LIVE UNITED TODAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO UNITED WAY’S WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS
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n March 14, United Way of North Central Florida staff members and about 150 of our closest friends from workplace campaigns gathered at the Best Western Plus Gateway Grand Hotel to celebrate the close of a successful United Way campaign effort. The workplace campaign is a cornerstone in our fundraising efforts. Eighty percent of the total donations received by United Way each year is from workplace campaigns. The workplace campaign has evolved into a spirited, employeecentric event complete with parties, contests and lots of fun. Employee Campaign Coordinators, (ECCs), invest their own personal time attending training, planning events and collecting pledge cards to help make the annual campaign a success, while striving to raise more money, have more fun, and engage more employees than the year prior. Workplace campaigns typically run in the fall each year and can last a few days or up to a few weeks, depending on the workplace. United United Way staff cheers on their wonderful Way provides a staff workplace campaigns! member to every workplace to offer assistance, support and to be a personal cheerleader for the fundraising team when needed. During the 2013 campaign season our workplace campaigns raised more than $2.3 million. These generous contributions are hard at work making real progress in improving school readiness and early literacy rates, lowering the number of students who drop out of high school, improving dental health of students and the daily nutrition of seniors and Alachua County Public Schools was increasing family financial one of our top ten campaigns with stability. Thank YOU for this the most money raised. successful campaign year!
CAMPAIGN SPIRIT AWARD – BEST OVERALL CAMPAIGN
MOST CREATIVE CAMPAIGNS
Publix (raised $579,156)
• Nordstrom, Inc.: Hair Shaving Challenge
BEST EVER CAMPAIGNS – MOST DOLLARS RAISED IN THEIR WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN HISTORY
TOP 10 CAMPAIGNS – MOST DOLLARS RAISED IN 2013
• Publix
• UF Health
• Nationwide
• Nationwide
• RTI Surgical: Destination Hope
• Publix
• Enterprise Holdings • RTI Surgical • AvMed • Nordstrom, Inc.
2013 CAMPAIGN FINALE AWARDS
TOP 5 CAMPAIGNS – HIGHEST DONOR PARTICIPATION IN 2013 • Nordstrom, Inc.: 100% • Koss Olinger Financial Group: 94% • Enterprise Holdings: 95% • Alachua County Tax Collector: 86% • UPS: 76%
BEST NEW WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN
• O2B Kids!
• GRU
• Belk
• Wells Fargo
• CAPT
• Enterprise Holdings COMMUNITY
• Massey Services
• City of Gainesville
BUILDER AWARD
• Alachua County Public Schools
The University of Florida
Bear Archery
Publix won the Campaign Spirit Award for Best Overall Campaign. We can’t thank you enough!
thank you for this
SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN YEAR!
SPRING 2014
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: VOLUNTEER SELECT, BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY, DONOR THANK YOUS
UNITED WAY RE-LAUNCHES VOLUNTEER SELECT NEW BOARD MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES & TRAINING
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nited Way of North Central Florida, in partnership with the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Gainesville, is taking board member recruitment to the next level in support of our nonprofit community. Leadership Gainesville members and alumni members, as well as the general public who are interested in nonprofit board participation will participate in free quarterly board member preparation classes, beginning in May, that cover the legal and fiduciary roles of serving on a board. “Non-profit organizations in the Gainesville region play a variety of critical roles for our community and it is very important to place engaged and dedicated individuals to lead these organizations,” said Deborah V. Bowie, Vice President of Chamber Development for the Gainesville Chamber. “We are pleased to partner our Leadership Gainesville effort with the United Way to spread the word and co-host events designed to bring attention to these available board positions and provide the opportunity for individuals to make a significant, positive impact on our community.” “Strengthening nonprofits through these ongoing trainings and volunteer placement has been a primary part of our mission in building a stronger community for many years,” said Debbie Mason, United Way President and CEO. “We’re pleased to partner with the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Gainesville as a natural expansion of our work.” Volunteer Select is a volunteer matching database system that provides a two-way match where volunteers can post their interest areas, and nonprofit organizations post their volunteer needs.
UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE 27 | 7:30–9 a.m. CEO/COMMUNITY LEADER BREAKFAST Join fellow CEOs and community leaders at the 2014 CEO/ Community Leader Breakfast hosted by United Way of North Central Florida. Thanks to our sponsors: Bosshardt Realty Services, Florida Food Service, Gateway Bank, James Moore & Co., and North Florida Regional Medical Center. Location: Gainesville Country Club, 7300 SW 35th Way, Gainesville, FL 32608 R.S.V.P. by visiting: www.CEOCommunityLeaderBreakfast.eventbrite.com
JULY 24 | 8:30–11 a.m. EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST Nationwide employees invite you to imagine, inspire and invest in a better community. Please join us for the 2014 ECC Appreciation Breakfast. At the breakfast, you will: • Receive the tools you need to run a successful United Way campaign. • Hear how your team has the inspiration to change lives. • Enjoy a delicious breakfast, have fun and get energized about this year’s campaign! Thanks to our host and sponsor, Nationwide. Thanks to our other great sponsors, Florida Food Service and North Florida Regional Medical Center. Location: Nationwide Café Conference Room, 3300 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32608 R.S.V.P by visiting www.UWECCBreakfast.eventbrite.com
Additionally, area nonprofits can post their need for board members (e.g. finance, marketing, diversity, etc.) on United Way’s Volunteer Select site at www.volunteerselect.org. Available board member positions can be found under the tab “Board Member Positions.” As with all volunteer postings on Volunteer Select, nonprofits who post board member needs will receive responses to their designated email address, as well as their Volunteer Select account. Lauren Martin, United Way VISTA and Volunteer Select Manager, is available for Volunteer Select agency support, trainings and walk-throughs. She can be reached at lmartin@ unitedwayncfl.org and (352) 333-0862.
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thank you
NORTH FLORIDA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR YOUR IN-KIND DONATION OF GENTLY USED SCRUBS!
A FUNDRAISER FOR UNITED WAY
SPEND THE DAY WITH JOHN SPENCE United Way of North Central Florida held its second annual Spend the day with John Spence fund raiser on April 25 at the Best Western Plus Gateway Grand. During this fast-paced and informative session, guests learned about brand new national results of a proprietary leadership research study John Spence conducted with more than 8,000 high-potential employees at top companies around the World. The findings of this study clearly show that what people look for in a leader has shifted dramatically in the last several years. John addressed some of the biggest issues that businesses and leaders are facing right now and how to effectively deal with them.
and Verizon. Spence prides himself on having a unique ability to present critical business ideas in an engaging, easily understandable manner so that attendees leave his workshops able to apply the practices they have learned. All proceeds went towards United Way of North Central Florida. A BIG thank you to John Spence for kindly donating his expertise Thank you to John Spence and for offering to spend the for donating his time to this popday with us again next year. ular event. Thank you to our sponsors: Best Western Plus Gateway Grand, Bosshardt Realty Services, Florida Food Service, Gainesville Regional Airport and North Florida Regional Medical Center.
