dave M. Smith, president of the United Way of Ventura County.
Not major donors Denny and Allyson Weinberg, who gave $100,000 to the United Way last year.
"This was very confusing because this inclusiveness policy came out of nowhere," said Denny Weinberg. "It wasn't promoted, there was no press release, there was no letter to donors about this."
The Weinbergs were so upset they stopped giving to the United Way and launched their own fundraising effort called "Friends of Ventura County Scouts."
Their ads urge supporters to donate: "The Boy Scouts of America are making a positive difference in our community yet United Way of Ventura County is ending their support for the Scouts."
So far the group has raised almost $80,000, much more than the United Way ever planned to give.
"People love scouting, it's an American tradition, it's like baseball for heaven's sakes," said Allyson Weinberg.
After the June 2000 Supreme Court decision which affirmed the Boy Scouts' right to ban gays, about 50 local United Way chapters pulled their financial support - but that's only about five percent of chapters nationwide.
"We don't base our policy on what the United Way chapter in Lexington, Kentucky, or Fargo, North Dakota happens to think the policy should be," said Ventura County's David Smith.
But the United Way did try to compromise, offering $50,000 to an educational program affiliated with the scouts.
For now, the Ventura County scouts don't want the money.
"We respect the right of the United Way to establish its values, just as we have the right to establish ours," said scout leader Dave Graska.
A sentiment shared by many in a town now divided between two of its most cherished institutions. "
Im sure Nancy is ready and willing to answer most any question you ask her BABE. But if you are just trolling for cynisism, youll more than likely find some crease you can crawl in to. If you truly want to help make a difference, get involved. Ive been involved in United Way for years, and have participated in agency review and other initiatives. One thing you learn almost immediately is how many people volunteer locally to assist others and how strongly those people feel about helping their community in spite of the critics that snark from the monkey gallery. Instead of grilling Nancy, as you have every right to do, lend a hand as countless others are unselfeshly doing. United Way remains the best vehicle for any of us to assist those in our communities that need a helping hand.
Just a quick tour through the website brings us this. I have found local United Way agencies to be very responsive and concerned about their responsibilities. I have seen no less here.
Every United Way must:
Be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as well as corresponding provisions of other applicable state, local or foreign laws or regulations. United Ways must file the IRS Form 990 annually in a timely manner. Large United Ways will submit their entire IRS Form 990 to United Way of America annually.
Comply with all other applicable legal local, state, and federal operating and reporting requirements (e.g., nondiscrimination, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, USA Patriot Act).
Have an active, responsible, and voluntary governing body, which ensures effective governance over the policies and financial resources of the organization.
Adhere to a locally developed and adopted statement to ensure volunteers and staff broadly reflect the diversity of the community it serves.
Represent itself as a United Way in accordance with all United Way of America trademark standards and requirements.
Support the United Way system by providing financial support to United Way of America according to the membership investment formula.
Adhere to a locally developed and adopted code of ethics for volunteers and staff which includes provisions for ethical management, publicity, fundraising practices and full and fair disclosure. All large United Ways will submit a copy of their code of ethics to United Way of America.
Undergo an annual audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant whose examination complies with generally accepted auditing standards and GAAP. United Ways with annual revenue totaling less than $100,000 may have their financial statements reviewed by an independent accountant. Large United Ways will submit their audited financial statements to United Way of America annually.
Conduct every three years a volunteer-led self-assessment of its community impact work, financial management, and organizational governance and decision making.
"Stats. Please tell me what stats you would like to see "BABE" - we are an open book!"
I took her at her word but so far I have received no answer to my questions.
Don't hold your breath, Babe. This was the MO of the previous blog, too. Post an entry with lots of jabs at the readers about how we should live & think, then ignore any questions or points raised. The UW has not gotten a dime of my money for years and never will again if I have anything to do with it. Too much lying, sidestepping legitimate questions, and fakery to suit me.
For BABE:
Income vs. expenses: Per our most recent IRS Form 990 for our fiscal year ending 6/30/07, our total income was reported at $1,438,457 . All of this is a result of local fundraising no funding comes from the United Way of America. Of this total, 11%, or $160,185, was spent on administrative, fundraising and dues our 1% dues to UWA. Our costs are so low because of the tremendous support we get from our business community and because we work hard at spending the dollars entrusted in us wisely. Its another good reason to give to the United Way.
Salaries Our salaries are reviewed every year by our Board to ensure they are comparable to salaries of other similar positions in the United Way system for our region and other local nonprofits. You will find some salaries much higher, and some much lower we are squarely in the middle. I again refer you to our IRS Form 990 found on our website.
Agency funding: Please visit our website (www.unitedwayofsemo.org), click on Media Center/Press Releases/5.2.08 Allocations Announced . . .
Thanks for the questions and for your interest and sorry it took me so long to respond!
For Robert:
My point exactly! Local United Way decisions are made by local Board members who represent the community and their attitudes about various issues. I would expect a United Way Board in California to make the decision this one made, wouldnt you? Again we have supported the Boy Scouts since the United Way was created in this area 53 years ago. Thanks for your interest.
For KatieM:
We recognize that not EVERYONE is going to support the United Way for a variety of reasons but lying is certainly not a legitimate one neither is trickery or sidestepping. Our accountability and transparency is one of the main reasons people do give to the United Way. So sorry you feel that way and wish there was something we could do to correct it, but we understand that we may not be able to in all cases.