Nuts and Bolts About United Way
by William “Brother” Rogers
Our community is in the midst of the annual fund raising campaign for United Way, and many would like to know how United Way works.
Why do we need a United Way of North Central Mississippi?
The purpose of United Way is to help people. Our local United Way is a community-wide effort to meet the needs of residents in Oktibbeha and Webster counties. We do this through twenty member agencies that provide a variety of human service programs.
What is the difference between the United Way of North Central Mississippi and the United Way of America?
Our local United Way is just that – local. It is an independent organization run by a board of volunteers from our community, which operates solely for the benefit of the residents here. An executive director and one other staff person coordinate and implement directives of the Board.
The United Way of America is a national trade association to which local United Ways across the country choose to belong. This national association provides services such as training, national campaign materials and the use of the “helping hands” logo. The United Way of America in no way runs the United Way of North Central Mississippi or any other United Way affiliate, nor does it allocate funds to agencies.
How does United Way raise money? United Way conducts its annual campaign in the workplace, rather than soliciting door-to-door. The campaign is not designed to pressure people to give, but rather to offer every resident the opportunity to contribute to meeting the needs in our community. You may designate that a certain agency receives your gift by simply indicating so on your pledge card.
How is the money raised in our community distributed? Twenty agencies submit their requests for funds, and a budget and allocation committee, comprised of volunteers, determines which programs best meet the needs of our community. The United Way of North Central Mississippi retains 99.5 percent of the money it raises.
Why should I give to United Way of North Central Mississippi? United Way achieves what one charity alone cannot – it assures the availability of a broad network of necessary human care services for our community. Since United Way monitors our community’s needs, it is able to invest contributions where they’re needed most in both well-known and less familiar agencies.
In addition, United Way enables thousands of people to contribute in an efficient and cost-effective way. Finally, United Way links people who need help with people who can help. It also links people with volunteer opportunities in our community.
How do I give to United Way of North Central Mississippi? Participation in giving, not the amount of the gift, is most important. To participate or request a pledge card for the current campaign, simply call 323-3830 or send a donation to United Way, PO Box 1603, Starkville, MS 39760.
The events of September 11 have united our nation. We all want to help our country, and the best way to do that is community by community. Therefore, one of the best ways to strengthen America is to improve our local community by supporting United Way. Let’s all do our part.
Brother Rogers is the chair for the 2002 United Way campaign and a guest columnist for the Starkville Daily News.
Our community is in the midst of the annual fund raising campaign for United Way, and many would like to know how United Way works.
Why do we need a United Way of North Central Mississippi?
The purpose of United Way is to help people. Our local United Way is a community-wide effort to meet the needs of residents in Oktibbeha and Webster counties. We do this through twenty member agencies that provide a variety of human service programs.
What is the difference between the United Way of North Central Mississippi and the United Way of America?
Our local United Way is just that – local. It is an independent organization run by a board of volunteers from our community, which operates solely for the benefit of the residents here. An executive director and one other staff person coordinate and implement directives of the Board.
The United Way of America is a national trade association to which local United Ways across the country choose to belong. This national association provides services such as training, national campaign materials and the use of the “helping hands” logo. The United Way of America in no way runs the United Way of North Central Mississippi or any other United Way affiliate, nor does it allocate funds to agencies.
How does United Way raise money? United Way conducts its annual campaign in the workplace, rather than soliciting door-to-door. The campaign is not designed to pressure people to give, but rather to offer every resident the opportunity to contribute to meeting the needs in our community. You may designate that a certain agency receives your gift by simply indicating so on your pledge card.
How is the money raised in our community distributed? Twenty agencies submit their requests for funds, and a budget and allocation committee, comprised of volunteers, determines which programs best meet the needs of our community. The United Way of North Central Mississippi retains 99.5 percent of the money it raises.
Why should I give to United Way of North Central Mississippi? United Way achieves what one charity alone cannot – it assures the availability of a broad network of necessary human care services for our community. Since United Way monitors our community’s needs, it is able to invest contributions where they’re needed most in both well-known and less familiar agencies.
In addition, United Way enables thousands of people to contribute in an efficient and cost-effective way. Finally, United Way links people who need help with people who can help. It also links people with volunteer opportunities in our community.
How do I give to United Way of North Central Mississippi? Participation in giving, not the amount of the gift, is most important. To participate or request a pledge card for the current campaign, simply call 323-3830 or send a donation to United Way, PO Box 1603, Starkville, MS 39760.
The events of September 11 have united our nation. We all want to help our country, and the best way to do that is community by community. Therefore, one of the best ways to strengthen America is to improve our local community by supporting United Way. Let’s all do our part.
Brother Rogers is the chair for the 2002 United Way campaign and a guest columnist for the Starkville Daily News.