“We are fortunate enough to have John Spence, one of the top 500 leadership development experts in the world, who happens to be a Gainesville native, graciously donate his knowledge,” said Debbie Mason, United Way of North Central Florida President and CEO. Spence is considered a trusted advisor, strategist, consultant, speaker and author, whose formula for business success is research, plus real life experience, plus passion, equals return on investment. He is also a talented author, most recently releasing his third and fourth books Letters to the CEO and Strategies for Success: The Keys to Success in College, Career and Life in February 2014. He has provided custom training workshops and delivered his formula to more than 300 organizations worldwide, such as Microsoft, GE, IBM, AT&T, Merrill Lynch, Abbott Labs, Qualcomm, NCR
Nearly 200 people attended John Spence’s event in April 2014.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PUBLIX FOR WINNING THE CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP WORK OF HEART AWARD! Board Chair Matt Fajack accepts a check from Publix District Manager Rob Chapman for the Publix associates campaign. Matched by the corporate office, the Publix gift exceeded $550,000 this year, once again making it the largest contributor to UWNCFL. Fajack presented Chapman with the Work of Heart Corporation of the Year Award, from the recent community reception recognizing Publix for its support of United Way, among many others. Publix associates participate in our annual Day of Action by collecting books in all the stores to support summer reading for the ReadingPals program and much more. LIVE UNITED / 3
CHECK AND CONNECT
DOING GREAT WORK FOR AT-RISK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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nited Way recently received some outstanding news that the Check and Connect program is being funded for another year. Originally funded by a two-year grant from AT&T, Check and Connect is one of our community’s best strategies for 9th grade students who are currently failing in school. Interim Alachua County Public School Superintendent Hershel Lyons said, “This is the most successful program we have in our schools for breaking the generational cycle of families failing and kids dropping out.”
The problem is very large This program addresses a huge problem in our society and our community as one out of four Floridians drops out of high school.
STATS OF 2013
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That translates into: • 50,000 students a year in Florida don’t graduate • 22% of Alachua County students don’t graduate – 361 students in 2011–2012 • The drop out rate of the high schools we serve is even higher –GHS – 24% drop out rate –Eastside – 24% drop out rate
dedicated employees working daily with the students and their parents, The program has assisted students in gaining confidence, good habits and trust in adults.
Success factors for our program The strong partnership between United Way and the Alachua County Public Schools is unique and creates a platform for dialogue to better serve the students.
–Hawthorne – 46% drop out rate
Outcome We improved attendance, behavior, interest in school and confidence in their individual talents and abilities to shift the students’ “F” and “D” grades to “C,” “B” and even “A” grades!
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO GIVE TO THE CHECK AND CONNECT PROGRAM contact Debbie Mason at dmason@unitedwayncfl.org.
With the help of our four caring and
Actual
Goal 60%
of participants will be promoted to the next grade on time
97%
60%
of participants will complete their core courses
82%
60%
of participants will increase the credit accumulation
93%
75%
of participants will improve their attendance
76%
75%
of participants will improve their behavior
68%
BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY YOUNG LEADERS SEEDING NOW FOR THE NEXT DECADE OF SUCCESS SOCIETY BOOT CAMP IS BACK!
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big part of United Way’s responsibility and commitment as a funder and leader in the community is capacity building of our 26 impact partner agencies and the nonprofit community in general. Data from donors shows that this is a significant component of the bond of trust donors have in United Way, and is one of the important ways that United Way goes beyond funding worthy programs of the impact partner agencies it vets.
members have benefited from in-depth training on oversight and review of program reports. The result is a more simple way for agencies to report on programs and a much more clear perspective of where programs are delivering measured outcomes, making compliance overview much more objective.
“Having a board member at the training sessions is very important, as we want board members to understand how to measure their agency’s proResults Based Accountability (RBA) was grams, the right questions to ask and introduced several years ago by to empower them to UWNCFL as one of understand how the ways United “ The RBA process is great. It effectiveness is Way (and other allows us to look at outmeasured by funders) could comes in a very different and funders,” said measure the real meaningful way. It allows us Debbie Mason, impact of funded to measure our success and president and CEO. programs. By using a simple approach, take credit for the great work Jenna White, CIT programs are that we all do. In addition, it chair and a United measured by how Way board member gives us a tool to demonmany services are said, “We are strate to our boards, donors provided and already seeing great and friends concrete outquantifying the response and comes, that in turn help question: “is changes in our anyone better off them to describe the kind of impact partner because of it?” work that we do in a way agencies in the way Each funded they think about that is outcome and perforprogram provides and report program mance improvement driven.” quarterly reports to results – and the United Way that are – Anthony Clarizio, issues they have to reviewed by the Executive Director of overcome in their trained volunteers ElderCare of Alachua programs to deliver County on the Community on their commitImpact Team (CIT). ments.” This team is the United Way board member Denny Gies same group of dedicated volunteers added, “The real measure of this that review applications, do site tours impact on our community will be seen and determine the investment recoma decade from now when many mendations to the UWNCFL board for nonprofits begin to use this methodolapproval. ogy and have stronger programs Thanks to a grant from a generous because of their learning and involvedonor, United Way has been able to ment with RBA. It will be exciting as we offer twice annual training sessions to see how this creates positive changes impact partner agency CEOs, program for the clients served by programs.” staff and board members. Also, CIT
Thursday, July 17 Lifecycle of a Board Member Thursday, August 14 Agent of Change Thursday, September 18 Networking Thursday, October 16 Professionalism & Growth All sessions are free to attend and are from 6–8 p.m. Each session will have multiple speakers from different occupational fields in Gainesville. Individuals who attend all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion.
