2007 Annual Report

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)

2007 Annual Report

Message to the UWRA Community

Thanks to generous gifts of time and talent of our volunteers and the financial support of both our members and the United Way community, the United Way Retirees Association had a busy 2007 providing programs that assist the United Way field and enrich the lives of retirees. In addition to the consulting and volunteer services for United Ways (mentoring, planned giving, community impact, interim assistance and disaster support) and our continuing work on exploring cost cutting services beneficial to retirees; this year marked the launch of the UWRA’s Retirement Planning program which emphasizes the need to start planning now for retirement -- in line with United Way’s Financial Stability Partnership™ national initiative.

We have made great strides this year with the UWRA Endowment Fund which was established to help broaden and strengthen our mission in a way not possible through annual revenue. In fact, Endowment proceeds have made the Retirement Planning program possible. UWRA’s desire is to learn the issues and concerns relevant to UW retirees, provide information to help in retirement living, and be a valued retirement planning resource for United Way staff by providing practical help in preparing for a retirement life that’s both enjoyable and financially solid.

Our volunteers (Board & Service Corps) are freely giving their time because they truly believe in United Way’s mission and want to help as an extension of their career. It is their dedication that has enabled us to provide and grow our programs. In addition our partnership relationships with United Way of America, United Way International, and state and local United Ways have been invaluable as we strive to fulfill our mission.

To help guide and focus our efforts, our board has set goals important to achieve in order to improve lives and help strengthen communities. As we reflect on this past year, we celebrate what we have accomplished and have chronicled in this report the work that has taken place toward the attainment of these goals. United Way exists to help people work together to create results. We look forward to our continuing work and our contribution toward advancing the common good.

Thank you very much for your support,

W. Leon Matthews Patricia R. Smith

President, UWRA Executive Director, UWRA

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)
- Mission, Focus, Membership, Governance, Support ….. Retirees Matter

Two-Fold Mission: To Improve the Quality of Life for:

Communities Served By United Way
UWRA Members

Focus:

To Provide Programs that:

• Support and Strengthen the work of local United Ways and their communities

• Enrich the lives of individual UW retirees.

Membership:

Over 550 individuals 50+ representing:

• Active UW staff

• Those With Significant Career Experience With United Way

• Those Who Have Retired From a UW position

Organizational structure:

• Founded in 1989 - obtained 501 (c) 3 public charity status in 2001

• Governed by a 15 to 24 member volunteer Board

• Volunteer Service Corps representing all levels of UW staff

• Three part-time staff members totaling 60 hours per week

Support:

UWRA is supported through the generosity of local and State United Ways (45%), UWA (31% grant and in-kind services), Member Contributions and Leadership Gifts (18%), Member dues (3%), and Mutual of America (3%). In addition, UWRA Endowment proceeds will target priorities indicated by the membership.

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)
– Purpose and Goals…. Volunteering and Caring Matter

UWRA has been organized for the benefit of the United Way system and to provide for the service and benefit of its members who are current or former United Way employees.

The purposes and goals established for UWRA are listed below. We present in this report UWRA’s 2007 accomplishments which we measure against the attainment of these goals.

The purposes of the Association are:

To promote the goals of the United Way system through the continued involvement of its retirees in volunteer charitable service in local communities and throughout the United Way system.

To identify and coordinate opportunities for United Way retirees to provide volunteer services to the United Way system and other charitable organizations.

To educate the charitable community regarding the advantages of utilizing the skills and expertise of retirees.

To recognize achievements of retirees in charitable activities.

To communicate with and educate retirees and United Way organizations about issues germane to retirement, including the value, importance and availability of health and pension benefit programs.

To function as a resource center for information related to the continued involvement of retirees in the United Way system.

The Board of Directors of UWRA established four key goals intended to support the purposes of this organization:

Provide retiree manpower and talents in helping to serve the United Way system at local, state, national and international levels.

Provide UWRA members with opportunities to stay in communication with fellow retirees, United Way of America and the field.

Provide information and support regarding issues germane to retirees including the value and availability of health and retirement benefits.

Increase UWRA’s membership and its volunteer and fiscal resources in order to be able to carry out its mission.

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)
– Summary of what we accomplished in 2007 …… Results Matter

UWRA is committed to serving the United Way field and UWRA members who helped make the UW system what it is today. Below highlights what UWRA has accomplished this past year in the context of the organization’s stated goals.

1. Provide retiree manpower and talents in helping to serve the United Way system at local, state, national and international levels.

