LOTS OF QUESTIONS: UNITED WAY CONDUCTS REVIEWS

American Red Cross director Mary Burton had made her presentation to the United Way agency review committee, then sat back and asked for questions. There were plenty.

How does Red Cross coordinate with other providers of emergency services? Why was the agency asking for an increase in allocation? How does Red Cross determine how much money will need to be put aside for emergencies each year? What happens if the agency runs low on funds? How many volunteers does the agency have?

The questions were asked by Area Wide United Way board members and campaign volunteers who this week have been participating in an annual process that reviews all the agencies requesting United Way funding. The review process of the 25 agencies that received United Way funding from the 1999 campaign, as well as five agencies requesting funding for the first time, began Monday and will continue into next week.

"We review every agency every year to get updated information," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way. "We want to make sure we are funding quality agencies so donors know their money is well spent."

The board will decide which agencies will receive funding at its May 25 meeting, with the amounts of allocations decided after the 2000 campaign ends in December.

To be considered for funding an agency must complete an extensive application form that asks for general agency information, client stories, financial information about the overall agency and the program for which the allocation is being requested, program information and summary information.

While board members could base allocations just on that written information, Jernigan said the personal presentations allow needed interaction between agencies and board members who make the decisions about allocations and volunteers who help with the annual campaign.

"The presentation provides board members an opportunity to meet the people involved in these agencies, to see who they are and get a sense of their qualifications and abilities," Jernigan said.

She likened it to a job interview.

"You can tell a lot from a resume, but you can tell so much more from an interview," Jernigan said.

The review process also gives agencies a chance to showcase and explain their programs and their needs, Jernigan said.

It's an opportunity agency directors like Burton appreciate.

"I feel this is our opportunity to tell people about Red Cross and what we do," said Burton after giving her presentation on Wednesday.