Location United Way of North Central Florida 6031 NW 1st Place, Gainesville, FL 32607
R.S.V.P www.ylsbootcamp.eventbrite.com For more information, please contact Amy Stickel at 352-333-0854 or astickel@unitedwayncfl.org.
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LEADERSHIP DONORS GATHERED FOR A NIGHT OF THANKS
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n May 15, United Way of North Central Florida held A Night of Thanks, hosted by Heather and Jim Doughton at their beautiful home on Kanapaha Prairie. This annual reception recognizes leadership givers for their generous commitment to United Way.
n, David er Doughto th ea H s es d Brad ous host Staats, an Our gener jack, Debra Fa tt a M , Guzick Staats.
This appreciation event also gives donors the opportunity to learn more about United Way’s initiatives by speaking directly with staff members one on one and networking with each other.
Scott Thomas of Infinite Energy and his wife, Dorothy. Starting in July, Scott will assume his position as a new United Way board member.
CALLING ALL LOANED EXECUTIVES!
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or 13 weeks this summer and fall, Loaned Executives will work with companies across north central Florida to plan and conduct United Way of North Central Florida workplace campaigns. All Loaned Executives are sponsored by generous companies and proudly represent that company and United Way in hundreds of employee forums. We hope your company will support the 2014 Loaned Executive Program!
Ask yourself this: Would you like your company represented alongside one of the most trusted charities in the community? Do you have a rising star in your company that you want to show off to the community? There’s no better way to show your company’s support of United Way than to be part of our Loaned Executive Program.
air Matt Fajack Retiring board ch jack. Fa and wife Reggie
Kay Ayers , incomin g UW boa chair, fro rd m AvMed and Ed Bonahue , executiv e commit member, tee from San ta Fe Coll ege.
Responsibilities of a United Way Loaned Executive: • Work with 40–50 local businesses to develop and implement strategies to increase workplace fundraising campaigns • Represent our community and United Way while cultivating positive relationships with CEOs, campaign coordinators, and other community stakeholders • Work in a team-oriented atmosphere with campaign coordinators to organize and schedule campaign activities • Present the United Way message to local employees and ensure the collection and safekeeping of funds contributed by donors • Deliver campaign materials, maintain account files and arrange speaking engagements
Do you think you have the ideal candidate? Please send all candidate information to Dana Clayton, United Way of North Central Florida VP of Resource Development at dclayton@unitedwayncfl.org, or call 352-333-0846
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ANOTHER GREAT VITA TAX SEASON WE INVITE YOU TO…
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nited Way of North Central Florida’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program celebrated another successful year as tax season came to a close on April 15.
