INTERNATIONAL HISTORY COMPLETES

UNITED WAY TRILOGY

The newly published history of United Way International, Global Vision, Local Action, completes Dick and Mary Lu Aft’s voluntary commitment to document the movement that has been part of their lives since 1961.   Release of the book was timed to coincide with United Way of America members’ May vote to join UWI in forming United Way Worldwide.

· Global Vision, Local Action reports the history of United Way International from its incorporation in 1974 through its staff integration with United Way of America in 2009.  The 80-page book traces UWI’s program and leadership from its creation by United Way of America through its development as an autonomous organization serving affiliates in over fifty countries and territories.  Affiliates, along with descriptions of their unique programs and services, are described.  Board members, trustees, and CEOs are identified, along with their years of service.  Copies of this 80-page book are available from the United Way Store at a cost of $10.00, plus mailing costs.

· Grassroots Initiatives Shape an International Movement, published in 2004, documents over 200 local innovations such as federated fund-raising, planning and priority-setting, and community impact that have come to define local United Way programs since 1876.  Copies of this 252-page book are available from the United Way Store at a cost of $10.00, plus mailing costs.

· Painful Decisions, Positive Results, published in 2000, presents 85 years of local United Way history in Cincinnati, Ohio as a typical example of the growth and development of United Ways from associations of groups that provided direct service to people in need to community organizations that focus on changing community conditions. Copies of this 310-page book are available from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati for $20.00, plus mailing costs.

All proceeds from the sale of these books go to the endowment funds of the United Way Retirees Association on whose board Dick serves and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati which Dick served as President from 1987 until 2001.  

The Afts have worked as a United Way team since 1961 when Dick served as a graduate intern with the United Fund and Community Planning Council in Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A., and Mary Lu helped him edit United Way publications. They also married that year. Their partnership has included 42 years of United Way service in nine American cities, Dick as a professional, Mary Lu as a volunteer. Together, they have represented United Way International in Hungary, Indonesia, Poland, Ireland, Kazakhstan, and Romania. They have participated in regional and global UWI conferences as trainers and speakers.