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UWRA NEWSLETTER 1
UPDATESUWRA REPORTS KEY TRENDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CINDA A. HALLMAN AGING STUDYIn 2019, a restricted grant from the Cinda A. Hallman Memorial Fund provided funding for UWRA to conduct an extensive review of aging in place practices and programs, honoring Ms. Hallman’s intentions to help older adults remain in their homes.
The project objectives were: 1) Research the key factors contributing to an older adult’s ability to successfully age in place; 2) Conduct a landscape review of initiatives, trends, and best practices among a broad stakeholder base; and 3) Identify scalable program and service opportunities that fit the endowment intentions and complement United Way’s successful work.
Ed John, UWRA Board member and project advisor, joined UWRA CEO Amber Kelleher in August 2019 to present top trends and observations to key staff members from United Way Worldwide.
UWRA’s research team interviewed dozens of individuals and influencers in the aging community (see inset) and identified six broad recommendations for consideration by the United Way network:
1. AMPLIFY UNITED WAY’S COMMITMENT TO OLDER ADULTS Several local United Way organizations are championing impact initiatives for older adults in meaningful and innovative ways. However, a prevailing perception, both internally and externally, is that United Way “doesn’t do aging.” Opportunities exist to challenge that perception by amplifying current successes across the network within United Way’s existing pillars of health, education, and financial stability.
2. DRIVE KNOWLEDGE SHARING One of the greatest areas of opportunity is to leverage United Way learning resources (e.g., the Mary Gates Learning Center) and UWRA’s connections (e.g., national aging experts) to deliver thought-leader interviews, centers of excellence spotlights, and curated content highlighting leading practices for helping older adults remain in their homes.
3. CONTINUE AND EXPAND NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS Many individuals and organizations contacted during the research study expressed a genuine interest in working with United Way on a local and/or national level to further the work of helping older adults successfully age in their communities. There is significant untapped potential to fast-track successful initiatives by partnering with national networks and brands, such as AARP, Meals on Wheels, Society for Human Resource Managers (SHRM), National Council on Aging (NCOA), and more.
4. ENGAGE CORPORATE PARTNERS IN NEW WAYS Among the greatest challenges facing older adults who wish to remain in their homes is access to transportation and affordable caregivers. Local United Ways are successfully addressing these challenges with support from local corporate partners, which could be expanded nationally and internationally with additional support from parent companies and other funders.
Issue 3, 2019
KEY TRENDS & OBSERVATIONS y Shifting demographics are driving attention and some action. y Social determinants of health are key factors for aging in place. y Lexicon and diverse perspectives are reframing aging. y Multigenerational approaches are trending as emerging solutions. y Economics of home-based care and healthcare cost avoidance
are indisputable. y Unpaid caregivers are in the spotlight; demand is accelerating
beyond supply. y Evidence-based programming is garnering some funding. y Opportunities exist for better coordination amidst fragmentation. y Measuring meaningful outcomes continues to be challenging. y One size does not fit all.
PARTIAL LIST OF STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWSPARTIAL LIST OF STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
...continued on page 8
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HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO OUR MEMBERS!INSIDE2019 Year in Review 2
Welcome New Board Members 4
2019 UWRA Gathering 5
Member Recollections and Highlights 6
Recommended Reading 8
UW’s Race Equity Movement 9
Remembering Friends 10
2019 Leadership Giving Circle 10
Dunne’s Honored with Named Endowment Fund 11
Celebrating 30 years of UWRA 12
As 2019 comes to a close, we are grateful for another year filled with opportunities to Make Connections and Make a Difference for UWRA members and the United Way network.
There are so many accomplishments to celebrate this year (see Year in Review, pages 2 and 3), including UWRA’s illuminating research on healthy aging (see cover article) and unforgettable memories made during the UWRA Gathering (see page 5).
We have an engaged and committed Board of Directors (see page 4), steadfast support from our valued members (see Leadership Giving Circle members on pages 10 and 11), and generous contributions of time and talent from so many UWRA members and partners.
As we look ahead to 2020, we are excited to honor UWRA’s 30th anniversary (see UWRA Historian Dick Aft’s article on page 12). It will be a valuable time to reflect on who we’ve been, who we are, and who we want to be. We look forward to gathering your input and taking your perspectives into consideration during our formal strategic planning process in April 2020.
On behalf of UWRA, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season filled with Joy, Peace, and Happiness.
Carl & Amber
MAKING CONNECTIONSCommunication... connection... camaraderie…
UWW BREAKFAST ONLINEMany UWRA members start their day with UWW’s daily Breakfast e-newsletter, which highlights key activities and developments across the United Way network. Access to Breakfast remains an exclusive member benefit for UWRA members. (Email [email protected] for information about receiving Breakfast.)
UPDATES NEWSLETTERThe UWRA newsletter, published three times each year, is distributed to UWRA members and United Ways through a combination of digital media and printed mailings. UWRA members consistently identify Updates as one of the top-rated benefits of UWRA membership.
MEMBERS-ONLY ONLINE COMMUNITYWorkplace, an online community where nearly 8,000 current and former United Way staff connect, communicate, and collaborate, is a membership benefit exclusive to UWRA members. In addition to a members-only community, UWRA members may join hundreds of other Workplace groups based on their interests and experience (e.g., Community Impact; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; UW History; and Women United, to name a few). (Email [email protected] for information about accessing Workplace.)