VITA is an IRS initiative designed to promote and support free tax preparation service for the underserved. Since 2010, United Way has provided this free service where an individual or family could receive up to $5,800 in earned income tax credit. This year there were several VITA sites in Gainesville, including one at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law and Buchholz High School, where
students were the ones preparing and filing taxes. Buchholz students went through the same tax-prep certification process as did other volunteers in the program. This is the first high school in the area to have students in the program. This also marks the second year that United Way of North Central Florida partnered with MyFreeTaxes. The MyFreeTaxes Partnership provides free state and federal tax preparation and filing assistance for qualified individuals online. Powered by the Walmart Foundation in cooperation with Goodwill Industries International,
National Disability Institute and United Way — the MyFreeTaxes Partnership’s online and in-person tax preparation and filing services have helped millions of families claim nearly $8 billion in tax credits and refunds since 2009. Tax filing software is provided through MyFreeTaxes.com and powered by H&R Block. See you next year for another successful VITA tax season.
VITA TAX SEASON 2014 BY THE NUMBERS • 1,998 tax returns completed
• $2,245,468 in refunds (MyFreeTaxes refunds are still being compiled) • $364,015 tax prepared fees SAVED ($198 average basic return at H&R Block, $261 average advanced tax return from H&R Block)
Mary Howell was the winner of our VITA Free Laptop Contest! She plans to give this Google HP Chromebook to her son who is a freshman at Gainesville High School. What an amazing woman!
thank you MATT FAJACK Incoming board chair Kay Ayers presents outgoing chair Matt Fajack with a plaque and a special chair to commemorate his work as chair of the board. Fajack is leaving the area to accept a position at UNC Chapel Hill. He has been a dedicated supporter of United Way in several communities and he will be greatly missed.
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NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 133 GAINESVILLE, FL 6031 NW 1st Place Gainesville, FL 32607-2025 (352) 331-2800 www.unitedwayncfl.org www.facebook.com/unitedwayncfl www.twitter.com/UnitedWayncfl
YOUR UNITED WAY TEAM Staff/Leadership Debbie Mason, President & CEO Rhonda Johnson, Director of Operations Mary Broadfoot, Executive Assistant
Community Impact Team Karen Slevin, VP Community Impact Jennifer Stojkovic, 2-1-1/Health & Income Impact Manager Angela Hutchings, ReadingPals Coordinator Norinda Rosario Yancey, Education and School-based Initiatives Manager Barbara Brady, Check & Connect Specialist Annetta McCloud, Check & Connect Specialist Patrick Wright, Check & Connect Specialist
Development Team Dana Clayton, VP Resource Development Chris Wells, Development Director of Residential & Individual Giving Sylvia Waldman, Donor Database Manager
Communications & Marketing Team Amy Stickel, Communications Manager
Board of Directors Executive Committee Kay Ayers, AvMed, Chair Nick Banks, Front Street Realty, Vice Chair Carolyn Lukert, Dementia Education, Inc., Past Board Chair Ed Bonahue, Santa Fe College, Member-At-Large Dennis Gies, Community Volunteer, Member-At-Large Kenneth Kurdziel, James Moore & Company, Finance Chair Melanie Ross, UF & Shands, Communications Chair
Board Members Harbin Bolton, Cox Communications Rob Chapman, Publix Matt Fajack, University of Florida Bill Gair, University of Florida, Campaign Chair Sam Goforth, Wells Fargo Josh Greenberg, Grooveshark Tony Jones, Gainesville Police Department James Larsen, Allied/Harleysville Insurance Shaney Livingston, Alachua County Library District Hershel Lyons, Alachua County Public Schools Ken McGurn, McGurn Investments Ed Poppell, UF Development Corporation Andy Sherrard, O2BKids! Dr. Patricia Snyder, University of Florida Adrian Taylor, Springhill Missionary Baptist Church, Public Policy Chair Lynda Tealer, University Athletic Association, Inc. Brad White, SunTrust, N.A. Jenna White, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., CIT Chair
2014–2015 Campaign Cabinet Brad Pollitt, Chair, UFHealth Shands Rory Causseau, Causseau, Hewett and Walpole Robert Deese, Suntrust Bill Gair, University of Florida Monica McMillen, Law Offices of Stephen Miller John Power, Alachua County Tax Collector Jason Shank, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Jeff Shorb, Enterprise Holdings Jay St. Pierre, North Florida Regional Medical Center
Special thanks to our Academy Sponsors