Why this goal matters: UWRA volunteers are available to assist the global United Way system in times of growth, transition and crises through a variety of programs. This not only provides extra experienced hands to communities but provides the opportunity for retired UW staff to stay involved in the UW mission.

Priorities:

· Promote and provide programs that strengthen United Way by leveraging the talent of the UWRA membership.

· Increase volunteerism by continuing to recruit Service Corps members, particularly looking at ways to tap into newly retired UW personnel.

· Increase services to promote and strengthen leadership development and professionalism in the UW field.

Results:

· In 2007, UWRA expanded consulting and volunteer services for United Ways. UWRA’s unique membership base (retirees and staff in the United Way system) offers the United Way field experience, expertise, nationwide coverage, and knowledge of the United Way system that is not found elsewhere. Program accomplishments for 2007 include:

o Official launch of the Retirement Planning Program emphasizing the need to start planning now for retirement.

o Mentored 11 new UW Executives/other staff in 2007 – six of the mentors retired from UW within the last 2 years and one is still actively employed with UW. UWRA has served over 70 UW staff since the program began in 2000.

o Successful Mentoring Plus relationships in place (i.e., the opportunity for the local United Way staff member and the mentor to expand their relationship for another year).

o Endowment and Planned Giving (EPG) mentoring to 7 small city United Ways in 2007 (more planned for 2008) providing materials, guidance, counsel and support to help start or strengthen their Endowment and Planned Giving programs.

o Maintaining a Crisis Response network to help the UW field when in need.

o Providing UWs who have a need for an experienced professional to provide guidance and Interim Assistance an opportunity reach out to retirees from the UW system who are able to assume these positions with no learning curve.

o Working with United Way International to develop a model for International Mentoring using the talents and expertise of UW retirees.

o Helping new UW Executives learn the UW system and history through publications developed by UWRA (i.e., Quickstart Guide for new UW Executives and Grassroots Initiatives Shape an International Movement).

2. Provide UWRA members with opportunities to stay in communication with fellow retirees, United Way of America and the field.

Why this goal matters: 1) No other such type opportunity exists for retired UW personnel, and 2) in order for UWRA services to remain relevant to the UW field volunteers need to keep abreast of UW happenings.

Priorities:

· Provide mechanisms for retired UW staff to stay in touch with each other.

· Provide opportunities for UW retirees to express their issues and concerns.

· Ensure opportunities are available for UWRA members/volunteers who would like to keep abreast of UW happenings.

· Assist the UW field announce job opportunities/needs, particularly those related to interim on-site assistance.

Results:

· Approximately 200 UWRA members are subscribed to the UWRA Listserv. The listserv was actively used in 2007 to facilitate the exchange and sharing of ideas, questions, and answers among UWRA members and provide the UWRA office a vehicle to post relevant information regarding volunteer opportunities, interim paid UW positions, Webinars, upcoming events, etc.

· Several United Ways in need of interim assistance received the help they needed as a result of postings on the UWRA listserv.

· United Way Online is an important vehicle to keep abreast of happenings in the UW field. UWRA membership is the only way former UW employees are granted access to United Way Online (pending approval by UWA).

· UWRA quarterly newsletter, UPDATES, providing information relevant to members and the UW field is sent for free to all UWRA members and all United Ways (hardcopy and/or electronic version) and posted on Breakfast with UW Online and UWRA’s website www.UWRA.org.

· UWRA’s Web site www.uwra.org provides a host of information ranging from organizational events to retirement planning information.

· An annual gathering at the Wildacres retreat center in Little Switzerland, North Carolina is available to all members providing the opportunity to get together with friends/colleagues and learn about recent United Way of America and UWRA trends, issues and opportunities.

· UWRA is working on an expanded use of Webinar technology both for training and to inform UWRA members and the UW field. UWRA has hosted one Webinar to date and is currently working on Webinars for the Endowment and Planned Giving mentoring program and Retirement Planning.

· UWRA participated in several national, state and regional conferences as both presenters and attendees helping to keep our organization current on the present state and vision of the United Way system and raise awareness of UWRA and the exciting work we are involved in.

3. Provide information and support regarding issues germane to retirees including the value and availability of health and retirement benefits.

Why this goal matters: There is no UW system wide program geared to UW retirees and/or planning for retirement. Those already in retirement will also benefit from shared information from other retirees and materials provided on retirement living.

Priorities:

· Educate individuals and United Way organizations about the need to plan for retirement.

· Explore the availability of and provide information on health and medical programs for retirees.