MEMBER GATHERINGS To foster continued connections, UWRA held its annual Gathering in October 2019 in Alexandria, Virginia, with record-breaking attendance of retirees, alumni, and guests. This year’s location offered a unique opportunity for participants to reconnect with and hear from UWW’s Executive Management Team (EMT). Planning is underway for a 2020 Gathering in Louisville, Kentucky.
LINKEDIN GROUP FOR UNITED WAY PROFESSIONALS UWRA continues to administer a legacy LinkedIn group, United Way Professionals and Alumni, which has a membership of 5,000+ current and former United Way professionals. The group represents an expansive audience and an additional communication channel to further connections to the United Way network and the work of UWRA. (Visit https://www.linkedin.com/groups/113977/ to request membership to the LinkedIn group.)
UWRA WEBSITE The UWRA website remains an important vehicle to effectively communicate information and opportunities to current and prospective UWRA members. One of the most visited pages in 2019 is the Acknowledgements page (https://www.uwra.org/acknowledgements), which includes members of UWRA’s Leadership Giving Circle, a current list of Loyal Contributors, and a summary of UWRA Endowment Founders and Contributors.
2019 YEAR IN REVIEW
From Carl Zapora (Board Chair, UWRA) and Amber Kelleher (President & CEO, UWRA)
UWRA NEWSLETTER 3
UWRA MEMBERS AS NETWORK RESOURCESIn 2019, members of UWRA’s Programs Work Group prioritized objectives to build awareness and expand the network’s perception of UWRA members as assets and resources, resulting in demonstrable value for UWRA members and the organizations they assisted. New and stronger partnerships with UWW staff, state association leaders, newly named regional directors, and local United Way executives were key to the appreciable growth made in 2019. Examples of specific programming and advisory areas are referenced below.
AMPLIFYING AGING INITIATIVEThanks to a restricted grant from the Cinda A. Hallman Memorial Fund, UWRA conducted a landscape review in 2019 of aging in place practices and programs, honoring Ms. Hallman’s intentions to help older adults remain in their homes. The research team interviewed dozens of aging experts, community-based organizations, UW partners, and UW program staff. Six key areas of focus were presented to UWW for further consideration. UWRA anticipates applying for additional funding for continued work in this area in 2020 and beyond.
CEO CHAT SERIES & WARMLINEIn September 2019, UWRA launched a CEO Chat, the first in a series of quarterly programs designed to provide UW executives with an opportunity to connect with UWRA members who have successfully navigated similar roles. The topic for the first chat, Revenue Diversification, featured insights from three UWRA Board members and participation by more than 50 UW professionals. UWRA also introduced a ‘warmline’ called CEO Assist, which is a dedicated email address for UW professionals to pose questions to UWRA members.
COACHING & MENTORINGUWRA continued its collaboration with UWW’s Talent Management team in support of the Mentor Match platform. The rich experience of the UWRA volunteer base has been invaluable to United Way staff as they navigate their responsibilities. UWRA members make up more than one-third of the program’s mentors, with numbers growing every week. (Visit https://unitedway.chronus.com/about for more information on becoming a mentor.)
CRISIS RESPONSE INITIATIVE A small team of UWRA members with direct experience in crisis response and disaster recovery continues to serve as a resource to assist and support local United Ways. In 2019, efforts expanded to enlist corporate funding to enable on-site support, as needed. Growing collaboration with UWW’s Vice President of Corporate Relations is expected to expand this work in 2020. (Email [email protected] if you have crisis response experience and are interested in joining this cohort.)
ENDOWMENT & PLANNED GIVING (EPG) INITIATIVE UWRA’s team of pro bono planned giving consultants responded to numerous requests from local United Ways for mentoring and coaching resources to establish and grow their endowment and planned giving programs. UWRA also hosted a planned giving webinar, as part of a webinar series for smaller United Ways: Getting and Keeping Leadership and Board Support for Your Planned Giving Program. UWRA partners closely with UWW’s Director of Planned Giving and Transformational Gift Services to fill an important role in this space. (Email [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about becoming a planned giving consultant for UWRA.)
ENGAGING PRE-RETIREES AND RETIREES INITIATIVE Advancing the United Way network’s engagement of the pre-/retiree market is a key focus of UWRA, working in collaboration with UWW. UWRA hosted eleven Spotlight Series chats in 2019, highlighting United Ways that are making strides with their pre-/retiree engagement efforts. Nearly 700 people registered for the monthly discussions, which are live streamed and archived via a dedicated online community (https://unitedway.facebook.com/groups/EngagingRetirees/) created and moderated by UWRA, with 600+ subscribers from United Ways around the country.
EXECUTIVE SEARCH SUPPORTA small cohort of UWRA members volunteered in 2019 to assist UWW’s Talent & Board Engagement team with executive searches for smaller United Ways. UWRA partnered with UWW to host an introductory webinar and initial training for interested members. Assignments will begin in 2020. (Email [email protected] if you are interested in joining the cohort to provide executive search support.)
INTERIM STAFFING PLACEMENTS One of the best-known services offered by UWRA is the opportunity to fill United Way interim positions nationwide with UWRA members, who assume these important roles with no learning curve. In 2019, UWRA strengthened its partnerships with state associations and local United Ways to successfully place current and former United Way staff in multiple interim positions.
RETIREMENT PLANNING INITIATIVE UWRA is engaged in ongoing communications to encourage and empower current and former United Way staff to take the initiative in planning for their retirement. Articles, publications, and other helpful resources are regularly posted in UWRA’s members-only online discussion group, as well as hosted in United Way Online. In 2019, UWRA engaged in conversations with subject matter experts to expand these resources for the coming year.
