Services for Local United Ways

 

UWRA in cooperation with United Way Worldwide piloted in 2010 a successful system wide on-line coaching system (Mentor Scout) that helps employees develop professionally by connecting them with experienced mentors from the UW system. In 2010 one in five of the active mentoring relationships in Mentor Scout were powered by a UWRA mentor.  This FREE online web tool can expand your network and introduce you to individuals who can assist you in your career growth and help you with feedback and advice on sharpening your skills. Click Here for more information about the online program. UWRA volunteers have also mentored more than 75 United Way staff through a personalized program consisting of on-site visits.  

 

Is your United Way trying to figure out how to get an Endowment and Planned Giving Program (EPG) off the ground or strengthening an existing program?  

The UWRA EPG program works to increase the number of United Way organizations with viable planned giving programs.  Significant benefits to the United Way include: 1) access to years of experience within United Way that each UWRA volunteer brings to the table; 2) considerable cost savings gained using a program facilitated by experienced volunteers versus an outside consulting firm and 3) increased community awareness of the local United Way and their community impact agenda.   UWRA has served 120 United Ways and 235 participants by providing informational programs on Planned Giving.  The current UWRA EPG program, which takes local United Ways through a feasibility study process, has served 10 organizations and added approximately 1.5 million in expectancies to the United Way system.  If interested please contact the UWRA office or Click Here to read more and fill out a progam application.

 

UWRA collaborated with United Way Worldwide Talent Management and the Council of States to develop a more comprehensive Onboarding plan for new United Way Executives including an updated Quickstart Guide, Webinars, Mentoring Resources, and a New Presidents listserv.  The updatedQuickstart Guide for new United Way Executives was rolled out at the 2011 New Presidents Forum. The Guide includes a new section/checklist created by UWRA presenting some ideas from experienced executives on how to manage the first few months on the job.

 

United Ways sometimes find themselves in need of temporary extra assistance or in need of interim help due to a sudden vacated position or health circumstances. UWRA members have served in numerous United Way interim positions nationwide and are able to assume these positions with no learning curve.  United Ways can post interim opportunities on the UWRA listserv and reach an experienced database of former United Way staff.  This has proven to be a successful approach and a wonderful opportunity for United Ways to reach out to people that have expertise and experience in the United Way system.  While many of the services that UWRA offers the United Way system are powered by volunteers that donate their time; Interim positions often last several months and as such are a stipend/expense arrangement.  In addition to providing experienced interim assistance, UWRA members have also offered considerable help to United Ways in the search process for open positions and in some cases training new employees.  If interested please contact the UWRA office.   

 

UWRA created and distributed practical retirement planning materials (Choosing a Financial Advisor and It’s Never to Early or Too Late to Plan for your RETIREMENT) which were provided in early 2008 to all UWRA members and over 1,200 local United Way organizations for each of their 20,000 employees.  This website also includes helpful retirement planning and social security links;  and based on UWRA’s continuing work in this area the organization launched a Webinar series dealing with hot button retirement planning topics.  

 

UWRA has provided leadership in the preservation of the history of the United Way system (locally, nationally and internationally) through publications (e.g., Grassroots Initiatives Shape an International Movement and Global Vision and Local Action), history banner, posters, and guidance on archived materials in preperation for the opening of the Mary M. gates Learning Center.