Results:

· UWRA’s 2007 launch of the Retirement Planning program included mailing published booklets: It’s Never Too Early or Too Late to Plan for Your Retirement and Choosing a Financial Advisor to all UWRA members and all United Way organizations.

· UWRA is strategizing next steps in the Retirement Planning program which include on site and on line programs. UWRA is exploring a collaborative project with other organizations geared to laying the foundation for the development of an ongoing program that will encourage staff at all ages to plan for their retirement and that can be replicated by United Ways and other non-profit organizations throughout the country.

· UWRA developed a Retirement Planning corner on the UWRA website (www.uwra.org) to provide valuable retirement planning information and links.

· UWRA is continuing exploratory discussions regarding possible affiliation with other organizations with the goal of extending the benefits we are able to offer UW retirees.

· UWRA currently offers a free discount prescription drug card for member and spouse and access to insurance products at group rates:

Dental Plan
Hearing Aid Benefit Discount Plan
Identity Theft
Legal Plan
Long Term Care Insurance Plan
Medicare Supplement Plan
Travel Accident Insurance Plan
Vision Plan

4. Increase UWRA’s membership and its volunteer and fiscal resources in order to be able to carry out its mission.

Why this goal matters: Increased resources (i.e. volunteer and fiscal) will allow UWRA to maintain and grow programs that serve members and the United Way field increasing our impact on communities, the profession and fellow retirees.

Priorities:

· Effectively communicate the organization’s accomplishments striving for increased membership and contributions.

· Work on additional sources of funding beyond the annual revenue stream.

· Continue and build upon prospective membership outreach activities.

Results:

· A wall display, presenting visible recognition of the existence and work of the Retirees Association in the United Way of America building, was unveiled in November 2007. The design, which portrays the history of the United Way movement and overlays UWRA’s accomplishments, will also be made into a travel exhibit and poster.

· UWRA representation at UW conferences is crucial to inform the field of our work and insure our services maintain relevance.

· In 2007 the UWRA Endowment Fund expanded to 64 Founders and approximately $275,000 in pledges helping to fund targeted priorities to assist the UW field and UWRA members and strengthen our mission in ways not possible though annual revenue.

· Endowment proceeds have made the Retirement Planning program possible and the UWRA Board allocated additional monies through the Endowment to this program in 2008.

· UWRA is actively exploring leveraging Endowment proceeds with other organizations to both expand and add additional expertise to the retirement planning effort.

· UW organizational (UW support) and member leadership campaigns are running 4% above last year.

· UWRA is working with United Way Human Resource Directors to help get the word out about UWRA.

· UWRA publishes the services available to local United Ways in the UWA Learning Opportunities Catalog.

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)
– Financial Info…. Accountability Matters

As partners in advancing the United Way mission, UWRA members have provided experienced professional services, at no or little cost, to communities in 2007. UWRA runs annual fundraising campaigns to assist in funding these programs, providing the communication tools such as UPDATES and the website, and covering administrative costs. The 2008 Campaign teams are currently being assembled and putting their plans into place to continue the increasing trend in Leadership and Organizational (i.e., LUWs) support.

UWRA Budget:

2007 Budget: $214,00. In addition to United Way of America, financial support comes from membership dues, contributions and leadership gifts; local and state United Ways; and Mutual of America.

Following is a nine year history of the major sources of income:

Year Member Leadership LUWs UWA Mutual of Total

Dues Giving America

1999 $6,444 $13,603 $50,145 $ 5,000 $5,000 $ 80,192

2000 $4,817 $13,265 $64,644 $35,535 $5,000 $123,261

2001 $9,006 $19,916 $76,815 $40,000 $5,000 $150,737

2002 $9,457 $25,665 $77,995 $32,380 $5,000 $150,497

2003 $8,584 $21,373 $67,083 $25,000 $5,000 $127,040

2004 $8,923 $21,940 $62,360 $25,000 $5,000 $123,223

2005 $9285 $21,409 $70,175 $25,000 $5,000 $130,869

2006 $8405 $23,174 $82,503 $25,000 $5,000 $144,082

2007 $8425 $29,967 $80,075* $25,000 $5,000 $148,467

* Campaign is not closed out yet.

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)
– 2007 Board of Directors…. Leadership Matters

The UWRA Board of Directors and Executive Committee provide the guidance and leadership that ensures UWRA improves the quality of life for communities served by United Way and UWRA members.