UNITED WAY HISTORY UWRA is committed to the appreciation and preservation of United Way history through articles, publications, videos, and more. UWRA members, led by Emeritus Board member Dick Aft, actively contribute to the United Way History community on Workplace (https://unitedway.facebook.com/groups/103030996927739/), where current and former United Way professionals convene to share institutional knowledge, memorabilia, media clips, and memories.
MAKING A DIFFERENCEThose who served are still serving…
2019 YEAR IN REVIEW
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CAROL BURGER (JACKSON, MS)When and where did you retire? I retired in June 2018 as CEO of United Way of the Capital Area in Jackson, Mississippi, where I served for 34 years.
How do you spend your time these days? I am fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with my family, especially my grandkids who are 12 and 14. Both are active in sports and honor roll students. We are all avid New Orleans Saints fans!
My volunteer life keeps me busy, too. I am currently Vice Chair of the Refill Jackson Initiative (a workforce training program), Chair of Visit Jackson (our city’s convention and visitor’s bureau), Governance Committee Chair of the Greater Jackson Arts Council, Advisory Board member of St. Dominic Health Services, and active with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi.
When I have the opportunity, I love to travel. My bucket list includes going back to South Africa and visiting Amsterdam.
How long have you been involved with UWRA? United Way of the Capital Area was an organizational member of UWRA, and I joined as an individual member about two years before I retired. My good friend Susan Dunn called me shortly afterward and recruited me as a member of her Membership Work Group for UWRA. I was helping with membership for about a year before another good friend, Janet Jackson, approached me about becoming a UWRA Board member.
What are you looking forward to most about serving on the UWRA Board? I look forward to working with UWRA staff and the other Board members to continue to grow and strengthen the organization.
What would you like to share that most people may not already know about you? People may not know I am an avid soccer fan. My son started playing when he was 4 years old. He played on select teams throughout school and still plays with an adult league. My 12-year-old granddaughter is following in his footsteps. She started playing when she was 5 and now plays on regional and state select soccer teams, in addition to the varsity team at school. I spend a lot of time on the soccer field!
WELCOME, NEW BOARD MEMBERSYou may recognize UWRA’s newest Board members, United Way veterans Carol Burger and Rob Reifsnyder, whose Board terms begin on January 1, 2020.
SINCERE THANKS TO UWRA’S OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERSOn behalf of the UWRA Board and staff, we extend our sincerest gratitude to outgoing Board members Shannon Abitbol and David Lee who will complete their service at the end of 2019.
Shannon’s editing skills and marketing insights were a welcome addition to the Board as she filled an appointed term in 2019. She offered thoughtful comments and shared important perspectives as one of our alumni members.
David has been an active UWRA Board member since 2014. His many contributions include serving as a planned giving coach for local United Way staff members and providing strong leadership for UWRA’s Revenue Diversification Work Group.
Thank you, Shannon and David!
2019 UWRA BOARD OF DIRECTORSCarl Zapora, Board ChairSusan Gilmore, Board Chair-electEd John, TreasurerSusan Dunn, SecretaryJoe Tolan, Vice-Chair, Membership
Deborah Bayle, Vice-Chair, ProgramsDavid Lee, Vice-Chair, Revenue DiversificationRalph Gregory, Immediate Past Board ChairDick Aft, Emeritus Board Member
Shannon Abitbol
Barbara EdmondRoger FrickThelma GarzaJanet JacksonBill MillsEd Rivera
UWRA Board meetings will be held April 27-28, 2020 and November 9-10, 2020.
ROB REIFSNYDER (CINCINATTI, OH)Which United Ways were part of your career? I retired as CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati in May 2018, after a wonderful 43-year career with United Way. I served as a United Way of America National Intern in Torrington, CT and New Orleans, LA in 1975-76. After that I worked for United Way in Berkshire, MA from 1976-79, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati from 1979-86, Metro United Way in Louisville, KY from 1987-2000, and finally, United Way of Greater Cincinnati from 2001-18.
How do you spend your time? Today, I’m working as a UWW consultant (part-time), a role that includes onboarding new United Way CEOs. I’m also co-chairing the Capital Campaign for Cincinnati’s Regional Theater and serving as a volunteer for several other organizations, including United Way of Greater Cincinnati. I’m running and exercising more, reading, travelling, and getting more sleep than I did before I retired!
Why did you initially choose to join UWRA as an individual member? I joined UWRA more than a dozen years ago because I wanted to support the network of United Way alumni and retirees and the good work they were doing for United Way.
What are you looking forward to most about serving on the UWRA Board? Frankly, what I’m looking forward to most in my service with the UWRA Board is the opportunity to reconnect with friends and associates I’ve known and worked with for almost a lifetime! But I also hope to contribute in a small way to the work of the association.
What would you like to share that most people may not already know about you? Most people don’t know that my wife Gretchen and I spent our honeymoon at a cancer clinic — neither of us had cancer and we weren’t volunteering! A long and good story.
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2019 UWRA GATHERING PARTICIPANTSPlanning Committee Members:
Barbara EdmondSusan Gilmore
Bill Mills
Participants:Carol Burger
Viney ChandlerBarbara Edmond
Pat Gobble Fekete & Nicholas FeketeBob Ferriday & Barb McMath
Roger & Susan FrickDebbie Foster
Susan & Ben GilmoreRobert Hines
Ed John & Joyce WilburTish McCutchen
Bill MillsBev & Dennis Prueter
Rob & Gretchen ReifsnyderLauren Segal & Rich Grigos
Maurine Dyer Stevens & Jack StevensBeth Terry
Alice ThackerJoe & Terry Tolan
Roger WoodCarl Zapora & Cheryl Foster
JOE AND TERRY TOLAN TO HOST 2020 UWRA GATHERING – SEPTEMBER 21-25, 2020The local host is the key to success for each UWRA Gathering. The host dedicates considerable time and
attention to the minutiae that makes our week so special. In 2020, former United Way execs Joe and Terry Tolan have graciously agreed to host us in Louisville, their home community. They look forward to showing off their city to United Way colleagues.
