September 2005

• United Way Kicks Off 57th Torch Drive 
• UWSEM's Role In Hurricane Katrina Relief
• United Way Employees Lead By Example
• BBDO Campaign Raises the Bar
• Leadership Donors Get Sneak Peek
• Campaign News Briefs
• Campaign Tips
• Asking Matters
• Leadership Matters
• Campaign Tools Checklist
• We Want to Hear From You
• Suggestion Box
• Keep Your Contact Information Updated

United Way Kicks Off 57th Torch Drive 
The 2005 United Way for Southeastern Michigan Torch Drive is now underway! 

The annual campaign officially kicked off Sept. 9, and over the next 10 weeks United Way, its volunteers, partners and supporters will be busy raising $66.5 million. Reaching this goal will ensure that United Way's mission of impacting communities and individual lives across metro Detroit continues. And in light of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, that mission becomes even more critical.

Campaign supports hurricane response
United Way is currently working to meet the emergency needs of evacuees who have come to southeast Michigan, and the organization will continue supporting near-term and future needs in the months and years to come. Torch Drive dollars make this work possible.

This year's campaign target is ambitious, but very much needed to address the needs of people who live and work in metro Detroit. The goal is $2 million higher than the campaign total for 2004, and it was set before storms ravaged the Gulf Coast.

The outpouring of support for Hurricane Katrina survivors will continue into the foreseeable future. It's important to remember that evacuees have already arrived in the metro Detroit area, and are being helped through the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, both of whom receive United Way allocations.

Other United Way partner agencies are there to meet expected demands for housing, physical and emotional health care, youth services and other needs as they arise -- thanks to donor campaign investments.

$3.7 million already in
It's still early, but so far the Torch Drive has raised approximately *$3.8 million, and is off to a strong start, thanks to United Way's 34 Pacesetters. Pacesetters are organizations that agree to launch their campaigns early and set a goal increase of 10 percent or more in order to give the campaign a jumpstart.  

Augmenting the daily work of United Way has welcomed 46 "loaned volunteers" from area companies and members of organized labor to augment the daily work of United Way staff. The volunteers, affectionately called Loaned Ambassadors, will call United Way offices home for 12 weeks. These talented individuals are trained specialists, and will assist area-wide organizations with implementing success driven campaign techniques.
 
This year's Victory Celebration, marking the official end of the campaign, will be held Nov. 22, at the Marriott Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. 

For additional information regarding your campaign or the Torch Drive overall, please call the resource development department at (313) 226-9300. 

* Estimated total as of September 26, 2005

UWSEM's Role In Hurricane Katrina Relief
United Way for Southeastern Michigan is actively mobilizing organizations in the region to meet the needs of Hurricane Katrina survivors, while also continuing its daily efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families in metro Detroit communities.

This massive relief effort includes both providing immediate assistance and resources to evacuees and long-term support for the men, women and children evacuated to metro Detroit. For instance, United Way allocations to organizations like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army put them in a position to respond to emergency situations.

Local relief effort
With United Way support, the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are on the frontline of the relief effort, providing help and supplies to southeast Michigan's newest guests.

Through its network of human services agencies across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties -- United Way will play a critical role in the future of thousands of Gulf Coast evacuees expected to come to the region. UWSEM is working with more than 60 representatives from government, the private and public sectors, non-profits and faith-based groups on a coordinated, regional response.

UWSEM tools link providers
The need for better communication and coordination between formal and informal relief providers has been identified as a major barrier to helping Hurricane Katrina victims now in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

To clear this hurdle, UWSEM has enhanced its Tel-Help service and added a website and Listserv dedicated to Hurricane Katrina relief.

United Way Tel-Help is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 800-552-1183. Tel-Help serves as a single entry point for both immediate and long-term support for evacuees. 

The Listserv sends real-time information, breaking news and other resources for area organizations working to assist survivors.  United Way also launched a website katrina.uwsem.org, for evacuees to the area, donors and volunteers, and service providers.

