Beginning Your Campaign...

The #1 reason most people don't give to United Way is because they weren't asked.

As you begin preparing for this year's United Way Campaign, remember that it is in times of economic uncertainty when the community's support is needed most; that less people feel they have the means or flexibility to contribute to charities when the need is greatest.

The following are key points to keep in mind when soliciting your organization's employees:

• Supporting United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley ensures local services are available for our community.
• Investments are recommended by local volunteer committees and approved by the United Way's Board of Directors (who also volunteer their time, talents and expertise).
• United Ways 2008-2011 investments are working to address local crises, with a commitment to "moving the needle" on current conditions and bettering the quality of life for all Lehigh Valley residents.
• United Way is accountable to every donor in the Lehigh Valley, and focused on measurable outcomes for those who benefit from services provided because of their support.

It matters whether this year's campaign is a success. It matters that our children are healthy and that they succeed in school; that our older adults live in their homes among a caring network of family, friends and neighbors; that our families are stable, safe, and financially secure. As a recent campaign video released by the United Way of Greater Milwaukee succinctly put it...

"Nothing changes if nothing changes."

We are each responsible for the health and vitality of our community both today and for generations to come. On behalf of the United Way staff, volunteers, and our community, thank you for your efforts in assisting your organization's 2008 United Way Campaign.

Idea Exchange at the Coordinator Roundtable Workshop

For those of you who missed yesterday's "Coordinator Roundtable Workshop" at Air Products, attendees were asked to bring their 3 best practices and 3 greatest challenges for a discussion on boosting participation and support during an especially difficult economic year.

Some ideas from the workshop included:

• Solicit your company's retirees
• New-hire brochures/packets; New-hire United Way presentations
• Fundraisers (golf tournaments, food fairs, Penny Wars)
• Free parking/vacation days
• Senior management car wash
• Find out which coworkers have personally benefitted from a United Way program or agency and ask them to contribute a testimonial for your United Way communications.
• Ask coworkers who volunteer on local boards or contribute to United Way programs/agencies to explain during a United Way presentation - or in printed materials - why it's important to give back to the community.
• Use % Participation among employees as a company-wide goal
• Establish your own recognition level within your company
• As employees to contribute a percentage of their salary to be eligible for incentives
• Ask your CEO to remind employees to pledge through your company's voicemail system
• *Get your company's marketing materials in a community-wide basket raffle

INCENTIVES
According to Linda Hamilton, Crayola's campaign coordinator, "find out what your employees want instead of guessing at what they want."

Incentives are a sure-fire way of getting employees involved in your campaign. Oftentimes, incentives are the only way to raise dollars from employees who may have an affinity for other charitable causes or don't have the means or desires to contribute otherwise. When considering various incentives to offer for your campaign, think like your coworkers... what would motivate you to give? Some ideas...

• Jeans days or casual days
• Vacation days
• Parking spots
• Dinner or lunch with your company's CEO

The coordinators at Follet Corporation expressed their challenge in getting employees to United Way meetings. A suggestion was made by the coordinator from Lutron to offer gas cards in amounts of $20 to be raffled off at meetings.

INCENTIVES - Where to get 'em...

From your company

From your company's vendors

Local businesses

Company campaign budget

*At the top, right-hand side of your screen under "Links," click on "Latest Coordinator eNewsletter" for information regarding 2008 basket raffles.

For more information on how to implement the campaign strategies listed above, please contact your United Way account manager.

As always, thank you for all you do to make our community a better place to live and work!

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUTEER.

LIVE UNITEDTM

Growing up, we must have heard a thousand times that we are all different from one another. We each come from different backgrounds and environments and hold different jobs.

Yet we are all people - people who face similar life events, choices, and moments when we could use a "hand up."

Each year, campaign coordinators just like you increase United Way's ability to make a difference in the lives of children, teens, older adults, and families and neighborhoods. In early 2008, United Way of America launched its LIVE UNITED Campaign to remind communities across the nation that we have a tremendous impact on the welfare of others when we give, advocate, and volunteer. Click here to see the 30-second video airing in communities throughout the United States.

The 2008 campaign materials will be arriving at your door in the next few weeks and this year's campaign brochure features local people who get involved in United Way - those who impact our community through donations, advocate for a better community, and who give of their time and talents to make the Lehigh Valley a better place to live and work.

During your campaign activities this year, a different strategy you might use with your coworkers is to engage them in a discussion on how they each LIVE UNITED. As people, we interpret and apply "LIVE UNITED" differently. According to Rich Harwood from The Harwood Institute for Public Policy in his list of Top 10 Ways to LIVE UNITED, "For me, 'Live United' is not rooted in a utopian vision. Rather, it is a call for each of us to step forward to engage with one another and to do our best to repair breaches in our lives and society. It is an entreaty to turn toward one another and make hope real." What better way to engage your coworkers in your company's campaign than to have them realize their peers are actively involved in the community? (You might even offer an incentive prize for those who share their stories of living UNITED.)

Your United Way's efforts are focused on achieving measurable results. We can only get there with your help. Whether you volunteered yourself as your company's campaign coordinator or the opportunity came knocking at your door, your work this year will help us achieve results that change lives and shape the futures of generations to come.

For questions on applying LIVE UNITED to your campaign, please contact your account manager or email Sarah Blum at sarahb@unitedwayglv.org. Thank you for all you do to LIVE UNITED!

...When we reach out to one We influence the condition of all...

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUTEER. LIVE UNITEDTM

United Way's Universally-Designed Home on YouTube!

Imagine a community in which older adults remain in their homes, staying involved with family, friends and neighbors...

Now imagine buying a home designed to fit your lifestyle and physical needs as you grow older.

This imaginary housing option became a reality on June 7, 2008, when United Way's Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging and Lehigh Career & Technical Institute unveiled the Universally-Designed Home.



One of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley's four community goals ensures older adults age successfully, remaining in their homes and communities and involved with family, friends, and neighbors.

For more informtion on the Universally-Designed Home, visit the Lehigh Valley Allince on Aging's website at http://www.lvagingmatters.org/ and click "Housing and Mobility Options."