OUR TIME AT THE 2019 UWRA GATHERING By Lauren Segal
In early October, my husband Rich Grigos (also a United Way alum) and I attended the UWRA gathering in Alexandria, Virginia. We were initially uncertain about attending, since we have been away from the United Way system for more than 10 years. But the agenda sounded interesting, with visits to museums and other DC attractions, and we could combine it with a visit to see family members who live in the area. Turns out it was one of the best decisions we’ve made in a while!
Our hosts, Barbara Edmond, Susan Gilmore, and Bill Mills, pre-arranged everything, ensuring we would all have a great time. You could do as much or as little as you wanted to - be off on your own or participate with the group – it was totally up to you. We visited in Smithsonian’s African-American Museum, The Newseum, Library of Congress, the DC Harbor, and Mount Vernon. UWW’s CEO Brian Gallagher graciously hosted a reception the first night with other members of the Executive Management Team. There was another reception later in the week with United Way retirees and alumni who live in the area. One night we took a tour of the DC area buildings and monuments after dark. It was very moving to see these magnificent majestic structures lit up against the night sky.
Perhaps one of the most memorable events involved a dinner excursion to The DC Central Kitchen in the Anacostia section of Washington, DC, where the median household income is less than $20,000 per year. Other statistics related to crime, poverty, unemployment, and teen pregnancy are equally disheartening in this part of DC. And in the midst of it all, there is an agency that is training young people to work in the restaurant industry. This was the first time The DC Kitchen had ever hosted a dinner and it was excellent! We had a chance to talk to some of the young people about their dreams, aspirations, and motivation for being in the program. I don’t think any of us will forget that experience any time soon.
While the individual events were fun, it was equally enjoyable to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It was such a delight to catch up with people, find out where they are in their lives, and discover where their passions lie. Instead of discussing community impact best practices, campaign totals, and percent increases, we explored meaningful interests in people’s lives, getting to know each other better than ever before. UWRA members are a talented group of people who are doing some amazing things!
Suffice it to say that Rich and I are very glad we went and are already looking forward to next year‘s get-together in Louisville, Kentucky. I hope you will plan on joining us!
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SUE SUTER (LANCASTER, PA)In early 2020, I will retire from my United Way career after 30+ years. I plan on helping my 91-year-old father sell his condo in Florida, settle in Cape Cod (MA), and then apply to join the Peace Corps in 2021. The adventures continue!
My career has always been in service to the communities where I lived. When it comes to my United Way communities, I have held positions with United Way of Mass Bay (MA), United Way of America, Seacoast United Way (NH), United Way of South Mississippi, and my current role as CEO of United Way of Lancaster County (PA). There are so many experiences and memories from those years—the “dual direction” in the 90’s, the birth of 211, the influx of nonprofits that encouraged United Ways to move to a Collective Impact model, the importance of VITA to the communities I’ve served, and so many more.
In the end, what I have taken away from my experiences are:
y It’s all about relationships: asking, showing impact, and thanking people and companies.
y Treat staff and board members nicely and maintain strong communication. y Diversify fundraising to focus on companies, individuals, and affinity groups. y Set Bold Goals and fund in a Collective Impact manner. y The United Way system brings tremendous value during disasters. y There is great need for equity and diversity, which must be elevated
for Boards and staff. y And finally, don’t sweat the small stuff as a CEO. Every challenge
has answers!
There has never been a dull moment as a CEO with United Way. I’ve loved every minute but look forward to the Peace Corps and immersing myself in a new culture, wherever that may be.
I have valued the many relationships with United Way employees all over the United States and look forward to staying in touch through UWRA. My home email is [email protected]. Please add me to your contact list and Linkedin!
ALICE THACKER (NORMAN, OK)I was the Executive Director for a small United Way in Norman, Oklahoma when I joined the United Way network in 1985. Through the talent of volunteers, our United Way was nationally recognized, and I was subsequently hired as Small Cities Director for the Mid-America Region out of Chicago.
After a few years, I transferred to Dallas to be the South Central Regional Director. I enjoyed my role consulting on behalf of United Way of America and advocating for all the smaller cities. I learned along the way that major United Ways and State Associations were important to the development of mid- and smaller size United Ways. Local United Ways could inspire and support their neighbors with hands-on assistance, while UWA provided a regional network of opportunities and national training that was exceptional. We developed a partnership that supported each other through many changes.
I later transitioned to United Way Worldwide as Vice President of Field Service (and other roles, as needed). I retired in 2001 to be closer to my triplet grandchildren.
Like so many of my colleagues, my heart was still committed to helping others and my calendar filled quickly. I served on a United Way committee and was active in front-line support of community services. These days, I enjoy my involvement as an Elder in my church. I have been on our Mission outreach committee for 10 years.
UWRA is an amazing group of inspiring United Way professionals. I enjoy rehashing old memories and making new ones. I don’t want to live in the past, but I do enjoy cherishing the good times.And maybe, just maybe, I’ll still have time to enjoy new experiences.