United Way Employees Lead By Example
United Way for Southeastern Michigan employees set a new record in raising $118,000 during their 2005 internal campaign.

The employee campaign ranks United Way among the Premier Companies, with an employee per capita giving of $983 from approximately 120 employees. United Way employees truly know how to walk the talk. 

BBDO Campaign Raises the Bar
BBDO Detroit raised $193,000 for the Torch Drive during a remarkable Pacesetter campaign, more than 20 percent above the amount the company generated in 2004.

Campaign coordinator Denise Champine worked diligently to spur employees toward raising the bar.  

Innovation, incentives drive success
Denise brought in three partner agency booths for a company visit, and used a number of other innovative strategies during the campaign. Incentives were used to help entice employees to boost their contributions, including the popular offer of an extra day off, a bonus that motivated staff to give in the past.  Denise said that this year, the company set a minimum goal that they worked together to meet, which helped generate even more money.

Even though BBDO Detroit is a United Way Pacesetter, Denise says she and her team plan to continue reaching out to new hires as they arrive between now and Nov. 22, when the 2005 Torch Drive ends.  The team's strategy is expected to give BBDO Detroit's overall campaign an extra boost, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to our region. 

Leadership Donors Get Sneak Peek
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, with the support of area-wide corporate sponsorship,  showed its appreciation to more than 700  leadership giving ($1,000+)  investors Sept. 2 by treating them to an evening of fine art and gourmet cuisine during an exclusive preview of the Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats festival.

The evening included a brief program, food and entertainment inside the Lafayette Grande in downtown Pontiac, followed by a private viewing of artwork exhibited during the popular street fair.

'Giving' leadership recognized
United Way recognized its leadership givers -- those individuals investing $1,000 or more in the Torch Drive - for their role in impacting metro Detroit communities. Their collective contribution helped United Way meet its campaign goal last year, and in the process, supports efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families across the tri-county region in measurable and lasting ways.

Several state and local officials joined the celebration, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry, DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Pontiac Mayor Willie W. Payne.
Event sponsors included the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, Hubert Distributors, Baker College and Whole Foods Market.

For more information regarding leadership giving, contact Beth Noble, Manager of Leadership Giving and the Women's Initiative, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, at 313-226-9405.

Campaign News Briefs

'Loaned' Staff Signs On For Campaign
The 2nd floor at United Way for Southeastern Michigan is a little crowded these days thanks to the addition of the 2005 class of Loaned Ambassadors.

After completing a thorough training program, 46 enthusiastic professionals are settling in to their assignments. They have begun making presentations at local organizations to promote the Torch Drive campaign, and are busily assisting United Way  development staff and volunteers in their efforts to reach the $66.5 million goal.

The Loaned Ambassador program is made possible through local companies and unions that generously agree either to make their employees available to UWSEM during the campaign, or provide funds to support the ambassadors. This year's sponsors include ArvinMeritor, Comerica Bank, Compuware, DaimlerChrysler AG, the Detroit Free Press, FedEx, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Henry Ford Health Systems, the International UAW, J. Walter Thompson, Lear, Masco, National City Bank, Oakwood Health Center and Young & Rubicam. 

First Gentleman To Address SMCVC
Michigan First Gentleman Dan Mulhern will lead an in-depth discussion on the importance of mentorship to our region during the next meeting of the Southeast Michigan Corporate Volunteer Council (SMCVC),

The SMCVC is scheduled to meet Sept. 28, 9-10:30 a.m., at Health Alliance Plan headquarters in Detroit, and the group is currently looking for new volunteers.

The council meets quarterly to discuss trends in corporate volunteerism and for networking. Since it launched in June 2004, the SMCVC has been a catalyst for the development, promotion and maintenance of volunteer programs across metro Detroit.

