Talking Points for United Way of McMinn & Meigs Counties
Mission: To make sure everyone has the opportunity for a good quality of life.
Examples:
*Someone who is mentally or physically challenged has the opportunity to be a productive member of society and experience independence because of the Tri-County Center.
*A person who wants a better job and better life can get their GED regardless if they can pay because of UW.
*People have the opportunity learn to live a healthier lifestyle and children have a safe place to stay before and after school regardless of their ability to pay because of United Way’s partnership with the Y.
*Everyone has the opportunity to receive healthcare even if they don’t have insurance because of United Way and the Good Faith Clinic.
1. It’s Local! We are local people helping other local people. All decisions are made by volunteers from our community, and the money raised stays right here in McMinn & Meigs Counties.
2. Our Belief: That everyone deserves the opportunity for a good quality of life. How do we offer that opportunity? Through Education, Stability in the Family and Good Health.
3. How can someone give to United Way of McMinn & Meigs? Payroll deduction through the company where they work, cash or check, monthly automatic draft from a bank account, credit card or through our website.
4. What is the President’s Council? This is our leadership giving division. Anyone giving $500 or more per year qualifies for the President’s Council.
5. 18 Partner Agencies Rely on United Way: At least half of these agencies would cease to exist or have to severely cut services if they did not receive UW funding. Many are relying on UW funds more than ever due to state and federal funding cuts.
6. How are we helping during the tough economic times? The Good Faith Clinic is helping hundreds of people each month who are uninsured. Many are those who have lost their jobs and no longer have insurance. Adult and Family Education is helping those who have lost their jobs get their GED or further their education so they will be qualified for a new job. Coordinated Charities is helping record numbers of people with food, rent and utility assistance.
7. We bring hundreds of volunteers together each year to help our community through our Day of Caring and Stuff the Bus events.
8. What can just $50 do? It will feed 4 families through the Coordinated Charities Food Pantry for a week. It will provide 48 books for one year through the Imagination Library grant. It will pay for someone to take the GED test who would otherwise not be able to afford it through the Meigs Literacy Council and Adult and Family Ed of McMinn. It will help a child participate in the YMCA afterschool program instead of staying home alone in the afternoon. It will help pay for a medical test for someone without insurance through the Good Faith Clinic.
9. It doesn’t take a huge donation to make a big difference…it’s when they all come together that we can make a difference in the lives of others.
10. United Way and its Partner Agencies provide opportunities, it’s up to the individual to use them to make a better life for themselves and their family.
11. United Way also offers educational opportunities for local nonprofits. These workshops are designed to help agencies stay up-to-date and learn to adapt to remain relevant in our community.
AGENCY STATS
United Way donations made the following services/programs possible:
McMinn County Educational and Community Foundation, Adult Education: 91 gained their GED diplomas in 2017 and over 394 students were assisted in improving their educational standing for their workplace or to prepare for future schooling.
Athens McMinn YMCA-Local children were able to participate in Summer Fun Camp, Before/After School Care and youth sports in an atmosphere that promotes healthy lifestyles and making good choices. In 2018, through the Y-CAP program, provided intervention and prevention programming to 40 at-risk youth at no cost to their families.
Boys & Girls Club, Meigs Unit served 67 children in 2017 and added new members every month after that. Their mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Coordinated Charities provided aid to 1,560 households in 2017. Also, 4,558 packages of groceries and goods were distributed to people in need
Etowah Rescue Squad responded to 300 calls in 2017.
Etowah Senior Center served 185 clients in 2017 by providing opportunities to remain active mentally, physically and socially.
Grace and Mercy Ministries served 10,200 meals to the hungry in 2017.
Hiwassee Mental Health served 1,690 in 2018 through prevention, treatment and recovery services.
The HOPE Center provided services to 846 adults and children in 2017.
The Children’s Advocacy Center served 543 children who were suspected victims of sexual abuse in 2017.
Full Circle Medical Center for Women serves 3,500 students through the One Life program to prevent and reduce teenage pregnancies and other high-risk behaviors among area youth.