Living in a university community, I have access to lifelong learning that I didn’t have while focused on my career. After all, retirement is just another turn in the road. As Yogi Berra said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.”
UWRA MEMBERS MAKING CONNECTIONS. MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
MEMBER RECOLLECTIONS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERSMichael Barndollar (Albuquerque, NM)
Elizabeth Barron (Waterville, ME)
Lynne Bosley (Bowling Green, KY)
Jim Cieslar (Greenville, NC)
Brenda Episcopo (Cohoes, NY)
Ann Fox (Fleetwood, PA)
Irv Katz (Falls Church, VA)
Brook Manville (Bethesda, MD)
Bob Morgan (East Aurora, NY)
David Nicole (Fort Wayne, IN)
Diana Phillips (Taylor, TX)
Jack Prater (Mequon, WI)
UWRA NEWSLETTER 7
We are pleased to share member recollections and updates.
Please email [email protected] if you have a memory or an update to
share—particularly as we acknowledge the 30th anniversary of UWRA.MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
MEMBER BENEFITS
Attend the UWRA Member Gathering in Louisville, Kentucky (Sep 21 – 25)
Receive the UWRA Updates newsletter, published three times each year
Join the UWRA Members group on Workplace (https://fb.me/g/2tCM9O8C4/wx2j6TVA)
Receive daily Breakfast emails from United Way Worldwide
Access United Way Online (UWO)
Search job postings across the United Way network
Volunteer for coaching, mentoring, and specialized consultative support for United Ways
BERNIE HYMAN (CARY, NC)My United Way career spanned 30 years and began in St.Paul, Minnesota. It included executive positions in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. When it comes to UWRA, I was there almost from the beginning. I served for 15 years as a Board member, including two years as Board Chair. I may be most well known as the co-host and program developer for the annual Wildacres gatherings, as one of the point persons for building UWRA’s endowment, and as an instructor at the National Academy for Volunteerism (UWA) for 21 years.
After retiring from United Way, I became a member of the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a position I held for 12 years. These days, I have turned my focus to the arts community, which is something I’ve enjoyed on the sidelines all my adult life. I served as Board member of the Gregg Museum of Art and Design at North Carolina State University for 6 years, including two as President. Working with people from throughout the Raleigh area and beyond, I participated in the development of a new Gregg Museum, which opened in August of 2018. This work has given me more pleasure than I can describe. People from every state and beyond have already visited the museum. On a personal note, the museum will also house our own collection of pottery. Currently, I am a member of The Friends of the Arts NC State Board of Advisors for all six arts programs at NC State University.
Almost 3 years ago, my wife, Patricia, and I moved into a retirement community in Cary and we were soon recruited for various committees. Our new setting gives us an opportunity to meet new people from very interesting and varied backgrounds. I am regularly reminded that who we were is not nearly as important as who we are now. We continue to learn and grow.
IRV KATZ (FALLS CHURCH, VA)I began my career at a historic settlement house in Indianapolis and eventually became the CEO of the United Way of Central Indiana (Indianapolis and environs). After a Senior Vice President role at United Way of America, I followed my passion for the human service sector to a CEO role with the National Human Services Assembly, where I spent the next 15 years. In 2015, I transitioned from a single full-time job to an encore career as a consultant, a faculty advisor in the USC School of Social Work, and now, a Senior Fellow at Generations United. My current role involves developing partnerships that weave intergenerational considerations and strategies into local community planning. It is among the most fulfilling work I’ve done in my career.
For anyone interested in learning more, GU just released its 2019 report on the State of Grandfamilies (https://www.gu.org/resources/a-place-to-call-home-building-affordable-housing-for-grandfamilies/).
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CONSIDER ADDING THESE TITLES TO YOUR WINTER READING LIST
This Chair Rocks A Manifesto Against AgeismFrom childhood on, we’re barraged by messages that it’s sad to be old. That wrinkles are embarrassing, and old people useless. Author and activist Ashton Applewhite believed them too—until she realized where this prejudice comes from and the damage it does. Lively, funny, and deeply researched, This Chair Rocks traces Applewhite’s journey from apprehensive boomer to pro-aging radical, and in the process debunks myth after myth about late life. The book explains the roots of ageism—in history and in our own age denial—and how it divides and debases, examines how ageist myths and stereotypes cripple the way our brains and bodies function, looks at ageism in the workplace and the bedroom, exposes the cost of the all-American myth of independence, critiques the portrayal of olders as burdens to society, describes what an all-age-friendly world would look like, and concludes with a rousing call to action. Whether you’re older or hoping to get there, this book will shake you by the shoulders, cheer you up, make you mad, and change the way you see the rest of your life.
...continued from cover story
5. STRENGTHEN 2-1-1’S ROLE AS A RESOURCE FOR OLDER ADULTS 2-1-1 serves as an important local resource for older adults in many communities. However, awareness is still limited, aggregate call data from older adults is largely unavailable, and few communities have a dedicated 2-1-1 senior resource navigator. UWRA and 2-1-1 staff at UWW are exploring further opportunities for collaboration.
6. EXPAND VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT United Way has a long tradition of volunteer engagement, which could be mobilized even more to help older adults remain in their homes and communities. For example, in 2019, UWW awarded several micro-grants to local United Ways to focus Day of Caring activities on older adults.
Those initiatives may serve as examples for other communities. Likewise, many United Ways are launching affinity groups for pre-/retirees who are interested in continuing their involvement with United Way through volunteer service in their communities. More of these initiatives could be directed toward education and service opportunities to promote healthy aging.
