Living United

We often say that information about United Way is a mile wide, but an inch deep. It is not unusual for me to talk to people who express a sincere appreciation for United Way, but are vague on exactly how we do our work to help people in need. Most people know our name and that we help people, but not much more than that.

Because United Way does so much in the community to help people, strengthen agencies and provide stewardship for our generous contributors, explaining the work of United Way is complicated. Most people don’t know we manage 2-1-1 – a phone number you can call 24/7/365 to get connected to help. Most people don’t know we administer 100 Neediest Cases. Most people don’t know we help with emergency and disaster situations and economic challenges such as the mortgage crisis.

I get numerous opportunities to talk about United Way. Since the time to speak is normally fairly limited, I have developed my “elevator pitch.” In it, I try to tell people what I think they should know before they invest their money or volunteer time in United Way.

My speech goes like this: United Way efficiently raises money – in fact, we are so efficient that more than 90 cents of each dollar goes to help people. We fund quality agencies – nearly 200 local agencies receive United Way funding, and the funding decisions are made by trained volunteers who review the agencies based on established quality standards to insure that we, as contributors, can be assured of good stewardship of our gifts. This means we effectively help people in need.

This last part, the helping people in need part, is what is important. United Way’s volunteers and staff do all that we do with that one goal in mind.

We recently developed a short video that helps illustrate exactly what we do and how we do it. Click here to learn more about the United Way. You may be amazed at all the ways we help people.

I love to meditate on all things leadership.

Surfing the internet one day, I came across the following statement issued by an analyst for CNN: “A leader's role is to raise people's aspirations for what they can become and to release their energies so they will try to get there.”

What a powerful and true statement that is played out everyday here at United Way and throughout our community.

So many of you have chosen to volunteer your time, by serving on boards and committees of local organizations. Your service provides vision, and releases potential.

At our most recent Get on Board program, where 175 diverse people attended, the most frequently asked question that I received was “Will my company be flexible with my work schedule so that I can serve on a board?” The answer in general is yes, although you should talk to your direct manager before committing yourself during your normal work hours. Most companies view your involvement in community boards as part of their community relations mission. They also see it as an opportunity to invest in you as a leader.

If you're interested in joining a board, check out our helpful "next steps" to get on board.

I want to give a very special thank you to the many volunteers who choose to serve on our Leadership Giving cabinets helping the community $1,000+ at a time.

Have a happy Fourth of July!

Orv Kimbrough, senior vice president, major gifts & planned giving and marketing

Connect with Orv on LinkedIn

I've had a great career thus far serving in the nonprofit sector.

If memory serves me correctly, the first board that I was asked to be a part of was Area Resources for Community and Human Services, or ARCHS. I was 27 years old, had just completed a graduate degree and was terrified that I might be expected to know something. I learned that graduate study is not a prerequisite for serving on a board — passion and skill are!

Most of the board members at that time were significantly older. Generally, this is still the case nearly eight years later, but the truth is, I do know a little something, and so do you. Today, I have the privilege of serving on local, state and national boards.

Diversity is still a real problem in so many organizations at the board level. Diversity in terms of age, race, gender, thought and economics at any organization enriches and strengthens it. I believe that most organizations value diversity but struggle with how to get it done. Any diversity effort has to be intentional.

I was asked once by an organization, “When will we know that we have achieved our diversity goals?” The answer? When we stop talking about it; when it becomes second nature and we truly see the business advantage to board diversity. We need organizations to become more open and we need individuals like you to become interested in board service.

Your passion and skill are needed! If you want to learn more, join us on June 15 for a forum on how to "Get on Board." If you're interested in joining a board, check out our helpful "next steps" to get on board.

Orv Kimbrough, senior vice president, major gifts & planned giving and marketing

Connect with Orv on LinkedIn

Mother's Day and Father's Day are right around the corner -- do you need some creative ways to say thank you? Here's five ideas. 

1. Surprise your mom or dad with a little quality time doing their favorite activity -- a nice lunch out, shopping, a round of golf or working in the garden.
2. Send your mom a virtual flower. 
3. Offer to babysit for a neighbor or friend so they can enjoy a parents' night out.
4. Remember "honorary" parents -- grandparents, aunts and uncles, step-parents, mentors, etc.
5. Just say "thanks." A phone call can mean the most.

Five parents that inspire us

So many people in our region are doing amazing things to help kids. Here's five that inspire us:

1. The Williams unexpectedly became the main caregivers of their 3-year-old grandson and found help from Webster Child Care Center. The percentage of grandparents who are the primary caregiver of their grandchildren has steadily increased over the last two decades.
2. Shauna, already a mother of two, took in her teenage nieces when their parents were both deployed to Iraq. She's relying on Cornerstone Center for Early Learning to give her young kids a safe and educational and place to stay during the day.
3. Cathy fought to make sure her son, who had been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, got the special education classes he needed. With the help of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, her son is now doing much better in school.
4. Regina received her GED and on-the-job training at Kingdom House so she can better support her two kids.
5. We're cheating a little on the last one, because it's not just one parent -- it's the 1,608 "Bigs" matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. Often this bond includes close ties with other family members and ends up lasting a lifetime.

Whatever your story -- whether you're a parent, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, a "Big" or a neighbor -- thank you!