Good Faith Clinic provided medical services to 880 individuals in 2017.
Helping Hands Ministry served 100 low income homeowners in 2017 with home repairs needed to safely remain in their homes.
McMinn Juvenile Services-Served 556 juveniles who completed probation. They work to prevent truancy, and discourage behaviors that are illegal and unhealthy.
McMinn Senior Center served 2,800 individuals in 2017 who took advantage of nutrition, recreation, and educational activities plus tax preparation services and Medicaid advice.
McMinn Rescue Squad responded to 310 calls in 2017.
The Tri-County Center serves over 150 intellectually and developmentally disabled adults by providing a caring and supportive environment in which they can aquire work skills to become productive citizens.
Here are a few workplace campaign "Fun" Raisers to help make your employee campaign more exciting and more fun. A fresh and fun campaign makes your job more enjoyable and creates greater awareness among your co-workers. Listed below are some "Fun" Raisers you may want to include in your United Way campaign this year:
"Fun" Raisers:
• car wash
• softball/volleyball tournament
• golf tournament or host a putt-putt tournament
• bake sales
• employee cookout/picnic
• United Way carnival
• executive dunk tank
• executive pie throw
• family days
• talent show
• ice cream social
• company celebrity waiters lunch
• place large jars throughout company for deposit of loose change
• taste of the town ethnic potluck lunch
• pancake breakfast
• auction
• United Way agency fair
• company bowl-a-thon
• fashion show and award prizes for the best outfits
• host a garage sale in which employees donate items and proceeds go to United Way
• sell casual day coupons
Contests:
Contest and competition provide great campaign fun. Reward department for the largest percentage increase, most givers at the suggested giving guide level or other company campaign goals. Some examples include:
• Halloween costume contest
• baby picture guessing game
• employees’ children’s drawing contest (use all entries to publicize the campaign)
• campaign slogan/theme contest
• company campaign logo or poster design contest
• softball game
• fastest-typist, walker, runner, biker, etc.
• rope jumper
• tricycle race
• goal thermometer contest
Recruit a campaign team!
Building a campaign team not only makes your job easier, it means there are that many people talking about United Way. By getting their ideas and input, and together deciding on a campaign plan, you’re spreading the work and
the enthusiasm. Team size depends on your company’s size and the number of locations you have. Even if your organization is small, get help with your campaign.
• Select members from all major units or department, including, where applicable, both union and management leadership. Choose the “natural and informal leaders” for your team. Choose enthusiastic members of last year’s
team.
• Assign specific duties and responsibilities based on the talents and interests of your team members.
• Solicit a retired employee to serve on the team.
• Ask next year’s employee campaign manager to serve as co-chair of the team.
• Carry out this project as you would any other important assignment: meet regularly, establish a timetable and keep track of progress and results.
• As you pull together a campaign team, remember to design your campaign thrust with two goals:
–To educate prospective donors about United Way.
–To ask people to get involved by giving.
Divide team responsibilities into the following categories:
Communications/Public Relations (getting the word out) This team member obtains campaign supplies and materials.
Plans and manages kick-off, publicity, special events, awards and incentive programs.
Agency Visits (make all the arrangements through United Way).
Employee Meetings (training meeting leaders and scheduling meetings) This team member customizes the campaign to fit the company environment. Plans and coordinates the employee meetings.
Accounting (keeping track of pledge cards and completing United Way reports) This team member develops payroll deduction procedures, prepares personalized pledge cards and personnel listings, and tabulates all campaign information.
Try These Ideas
• Give team members United Way pins and wear them prior to the start of the campaign to build awareness.
• Hold a kick-off breakfast for your team. Preview the United Way film, give out t-shirts, etc. Have a United Way or agency representative speak.
• Have your team go on pre-campaign agency tours.
• Take a group picture of team members and place in the company newsletter or bulletin board.
• Ask your CEO to send a personal letter to each team member thanking them in advance for their commitment.
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