This phase of the grant-funded project is now complete. The study provided rich knowledge about the primary factors contributing to healthy aging, revealed key trends across the field of aging, and identified multiple opportunities for the United Way network to make a significant impact on the lives of older adults. UWRA will continue to collaborate with local United Ways and United Way Worldwide to champion these efforts.
Bolder Making the Most of Our Longer Lives The time has come to cast off prejudices and to blur the lines of what is possible and permissible at every stage of life. In other words: we need to learn to re-imagine our approach to later life. Emboldening ourselves in older age demands big structural changes. For a start, we will have to tear up the old script that locks us into devoting the early part of our life to education, the middle chunk to working and raising kids, and whatever is left over at the end to leisure. In an age-inappropriate world, these silos will dissolve. We'll embrace the idea that we can carry on learning from start to finish; that we can work less and devote more time to family, leisure, and giving back to our communities in our middle years; and that we can remain active and engaged in our later years.
Carl Honoré has travelled the globe speaking to influential figures who are bucking preconceived notions of age, whether at work or in their personal lives. He looks at the cultural, medical, and technological developments that are opening new possibilities for us all. Bolder is a radical re-think of our approach to everything from education, healthcare and work, to design, relationships and politics. An essential and inspiring read for everyone interested in our collective future.
UWRA NEWSLETTER 9
AMPLIFYING UNITED WAY’S RACE EQUITY MOVEMENTMarveen Hart, UWRA Member and Director, Diversity & Inclusion for United Way Worldwide
In August of this year, United Way Worldwide hosted 225 participants from across the network at the 2019 United Way Equity Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event provided a forum for UWW and the 72 local United Ways represented to amplify the achievements and strategic breakthroughs of the race equity movement in the network. It was an opportunity for attendees to hear from practitioners in the equity space and learn from one another to accelerate their work.
Highlights from the Equity Summit include thoughtful perspectives from guest speakers, including keynotes by Edgar Villanueva (author of Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance) and Deborah Alvarez-Rodriguez (Founder and CEO, Seam Innovation). The Summit also featured several panels including United Way senior leaders driving equity work in their organizations, African American philanthropists and foundation leaders, and corporate partners.
Learning sessions included perspectives from local United Ways outlining how they are taking on this work in different capacities and strategic first steps for equity work from the Interaction Institute for Social Change.
The following panels were featured on the Summit’s general session stage:
y Corporate partners from Ernst & Young, Proctor & Gamble, and Dave & Buster’s who discussed how racial equity fits into their values as businesses.
y Senior leaders throughout the United Way network who shared how they are advancing racial equity within their organizations.
y African American philanthropic leaders Marcus Brown (Entergy Corporation), Bruce Carter (Church Mutual Insurance Company), and Linda Wilson (Fund II Foundation) who gave context for the long history of giving in the African American community and how to best engage with high net worth individuals.
Visit United Way Online (https://online.unitedway.org/equitysummit19_overview) to view full-length videos of the plenary speakers, breakout session presentations, and poster samples from participating United Ways. UWRA members are also invited to join ongoing conversations in the UW Diversity, Equity & Inclusion group on Workplace (https://unitedway.workplace.com/groups/UWDiversityEquityandInclusion/).
BUILD SHARED LANGUAGE(Adapted from UWW’s Living United: A Guide for Becoming a More Equitable Organization)
Building a shared understanding of core concepts is essential to working explicitly on race, equity and inclusion. Here are a few important concepts to get started.
RACE1
A socially constructed way of grouping people based on skin color and other apparent physical differences, which has no genetic or scientific basis. The ideology of race has become embedded in our identities, institutions and culture, and is used as a basis for discrimination and domination.2
EQUITYEquity is the intentional inclusion of everyone in society. Equity is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer determine socioeconomic, education and health outcomes.
INCLUSION3
A value and practice of ensuring that people feel they belong and their input is valued by the whole (group, organization, society, or system), particularly regarding decisions that affect their lives.
EQUITY-MINDEDNESSBeing willing and able to:
y Call attention to patterns of inequitable outcomes y Critically reassess own practices y Demonstrate race-consciousness y Understand the social and historical context of exclusionary
practices4
1Adapted from Race: The Power of an Illusion. San Francisco: California Newsreel, 2003.2Omi, M. & Winant, H. (1994). Racial formation in the United States: From the 1960s to the 1990s. New York and London: Routlege as quoted in Seven Steps to Embrace Race Equity, Annie E. Casey Foundation3Adapted from The Equity and Inclusion Campaign.4Adapted from What is Equity-Mindedness, Center for Urban Education, University of Southern California, https://cue.usc.edu/equity/equity-mindedness/.
10 UWRA.org
2019 UWRA LEADERSHIP GIVING CIRCLE As of 12/15/2019
BENEFACTOR MEMBERS $2,500+Carl Zapora
$1,000-$2,499Mike CabatSusan DunnJ. Thomas LaingEd Rivera
$500 - $999 Deborah BayleTom BrownDenise DurelSusan Gilmore
Ralph GregoryJanet JacksonEd John & Joyce WilburMildred Keeys
Amber KelleherMichael McLarneyDennis MurphyDonald Sanders
Judith Tieman BirdJoe & Terry TolanMadeleine & Douglas Warns
Howard E. CotnerHoward E. Cotner passed away August 17, 2019, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 92.
Howard was born on May 23, 1927, in Elizabeth, Indiana, and received his MSW degree from Ohio State University. He was a Lieutenant in the Navy Reserves.