For additional information, email SMCVC liaison Patricia McCann, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, patricia.mccann@uwsem.org, or call 313-226-9416.

Donation Drive On For Young Katrina Survivors
United Way for Southeastern Michigan and For The Kids Foundation are leading a drive to collect school supplies for young Hurricane Katrina survivors in metro Detroit. 

Donations of new backpacks, notebooks, pens and other school essentials are being accepted from September 26 to October 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at United Way for Southeastern Michigan offices, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services  (ACCESS), Oakland Christian Church and the office of Norman Yatooma & Associates. A complete list of sites is provided below.

Personal care items and toiletries are also being accepted. And, volunteers are needed to sort donations.

Collection sites:

• UWSEM (Detroit) - 1212 Griswold, Detroit, MI 48224 - 313.226.9430
• UWSEM (Macomb) - 178 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, MI 48043 - 586.463.5660
• ACCESS - 2651 Saulino Court, Dearborn, MI 48120 - 313.842.7010
• Oakland Christian - 5100 N. Adams, Oakland Twp., MI 48306 - 248.276.9900
• N.Yatooma & Assoc. - 219 Elm St., Birmingham, MI 48009 - 248.642.3600

For more information, contact Patricia McCann, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, at 313.226.9416, or e-mail patricia.mccann@uwsem.org.

UPS Wins Spirit Of Service Award
UPS won the first-ever Corporate Spirit of Service Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service, for its commitment to corporate service, philanthropy and volunteering.

UPS was cited for donating nearly $40 million in 2004 to the communities that it serves around the world. The company was also praised for its Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, through which more than 30,000 UPS employees organize food drives, work in soup kitchens, mentor troubled youth, and help to improve impoverished communities across the country.

Additional details and nomination information for the 2006 award can be found online at www.NationalService.gov.

Campaign Tips

Promotion generates campaign buzz
If you want to achieve maximum participation in your campaign, you have to publicize your efforts through as many channels as possible. Use the communication channels that your colleagues are likely to plug into each day, like ...

• Employee Web sites, Intranets and company publications
• Trade publications and popular external media vehicles
• Special displays, posters and banners in the workplace
• United Way's electronic campaign toolbox (Check out the United Way website at www.uwsem.org to download, at no cost, web banners, streaming video "What Matters", artwork and much more.)
• Staff meetings
• Interoffice mail
• E-mails
• Telephone calls and voicemail messages
• Run campaign video in break room

To use your resources effectively, list the communication options you have available and then decide what message is appropriate for each medium.

Energize your campaign with a rally
Use a kickoff rally to generate enthusiasm and support for the campaign. Pick a theme for the kickoff event, and carry it through the entire campaign. Educate your peers at the rally by playing the United Way video, inviting United Way speakers and service recipients to speak and having management and labor representatives endorse the campaign. Let everyone know the campaign goal.

Asking matters
The number one reason people don't contribute is because they were not asked. TIP: Asking in person truly makes a difference. The two most successful ways to ask are the one-to-one request and the group request Make it personal! We all like to make informed decisions. Whichever you decide to use, please be sure to invite everyone to participate!

The approach
Each employee is asked by a fellow worker (the campaign volunteer) to contribute. This allows contributors time to ask questions and hear firsthand about community needs and related services. Successful one-to-one requests require trained campaigners who know about United Way and are skilled and comfortable in asking for a pledge.

Advantages of one-to-one requests

• Campaigners can tailor the United Way message to individual employees.
• Campaigners can ask for contributions and answer questions individually.
• Campaigners can learn why a non-participating employee doesn't contribute and then address any concerns related to that decision.

Tips for one-to-one requests

• Recruit key people from each department. Try to get one volunteer for every 10-15 employees.
• Try to use volunteers. People who volunteer to participate are proven to be more effective than those who are chosen or asked.
• Use agency tours, speakers and other tools to make sure volunteers know about United Way.

