2010 CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS’ GUIDE HOW TO INSPIRE YOUR WORKPLACE TO “LIVE UNITED”

AWARD WINNERS FROM LAST YEAR’S CAMPAIGN GATHERED AT DER DUTCHMAN TO CELEBRATE THEIR ACCOMPISHMENTS. TOGETHER, WE RAISED MORE THAN $843,000 FOR OUR COMMUNITY! United Way of Union County

www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org 232 North Main Street, Suite UW P.O. Box 145 Dear Campaign Coordinators, Marysville, Ohio 43040 (937) 644-8381 or (877) 644-8381 August 2010, FAX: (937) 303-4168

It is with great thanks and admiration that I welcome you to the 2010 United Way campaign.

With great thanks because you and your workplace are joining our mission to bring neighbors and resources together to improve lives in Union County. We could not do our work without your support. The donations and corporate matches raised during these workplace campaigns account for roughly 90% of United Way’s annual income. More individuals and more businesses choose to make their charitable impact through United Way than any other local non-profit organization. We thank you for entrusting your hard-earned dollars with us.

It is with great admiration that I welcome you because I know the challenge you are personally undertaking will not be easy. Nor is it a duty to be taken lightly. It is an honor to lead the United Way campaign at your workplace. That’s because this project will impact roughly 24,000 Union County residents who use the programs and services supported by United Way. Remember as you go about your campaign efforts the faces and stories we share with you today. These are our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. The lives you impact are not halfway around the world. They’re just around the corner.

This guide we’ve prepared is designed to provide you with proven ideas and strategies for conducting a successful, fun campaign in your workplace. Please take them to heart. Additional copies for your campaign teams are available on CD and our website at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org.

But YOU are our most valuable resource. It’s YOUR enthusiasm and energy that will make the 2010 campaign a success. You believe in us. And we believe in you. Please don’t hesitate to call on any of the United Way staff or volunteers who can provide additional guidance or help along the way of your campaign process. Together, we can accomplish great things this fall as we share with everyone the way to “LIVE UNITED!”

Sincerely,

Dave Bezusko Campaign & PR Director

Bringing neighbors and resources together, improving lives. WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN PLANNING SHEET Please complete this form by FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3 and return to United Way via fax at (937) 303-4168 or e-mail to [email protected].

Your Name: ______Workplace: ______

Phone: ______E-mail: ______

1. BECOME AN INFORMED VOLUNTEER. Name one new thing you’ve learned about United Way in the last week.

______

2. GET HELP. List the people, including management, you’ve recruited to help with your campaign. (Use back if necessary.)

Management: ______E-mail: ______

Co-worker: ______E-mail: ______

3. IT’S ALL MATERIAL. Check here if you have all of the campaign supplies that you need. _____ Yes _____ No If no, what additional materials or extras do you need? ______

4. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE ASK? Explain how associates will be given their pledge forms and how they’ll be asked to turn them in.

______

5. BEST PRACTICES. Which of the following best practices do you plan to use in your campaign? _____ United Way presentation (Recommended. Please call Dave Bezusko at 937-644-8381 to schedule.) _____ E-mail campaign _____ United Way Agency Fair _____ “Fun”-raiser (If so, what?) ______Prizes/incentives for participation (If so, what?) ______Upper management endorsement/participation

6. SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS. Tentative campaign dates (Please plan to complete your campaign by Friday November 19. The main pledge form solicitation period should last no longer than one or two weeks.) Start: _____/_____/2010 End: _____/_____/2010

2009 Results 2010 Goal 2010 Results Number of Employees

Dollars Raised

Number of Donors

Participation Rate (via Pledge Form only)

Average Gift

Number of Pillar Society Members ($500 or more)

Corporate Gift. Check one: _____ Set amount: $______Percentage of Associate Giving: ______% _____ Not applicable Corporate/workplace gift(s) to Online Auction: ______

7. DON’T FORGET TO SAY THANKS. Explain how you will help us thank those who make a gift.

______

8. REPORTING RESULTS. Use your United Way reporting envelope to audit pledge forms and monies before submitting. FUNDED PARTNERS This is who we’re raising money for.

American Red Cross Union County Chapter (937) 642-6651 North Union Personal Needs Pantry (740) 943-3111 www.unioncountyarc.org http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/NUSDPersonalNeedsPantry.shtml Armed forces emergency services, disaster services, Personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and needs not covered bloodmobiles, health & safety services, CPR, first aid. by food stamps for residents of North Union School District.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Union County (937) 642-2157 Plain City Free Clinic (614) 873-8021 www.marysville-ohio.com/bbbs http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/PlainCityFreeClinic.shtml Matches adults with children in long and short-term mentoring Free, non-emergency health care and prescription medication for relationships. those living in the Jonathan Alder and Fairbanks School Districts.