Howard served 20 years as Executive Director of the Tulsa Area United Way, retiring from that position in 1987. He previously served as Executive Director of the United Fund in Fargo, North Dakota, and was also affiliated with United Fund organizations in Wilmington, NC and Savannah, GA.
Howard was a member of the local Retired Military Officers, the American Legion, and the First Presbyterian Church of Sand Springs. He was an active volunteer in his early retirement years, donating his time to the Tulsa Library and other organizations. Gardening was always a favorite hobby of his. Most recently, he could be found exercising frequently at the CASE Community Center in Sand Springs and spending time with family and friends.
REMEMBERING FRIENDS
Mark FurstMark Furst, former CEO of United Way of Central Maryland (Baltimore), died on November 27th of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 64.
Mark pivoted from a successful career in banking to philanthropy, where he made family stability a hallmark of his service. He was president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland for 12 years until he left in 2016 to lead external relations for Kennedy Krieger.
Mark’s team at United Way called him an “unwavering moral compass.” They said his leadership was transformative and his drive to create a better Maryland was infectious. Mark was honored in September with the Volunteer of a Lifetime award at the United Way of Central Maryland’s annual Tocqueville Society event.
According to Mark’s family, he enjoyed fast cars, listening to the Beatles, taking pictures, and traveling with a beloved group of friends. He was a sharp dresser and fitness buff who participated in spinning classes and could even do a split well into his 60s.
Mark was married to his lifelong sweetheart, Sandy, for almost 40 years. They have two daughters.
(adapted from Baltimore Sun article, 11/28/19)
Henry J MonacoHenry J Monaco, 81, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.
Henry graduated from Fordham University in Bronx, NY. He went to have a successful career with United Way for over 30 years, including roles with United Way in Williamsburg, PA, Peoria, IL, Flint, MI, and finally in Milwaukee, WI, where he was the President/CEO until his retirement in 1999.
Henry’s love for United Way and his commitment to service poured over into advancing the work of UWRA. During his tenure on the UWRA Board, Henry served as Board Chair, led numerous committees, directed a strategic plan update, and more. In his retirement, Henry continued to be active in the community, teaching at Alverno College and assisting at Interfaith and Alzheimer Associations
Many remember Henry as a man of integrity and passion, someone who had the gift of grace and an ability to connect with every person he encountered. Henry’s former colleagues describe him as someone whose mind was always searching for a better way to involve others and achieve greater goals. He modeled a rare ability to transform humanitarian dreams into reality, changing the lives of so many.
PATRON MEMBERS $250 - $499Edward Allard, IIIDeborah Mariner AllsopAnna BabinMeg BaxterK. Michael BenzEugene BerresMaria Chavez-Wilcox
Robert & Sharron CorneliusBarbara CroninRalph DiSantoBarbara EdmondKenneth EuwemaJack R. EvansWinston Faircloth
Deborah FosterRoger FrickThelma GarzaRich Grigos Frank HagelJoe HaggertyTeresa Hall Bartels
Robert HinesConnie HodgesBarbara (Perry) KaplinskyDavid LeeMyron LinerWilliam MillsJim Morrison
H. Lovell MoselyEdward O’BrienJoseph PearsonBeverly PrueterGlenn RichterLauren SegalPatricia Smith
James TaylorAlice ThackerTom TorontoClaude TownsendJeffrey WilcoxGarth Winckler
UWRA NEWSLETTER 11
In 2019, Dan and Kathleen Dunne fulfilled a $10,000 pledge to the UWRA endowment, establishing a named fund in their honor.
The Dunnes join the company of highly respected named fund donors Dick and Mary Lu Aft, Tom and Carol Brown, and Alan and Selma Cooper. The Browns achieved an additional milestone this year by fulfilling their endowment pledge of $15,000.
As an advisor in planned giving and endowments, Dan fully understands the opportunity for donors to extend support beyond their lifetimes through contributions to an organization’s endowment. It takes twenty-five times the amount of an annual gift to establish a legacy contribution. UWRA’s named fund threshold is $10,000, and contributions can be made in any amount over an extended period of time.
When asked why he and his wife committed to establishing a named endowment fund for UWRA, Dan replied, “I’ve experienced first-hand the difference it makes when UWRA members voluntarily provide personal attention to help local United Way staff advance their mission. UWRA facilitates those connections, and it was important for us to help sustain an organization serving in that capacity.”
Dan enjoyed a 40+ year career with United Way, including executive roles for United Ways in Alabama and North Carolina. Following his retirement in 2008, he spent the next five years consulting for United Way and other nonprofits, mostly on Tocqueville and planned giving. Kathleen spent her career in education and religious education. Dan and Kathleen live in El Dorado Hills, California. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren in California and Maryland.
UWRA ANNOUNCES LATEST NAMED ENDOWMENT FUND FROM DAN & KATHLEEN DUNNE
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ENDOWING YOUR LEADERSHIP GIFT TO UWRA?Many UWRA members have chosen to acknowledge their United Way career by making an endowment contribution to UWRA. It only takes twenty-five times the amount of your annual gift to establish a legacy contribution and help sustain the future of the organization. Contributions can be made in any amount over an extended period of time.
Contact [email protected] for more information about UWRA’s endowment, or simply direct a contribution to:
UWRA - Gordon Berg Endowment Fund
c/o Foundation for the Carolinas
220 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
IN MEMORIAMPlease visit the UWRA Memorial Wall at http://www.uwra.org/acknowledgements
to view a recent list of gifts made to UWRA to honor colleagues, friends, and family from the United Way community.