Group Requests
In preparing for group requests, make sure that managers and employees are told before attending a group meeting that they'll be asked to contribute to United Way.

The approach
After hearing the United Way story and seeing the campaign video, ask everyone to make their pledge using the card provided by United Way or your payroll department. Collect pledge cards as people leave the meeting.

Online pledging
If your company is interested in online pledging, call 313-226-9300. This approach is not necessarily appropriate for all companies You must first consider the culture or the organization and the ability for every employee to access a computer.  Additionally, the use of online pledging does not preclude the need for one-to-one contact.  The personal touch is still needed.

Leadership Matters

The Leadership Giving program recognizes United Way investors who contribute $1,000 or more.

Donors are recognized for their investment on several levels including, The Tocqueville Society ($10,000), the Vanguard ($5,000) and Signature Club ($1,000). Additionally, there is a Fast-Track option that enables investors to receive full recognition in the first year along with the annual benefits of Leadership Giving membership while taking up to three years to incrementally reach the full gift commitment.

Leadership Giving benefits include invitations to exciting members-only events and significant recognition by UWSEM.

Please Note:  In order to process and recognize a leadership gift (including payroll deduction or stock transfer), a Leadership Giving enrollment card must be filled out in addition to the standard employee pledge card. The enrollment cards are part of the Leadership Giving brochure, available from your United Way campaign staff representative or on the web at www.uwsem.org.

How to run a great Leadership Giving campaign:

• Ask for help! Recruit a member of your executive staff to act as a Coordinator for Leadership Giving. This person should be a member. If your organization has more than 10 Leadership contributors or prospects, a team of current leadership givers should provide a more personalized approach.

• Focus your outreach. Identify prospects within your organization by targeting management/senior staff and those already giving near the Leadership Giving levels. As you develop your list, keep the entry-level investment options in mind: $42 per pay, semi-monthly qualifies one for membership in the entry level Signature Club. $20 per pay, semi-monthly allows an investor to select the fast track for the Signature Club.

• Use a winning approach. Start the campaign with a letter from the CEO and labor leadership (if appropriate) requesting a Leadership Gift, from prospects and current members. Hold a special event featuring a testimonial from a current member. Finally, a personal visit may be necessary to follow up on giving commitments.

• Start early. Consider conducting the Leadership Giving solicitation in advance of the annual campaign.  This way, members will set the pace for the general campaign and you will have time to efficiently follow-up with your major contributors before the busy annual drive kicks off.

• Communicate results - thank your investors. Announce your organization's results at your campaign kickoff to generate excitement. Make sure to thank donors personally and recognize them internally (e.g., a list of names in the company newsletter). Finally, don't forget to return employee's enrollment cards so United Way can properly acknowledge and thank each investor.

United Way staff is available to help develop your Leadership Giving campaign.  The staff has best practices and printed resources available for you, along with the ability to make dynamic presentations about Leadership Giving and our special membership programs for African Americans and women: the Virgil H. Carr Society and the Women's Initiative, respectively.

For more information and technical assistance please contact:

Michelle Smith
Director of Operations and Virgil H. Carr Initiative
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Phone: 313-226-9258
michelle.smith@uwsem.org

Campaign Tools Checklist

Click here to download a checklist to organize your campaign.

We want to hear from you
Employee Campaign Coordinators Survey
United Way for Southeastern Michigan is working to make sure campaign coordinators are equipped the tools they need to be effective. Please take a moment to complete our brief online survey.

Suggestion Box
In an effort to provide employee campaign coordinators with the information and resources needed to be successful, Campaigner Connection appreciates feedback, suggestions and tips for story ideas from readers. We would like to hear from you!

Keep your contact information updated
We want to make sure this publication gets into the right hands each month by updating contact information as needed. Please inform us of any changes you would like us to know about by updating the form below:

You can also e-mail your changes or additions to Ada Kelly at United Way, ada.kelly@uwsem.org, or call 313.226.9233.