Hamilton Misfeldt LIVES UNITED!

Hamilton Misfeldt is one of our local accounting firms, and is a tremendous supporter of United Way of Cascade County, amongst many other organizations.  For their staff Christmas party, they decided to kick up their heels and show their Live United pride…what a great bunch! Thanks to Gabbye, Jodi and Stacey for their work in organizing the group photo.

Who said accountants were stodgy?! This group looks pretty fun!

Live United Days

Our Live United Days are really catching on during this year’s Pacesetter Campaign, and we couldn’t be happier for the positive response and comments we’ve gotten from the community (and the great press doesn’t hurt either!).  Centene Corporation held their Live United Day yesterday, and from the sounds of it have a lot of exciting things planned for their employees.

Its never too early to teach them to Advocate! Thanks Centene for letting us decorate your sidewalk!

Pictures, Please!

We are aways behind on posting pictures from some of the fantastic campaign events happening in our pacesetter companies, so here goes!

What a sport! Stockman Bank real estate lender Jason takes a pie for UW!

Campaign Chair Lynn and UW President Gary taking bets on who throws the better pitch.

Lynn livin' united in the dunk tank!

Love those early morning chalk parties!

Thanks Great Falls Teachers Federal Credit Union!

A Small Cities Snapshot: Optimism and Realism a Part of Small City Campaign Goals

Rob Mackey, Director, Small Cities, United Way of America

 

As the worst recession in a generation mires on, some small United Ways are putting on their rose- colored glasses and raising their campaign goals to meet their spirit.   On average, 60 Small Cities surveyed (with dollar goals) have increased their hopes for new dollars by a collective 4.4%.    Overall, small local United Ways are “cautiously optimistic” about this year’s campaign (46%) but 39% say they are “worried” or “really worried” about the upcoming drive.   One of those is Scott Robinson, exec at United Way of Tuscarawas County, New Philadelphia, Ohio.   Scott says “We are a manufacturing-based economy with a focus on the automotive, infrastructure, and housing markets. Our economy never seems to recover to prior levels before it worsens again.  The bottom line is too many smokestacks and not enough technology-based businesses.”   

 

The general state of the local economy is the dominant issue on the minds of Small City professionals (39%) with another 27% saying last year’s campaign was the toughest they have ever experienced and this year will be the same or worse.   Official UWA research on the subject shows that giving recedes during recessions, particularly the year after a recession, or the “lag” year.    In Lapeer, Michigan, exec Michelle Steiner says June’s unemployment there skyrocketed to 18.6%.   “The auto industry is in a real funk,” she says.   Many car dealerships have closed and many auto industry support jobs (known as “Tier 2”) have disappeared.   “People are leaving the state to get work,” says Michelle.  That includes her husband – who has been working in construction in Oregon since last October.    “I’m a ‘recession widow,’” she laments saying he flies home every 3 weeks to see her.   Although campaign revenue has been soft, grants have been a big help – including a $200,000 grant for which United Way of Lapeer County has been appointed lead fiscal agent for housing stabilization services.     15% of respondents say that layoffs have occurred at a major corporate donor or closed altogether. 

 

With the transformation of local United Ways to Community Impact (as well as the increased difficulty in making goal)  there’s a been a slight uptick in the number of United Ways moving away from a public “thermometer” to track progress on the goal.   38% of small United Ways now say they are no longer using the thermometer, another 51% still are, and 11% have gone back to using the thermometer after not having one for a year or more.  

 

With another very challenging campaign ahead, what gives local United Ways optimism?   22% say it’s “amazing” volunteer leadership, either a great campaign chair and/or campaign cabinet.   15% are jazzed about LIVE UNITED, and 8% say the Education, Income, and Health framework is generating excitement.  

 

But 2008 was actually a pretty good year for some, and a quarter of those surveyed think they’ll continue to thrive this year.    Because the composition of local economies can vary a great deal, some seem impervious to the roller-coaster ride that has affected the globe.     Take Orrville, Ohio, where Helen Meyers is the Executive Director:  “The J. M. Smucker Co. is half of our campaign, and they are doing very well,” she says.   “We have a diversified industrial base, with almost every company supportive of UW. That being said, we’ve also had layoffs and auto dealerships in tenuous situations. I have noticed, though, that people are still ‘eating out’ in large numbers.”

 

Other findings from the Small Cities Snapshot on the 2009 Campaign:

• 46% of local United Ways still have a public goal measured in dollars 
• 4% use “lives touched” or some other non-monetary goal 
• 10% track both dollars and a non-monetary measurement
• 6% had a public goal to “raise more than we raised last year” 
• 17% are not using a public goal (some use an internal goal)
• Another 13 United Ways had yet to set their goal

Campaign Cabinet

Its been awhile in coming, but we finally have most of our Campaign Cabinet in place…      

 United Way of Cascade County Announces 2009-2010 Campaign Cabinet 

Gregg Smith, Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Way of Cascade County, is pleased to announce Lynn Compton of The PEAK Health & Wellness has been selected as Campaign Chairman for the 2009-2010 United Way Campaign.  According to Gregg, “Lynn Compton is one of the most enthusiastic and energetic people I know, and she is extremely competent as well. I have absolutely no doubt that she will use her many talents to lead the United Way Campaign to success this year.” 

Julie Duffy of Stockman Bank will be serving as this year’s Vice Chair, and Peter Gray with Benefis’ Heart and Vascular Institute will be holding the Assistant Vice Chair position. The Campaign Cabinet is comprised of the Campaign Chair, Vice Chair, Assistant Vice Chair, and ten Division Chairs.  The Campaign Cabinet manages and coordinates the campaign, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to the United Way of Cascade County and our community.  Campaign dollars raised are then allocated in the spring to local health and human service providers that meet high-priority community needs.  

This year’s United Way campaign will kick off in October, with Pacesetter companies beginning their campaigns mid-September. 

 

 

 

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