LEADERSHIP MEMBERS $100 - $249Shannon AbitbolDick AftCarol AquinoElizabeth BaierGerald BeggsBud BiscardoKerry BlumeEugene BlytherEleanor L. BrilliantCecilia BroderJack BrooksEleanor BrownWarren BurtKay BurtzloffJoseph CapitaSarah CarusoViney ChandlerBenton Clark
W. Sloan CoatsBonnie ColeMary Steele CollinsLeo CorneliusJack CostelloGreg CottBobbie CrequeDonald CustisRick DavidKaren DavieDale DePoyJohn DiCesarePaul DidierEva DillardGary DollarDawson DowtyDaniel J. DunneMichael Durkin
Cynthia EberhartSusan C. EckertBrenda EpiscopoMonica EstabrookeEllen EvansScott FergusonRobert Ferriday IIIMary FogartyAnn FoxJatrice Martel GaiterJohn GeistPat Gobble FeketeTheodore GrangerMike GreenPhil GrzewinskiSusan HagerSharon HamiltonPatrick Hanrahan
Brian HassettWinifred HeltonKathleen V. HemmeschTed HendryBette HoffmanJack HolmesLeslie Ann HowardMike HughesAnne HuntBernard HymanRudolph JacksonJanet JokischTy JoubertFrank KarrIrv KatzDiana KellyKenneth KemerlingDavid Kennedy
Michael KintSharon KishBill KitsonElizabeth KnowlesRobert KulinskiToni Lanford-FergusonCarlos E. LeeBrook ManvilleDebbie MasonSara MattaDon MattiseTish McCutchenWilliam McQueenNed MontgomeryTerry MoranBob Morgan Christopher NelsonRichard O’Brien
Elizabeth O’MaraJenny PalazioJudy QuinlanRob RainsRobert ReifsnyderBill RobinsonJerry RuaneRussy SumariwallaSue SuterDirk Van Den BoschJames van der KlokMaria VizcarrondoLyanne Lindo WassermannCarole M. WatsonGeorge WilkinsonRoger WoodRobert WoodsAlex Young
UWRA’S NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Dick & Mary Lu AftTom & Carol Brown
Alan & Selma CooperDan & Kathleen Dunne
12 UWRA.org
“They gave me a rocking chair when I retired, but I don’t know when I’ll have the time to take the lessons that came with it.” Baton Rouge United Way legend Myron Falk’s wit was based on his commitment to continue as a local and national United Way volunteer beyond his years as an employee. So it has been for hundreds of United Way professionals whose paid service ranged from months to decades.
“Once you’ve held a position in United Way, you don’t want to let go.” That was the perspective of UWRA founders Gordon Berg and Chuck Devine. In 1989, they led a discussion among United Way colleagues to consider ways to continue to serve the system once they retired or moved into new career pursuits. [Berg left United Way to become the CEO of his community foundation; Devine devoted his post-retirement years to interim United Way presidencies and volunteer consultation on behalf of United Way.]
Thus, the idea for UWRA was born to connect retirees and alumni with one another and provide opportunities to continue to “Live United.” UWRA was incorporated in 1990 to promote the continued involvement of United Way professionals.
When Joan Dixon retired from the United Way of America staff, she walked the talk of UWRA members by volunteering to serve as UWRA’s first CEO. Eventually, UWRA’s budget grew to support paid staff leadership, and distinguished professionals followed in her footsteps: Lyanne Wasserman, Tricia Smith, and current President Amber Kelleher. Nearly two dozen former United Way professionals have chaired UWRA’s Board of Directors, beginning with co-founder and retiree Chuck Devine to today’s United Way alumnus Carl Zapora.
Early member surveys identified common goals for UWRA:
y Enabling retirees to keep abreast of current events and issues in the United Way field.
y Providing periodic opportunities to reunite and socialize with one another.
y Leveraging members’ time and talents to support the United Way network.
United Way of America Vice President Elizabeth Kelly wisely suggested that UWRA members could help extend national office services to local United Ways. Over the years, UWRA members have contributed countless hours to benefit their United Way colleagues. Advisory services and programming have concentrated in several areas, including crisis response assistance, engaging retirees as donors and volunteers, executive search support, planned giving consultation, public policy initiatives, and filling interim leadership roles with local United Ways.
Today, 30 years from its inception, UWRA continues to serve hundreds of current and former United Way professionals through fulfillment of its mission to Make Connections and Make a Difference. In the spirit of UWRA founders, they “haven’t let go.” They have chosen to STAY UNITED!
CONTACT US
Call 1-800-892-2757 x624
Email [email protected]
Workplacehttps.unitedway.facebook.com
Websitewww.uwra.org
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF UWRADick Aft, UWRA Historian and Emeritus Board Member
1989 Idea for UWRA socialized by Gordon Berg & Chuck Devine
1990 UWRA incorporated; governance structure established; first UPDATES newsletter
1991 Beginning application of members’ support to local United Ways
1996 Institution of “Wildacres” as annual UWRA Gathering
2000 Launch of UWRA.org website
2001 Mentoring, planned giving consultation, and crisis advisory services offered
2002 UWRA members serve in interim positions in UW organizations
2005 Nationwide kickoff of UWRA endowment fund in honor of Gordon Berg
2007 Initiation of retirement planning program
2009 Online mentoring program with UWW
2011 Webinar series: Planning for Retirement
2014 1:1 coaching with UWs on endowment and planned giving growth
2016 Role-play video series: Asking for Gifts
2018 Launch of online platform for member engagement and United Way history
2019 Grant-funded landscape review of aging in place practices and programs
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
This timeline captures UWRA highlights throughout the years: