2015 United Way Campaign Coordinator Guide

United Way Campaign Coordinator Guide

Inside you will find all that you need to know to run a successful campaign: Best Practices Campaign Activities Strategies for Before, During and After Campaign The 20-Minute Meeting Year-Round Engagement

United Way is a champion for working families.

Thank you for joining us.

Campaign Checklist

Your dedication and leadership in the United Way Campaign is so critical for the success of children and families in our community.

We cannot do this without you!

Before Your Campaign

As a Campaign Coordinator, you will lead the way to help raise dollars to support programs and initiatives that build a stronger community and support hard-working families.

You will help connect your fellow employees to United Way, serving as an enthusiastic advocate and campaign leader, encouraging people to support the campaign.

n Meet with your United Way liaison to create an action plan. If you don’t

know your United Way representative please call us at 860-493-6875. n Meet with your CEO or management team to determine how they will be

involved in the campaign and to establish goals and campaign dates.

Ask leadership to endorse the campaign. n Recruit a strong campaign team, representing a wide range of employees,

including members of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council and Emerging Leaders Society, to help and support you. n If appropriate, ask a member of senior management to chair your

Leadership Giving efforts.

The tools outlined in this Coordinator Guide will walk you through each step of developing and implementing a successful workplace campaign. It is through connecting people like you, and passions that we are able to make our region an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

n Meet with your United Way representative to review last year’s campaign

Let’s get you started to be the Best in 2015.

n Plan special events and activities to raise awareness about the work

results, and to discuss strategies and recommendations. United Way will provide you with your campaign history. n Finalize your campaign timeline and goals. n Work with your United Way representative to hold a committee meeting

off site with a United Way partner. being done with United Way and its partners, and to raise dollars for your campaign. n Consider developing your own company video for this year’s campaign.

And don’t forget to submit it to the Best Of Awards! n Visit the Campaign Toolkit at UnitedWayInc.Org/CampaignToolkit to order

your materials, download templates, request an ambassador speaker and other resources to ensure a successful campaign. n Post information on your organization’s intranet with a link to

Be sure to order your campaign materials and request speakers at least two weeks prior to your campaign kickoff date: UnitedWayInc.Org/ CampaignToolkit

UnitedWayInc.Org. n Send out endorsement letters or emails from your CEO. n Take a peek at the entry requirements for the Best Of Awards at

UnitedWayInc.Org/BestOf.

The campaign and your hard work represent the generosity of a diverse community coming together to create measurable, lasting change and a better place for all of us to live and work.

See how your dollars make a difference.

UnitedWayInc.Org/RealChange

During Your Campaign n Hold employee group meetings (See “The 20-Minute Group Meeting”). n Host a fun, unique campaign kick-off event to get your colleagues excited

about giving back to our community through United Way. n Use United Way-supplied materials to promote your campaign –

brochures, posters, table tents and other materials bring visibility and awareness to your campaign. n Engage employees in special events. Examples from other workplaces

include: cupcake and ice cream sales, bike races, sports tournaments, breakfast with the boss, local vendor sales, dunk tanks, and moustacheshaving contests. See the campaign toolkit online for additional ideas: UnitedWayInc.Org/CampaignToolkit n Inspire colleagues through United Way-provided success stories and

personal stories from other colleagues who have benefited from United Way-supported programs or initiatives. n Incorporate information about United Way membership opportunities, such

as the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) and Emerging Leaders Society (ELS), and arrange for members to make specialized presentations.

When leveraged, the WLC and the ELS can produce amazing campaign results! Learn more about United Way’s membership groups online at UnitedWayInc.Org/EmergingLeaders and UnitedWayInc.Org/Women.

Also, see membership group brochures. n If appropriate, run a special solicitation for current or prospective

The 20-Minute Group Meeting

The best way to reach your colleagues is to hold an employee meeting. All you need is 20 minutes. You might want to tag onto a regular team or department meeting.

ITEM /PRESENTER

MINs.

Opening Remarks Campaign Coordinator

2

CEO Endorsement CEO/Manager 2 Campaign Overview United Way Staff

Campaign Video 4 Speaker United Way Ambassador

Closing & Ask 2

n Keep your colleagues updated throughout the campaign. Share campaign

information and progress via newsletters, intranet and email. Sample emails are available from United Way’s marketing communications department. n Follow up with anyone who has yet to pledge. Ask everyone to fill out a

n Begin preparing your nominations for the Best Of Awards.

5

Wrap Up 2

leadership contributors (those who do or might consider giving $1,000 or more per year).

pledge form and return the paper pledge form or online pledge, whether they decide to contribute or not.

3

You’re in the home stretch.

Find the finishing touches and year round opportunities on the back.

After Your Campaign

Year-Round Opportunities

n Complete the campaign report envelope and contact your

n Engage employees in United Way Year of Caring or other

United Way representative to arrange a pick up.

customized group and individual volunteer projects. Ask for materials pertaining to year-round volunteer and engagement opportunities for employees and workplaces.

n Hold a thank you event with senior leadership in attendance

to announce and celebrate results. Your United Way representative can help you plan this.

n Connect young professionals to the work of United Way

Emerging Leaders Society and women to United Way Women’s Leadership Council activities. Membership groups provide more opportunities for your colleagues to connect and have a meaningful experience. Members see firsthand the work being done in our community by United Way and its partners. As investors in our community, members bring their own commitment, passion and expertise, and encourage their colleagues to join them in making change happen.

n Personally thank contributors and everyone who helped

coordinate your campaign. Recognize your colleagues and thank them through your intranet. Then keep them involved year round in volunteer opportunities to show them how their dollars make a difference. n Schedule a post campaign meeting with your United Way

representative. n Submit your nominations for the Best Of Awards. Then

celebrate with colleagues at the awards in February and showcase your accomplishments in the community. The awards recognize workplace partners in central and northeastern Connecticut for their outstanding participation in the United Way Campaign and throughout the year.

n Use United Way materials to orient new employees. n Use United Way success stories, communications, outreach

tools and social media content to keep employees updated about United Way’s work throughout the year.

Our real success is measured by the number of lives we improve together. This is a community coming together to truly LIVE UNITED and you are a MAJOR part of our success. We cannot do it without you and cannot thank you enough for your support.

Because of you, children will succeed in school, read on grade level by the fourth grade and thrive in the future. Families will earn selfsustaining wages with access to financial tools and resources, and lead healthier lives. You are part of building a stronger community for all of us.

Thank you!

Need more information or additional campaign materials?

Call us at 860-493-6875 or visit UnitedWayInc.Org Facebook.com/unitedwayinc Instagram.com/unitedwayinc Pinterest.com/unitedwayinc Twitter @unitedwayinc United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut mobilizes people and organizations to GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER to help children succeed, ensure families are healthy and financially secure, and provide access to basic needs. Since 1924, $900 million has been raised through United Way to help people in our 40-town region. For a list of United Way partner agencies, please visit UnitedWayInc.Org/Partners.