Board Chair

Leon Matthews – President

Executive Committee

Bernard Hyman – Past President, Chair Nominating Committee

Henry Monaco – President Elect

Alice S. Thacker - Vice President, Resource Development

Janet Obeid Macidull - Vice President, Membership Development

Myron L. Liner - Vice President, Program Development

Dorothea Heiden - Secretary

Tom B. Brown – Treasurer

Appointed Positions

Donald Lee Morgan – Co-Chair Endowment

Donald C. Sanders – Co-Chair Endowment

George W. Wilkinson – Newsletter Editor

Board

Richard N. Aft

Joseph Calabrese

Viney Polite Chandler

James Colville

Allan S. Cooper

Jack C. Costello

William Fields

Anthony Folcarelli

Irving Lauber

Juliet Rowland

William A. Schaeffler

William H. Schwanekamp

Board Members rotating off December 2007; Allan S. Cooper, William Fields, Irving Lauber, Donald Lee Morgan, and Donald C. Sanders

New Board Member effective January 1, 2008: Henry Zimmer

United Way Retirees Association (UWRA)
– Leadership and Organizational Support…. Investors Matter

UWRA members invest their time and expertise to help each other and the United Way field. Thank you all for investing in us!

Below is the list of UWRA individual members who have given a Leadership gift ($100plus) to the organization in 2007:

Diamond Donor Level $1000+

Richard N. Aft

Elizabeth Baier

William Baker

Gerald T. Beggs

Vincent Beninati

Kenneth D. Bennett

William W. Bent

B. Richard Berg

Tom Berglund

Brian J. Bowden

William J. Brennan

Erich Briggs

Helen Britt

Jack Brooks

David W. Brown

Larry Burdett

Edmund M. Burke

Warren T. Burt

Joe Chacko

Salvatore Cina

Kathleen Coan

Chelsey I. Cochran

Roger L. Congdon

Howard Cotner

Richard Covey

Martin Covitz

Donald Custis

Joel O. Davis

Dale DePoy

John DiCesare

James F. Dinsmore

Joan W. Dixon

Dawson Dowty

Sarah Dunn

John F. Eman

Robert Ferriday III

James G. Fletcher

Mary E. Fogarty

Anthony Folcarelli

Deborah W. Foster

Donald J. Frey

Roger L. Frick

Richard A. Fusco

Nancy Clymer Giles

Robert Gilmore

Pat L. Gobble Fekete

Bradford Govan

Theodore Granger

Ferdinand V. Grayson

Calvin Green

W. James Greene

Ralph Gregory

Sharon Hamilton

Valerie Hanson

Winifred Helton

Mack Hixon

Bette Hoffman

John L. Jaco

Ann Jacobson

Donna Johnson

Janet Jokisch-Messig

Yezdyar Kaoosji

Frank Karr

Elizabeth F. Knowles

John D. Kuropchak

Toni Lanford-Ferguson

Robert Langer

H. Allen Larsen

David Lawrence

Joyce Lew

Janet Macidull

Ruth P. Maldonado

John G. McCormick

William McCullough

Michael McLarney

William B. McQueen

Joe B. Medlin

William L. Mills

Ted L. Moore

Rene Moquin

Anna Moroni

Thomas J. Morris

H. Lovell Mosely

Edmund J. Nagle

Tim J. Nawn

Chris Nelson

Tom Nunan

Richard J. O’Brien

David Odenbach

David G. Orrell

Sunshine J. Overkamp

Barbara A. Pacheco

David & Susan Paradine

Edmund B. Parker

Robert L. Pennock, Jr.

Douglas D. Perkins

George Pfeiffer

Robert C. Reifsnyder

Glen Richter

James Ridge

William A. Schaeffler

Joseph Schlangen

William Schwanekamp

Harry Shaw

James G. Smith

Patricia Smith

Ronald A. Spillane

Mary Staples

Ernest Strobel

Thomas Sullivan

Alice S. Thacker

Michael Thompson

Angela D. Tilley

Claude A. Townsend

Raymond Unk

Dirk Van Den Bosch

Stanley Wakeham

Larry Walton

Douglas & Madeleine Warns

Lyanne L. Wassermann

Frank J. Watson

Albert Weiss

Maria I. Wilcox

Robert J. Woods

Frieda E. Zaffarese

Carl Zapora

Henry P. Zimmer

Below is the list of United Ways that supported UWRA in 2007. We are happy to report that UWRA received strong support from the United Way field in 2007 - 58 United Ways increased their gifts and 11 United Ways lent their support for the first time.