Boy Scouts Simon Kenton Council (614) 436-7200 Pleasant Valley Seniors (614) 873-8870 www.skcbsa.org http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/PleasantValleySeniors.shtml Leadership and character building skills for boys participating in Educational and recreational opportunities and services for Plain the Scouting Program. City area senior citizens.

Child Care Network (937) 644-4453 Richwood Civic Center (740) 943-2310 www.emarysville.com/child-care-network www.richwoodciviccenter.com Financial aid for child care and free referrals to certified providers Educational and recreational opportunities and services for for all Union County residents. Richwood area senior citizens.

Consolidated Care Inc. (937) 644-9192 Speech, Language, & Hearing (937) 644-6115 ext. 2282 www.ccibhp.com www.memorialhosp.org/services/specialty_details2.asp?ID=Speech and Hearing Therapy North Star Youth Center, youth drug & alcohol prevention, child Therapy and rehabilitation for patients with communications assault prevention, suicide support group. disorders at Memorial Hospital of Union County.

Community and Seasoned Citizens (937) 644-9801 The Salvation Army (937) 645-2010 http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/CommunityAndSeasonedCitizens.shtml http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/Salvation%20Army.htm Recreational, social, and educational opportunities for individuals Homeless Prevention Program assists those in danger of losing 50 years of age or older in Union County. their housing or facing utility shut-off.

Community Services Association Turning Point 1 (800) 232-6505 www.ucnowrongdoor.com www.turningpoint6.com Network of non-profit, governmental, and for-profit social service Emergency shelter and support for victims of domestic violence, providers. Meets monthly, maintains online directory. including group meetings and legal advocacy.

Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (614) 487-8101 Union County Cancer Society (937) 642-3910 www.gsohiosheartland.org www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/UnionCountyCancerSociety.shtml Leadership and character building skills for girls with more than Financial support and reimbursement for cancer patients and their 500 Union County youth participating in the Scouting Program. families for treatments, transportation, equipment, and more. Legal Aid Society (888) 301-2411 Union County Family YMCA (937) 578-4250 www.columbuslegalaid.org www.unioncountyymca.org Legal counsel and advice for low-income residents in areas of Scholarships for Y services, including summer camps, aquatics, family law, housing, consumer rights, and more. sports, fitness, gymnastics and other activities for youth and teens. Loving Care Hospice (937) 644-1928 Union County Personal Needs Pantry www.lovingcare.us www.personalneedspantry.com Short-term respite, bereavement, and in-home care for terminally Personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and everyday needs not ill patients and their families. covered by food stamps.

Marion Shelter Program (740) 387-4550 Special Union County Special Needs Council (937) 642-6911 www.themarionshelter.com Needs www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/UnionCountySpecialNeeds.shtml Emergency short-term homeless shelter for individuals and Council Financial assistance for prescription medication, dental help, and families, structured environment for learning life skills. other needs.

Marysville Area Ministerial Association (937) 578-8855 Windsor & Community Seniors (937) 644-8464 http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/programsandservices.shtml www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/Windsor&CommunitySeniors.shtml Compassion services coordinating the following: W Educational and recreational opportunities and services for Marysville Food Pantry (937) 644-3248 Marysville area senior citizens. Milford Center Food Pantry (937) 349-3741 Plain City Food Pantry (614) 733-0909 Wings Enrichment Center (937) 642-9555 Richwood Emergency Assistance Program (740) 943-3130 http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/agencies/Wings%20Enrichment%20Center.shtml Union County Emergency Assistance Program (937) 645-4100 ext. 4471 An informal setting for mental health consumers to meet, discuss, and learn new skills on the road to recovery. Memorial Meals (937) 578-2445 www.memorialhosp.org/services/specialty_details2.asp?ID=Mobile Meals www.memorialhosp.org/services/specialty_details2.asp?ID=Community Meals In-home meal delivery to homebound residents (“meals-on- wheels”); lunches served at four gathering sites in Union County.

Mental Health America of Union County (937) 642-0935 www.nmha.org Support for those battling depression and other mental health issues. Local, 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-800-731-5577. www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org 1. BECOME AN INFORMED VOLUNTEER KNOW YOUR UNITED WAY

United Way volunteers display campaign totals at last year’s Campaign Awards Banquet. From left to right: Mary Ann Conley, Marysville Schools; Laurie Whittington, Memorial Hospital/Gables at Green Pastures; Sheriff Rocky Nelson, Union County Sheriff’s Office; Mike Heifner, Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Teej Cummins, Huntington; Denise Grow, Memorial Hospital; Jim Cox, McCarthy & Cox; and Paul Jaeb, Union Rural Electric.

The more you know about what you’re raising money  Giving to United Way through workplace campaigns has been a Union County tradition since 1958. for, the more impassioned you will become and the  Only 14 communities of 50,000 or less raise more money for more credible you will be with co-workers. Some fast their local United Way than do the people of Union County. facts:  Money raised here stays here to work in Union County.  United Way programs serve about 24,000 Union County  United Way of Union County is an independent and autonomous residents. organization, a member of United Way Worldwide, NOT a  United Way meets all 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability chapter. established by the Better Business Bureau.  It is governed by a local board of volunteers who make all  82 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programming. funding decisions for our community. The BBB standard is 65 cents or more.  It’s our mission to bring neighbors and resources together to  Visit www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org for more information. improve lives in Union County. 2. GET HELP

DON’T FLY SOLO Participation of upper management is essential for a successful campaign. We already have their support, or we wouldn't be conducting a campaign. Ask them to personally endorse it with a personal letter or speech to staff members. Ask them to approve incentives to be used for the campaign.

Don’t feel like you have to “go it alone.” Find a friend at work who is willing and able to help you co-chair

The Campaign Coordinators at Cannizzaro Bridges Jillisky & Streng run a your campaign efforts. If your workplace has multiple textbook campaign. departments or locations spread around town (like a 1. Each partner in the firm (equivalent of upper management) is solicited for and gives a Pillar Society-level gift. school district), consider recruiting helpers from each 2. One or two “fun-raisers” are conducted to raise awareness about the campaign, but not too much to take the focus off pledge forms. department to serve on a committee. Find people who 3. All associates are given the opportunity to give by receiving a pledge form. are well-liked and respected by co-workers. 3. IT’S ALL MATERIAL - ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES

 BROCHURES. It’s important to make sure that everyone in the workplace is given an informational brochure and pledge form so they can make an educated decision about giving.

 PLEDGE FORMS. Donors may designate to one of four Impact Areas, a specific Member Agency, or

another community provided the pledge is at least Pledge forms, posters, thermometers, brochures. We have all the supplies $50. Make sure to return the top copy to United you need to conduct your campaign. Way, and the yellow copy to your payroll department so that deductions may be made. EXTRAS! EXTRAS!  POSTERS. Don’t be shy. Take extras and plaster the walls of your  REPORTING ENVELOPE. PLEASE return all workplace the week BEFORE your campaign. Hang them in high- traffic areas where staff, customers, and vendors can see them. completed pledge forms, checks, and monetary They show local volunteers in action! We can even customize donations in this envelope. FILL OUT THE FORM, posters showing co-workers volunteering for United Way! Ask Dave for more details (937-644-8381 ext. 2) which helps you “audit” your totals.  PENS. Have them at your special events or presentations.  STICKERS. Perfect for employee ID badges, give to all who pledge.  THERMOMETER. Track your campaign’s progress.  A BUDGET? Depending on your workplace, you  DON’T SEE IT HERE? Log on to www.unitedwaystore.com for more may have some money to use for incentives, United Way-specific items and ideas that you can use for your campaign. prizes, and events.

4. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE “THE ASK?”

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE

How do you plan to ask each individual associate to give to United Way? Think about how effective your “point-of-contact,” moment is going to be? Will you REALLY, blatantly, obviously, be asking each person to give to United Way? How seriously will each associate United Way volunteer Campaign Chair Jim Cox makes a presentation. consider making a gift when they first see their pledge A face-to-face solicitation, be it from a United Way presentation or a co- worker’s encouragement is the most effective way to “make the ask.” form? Will they even see the pledge form?

DID YOU KNOW? People give to people. The most effective “asks” include an educational piece along with the human The number one reason why people do not give to United Way is because they were not asked! That’s why we are element, the personal touch of a story, a presentation, asking YOU to make sure EVERY person at your workplace an e-mail, or a letter from you or upper management, returns a completed pledge form, even if they’re not giving explaining why their gift is needed. It’s best not to just this year—to ensure that we did OUR job of asking them. leave a pledge form on someone’s desk. 5. BEST PRACTICES

HOW TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION Especially if giving rates are below 30%

 A 10-15 minute presentation by United Way at already scheduled group meetings is the number one way to raise awareness, educate, inform, and inspire your associates. These can be coordinated through the United Way office by calling 644-8381. We can do multiple presentations during any shift at any area workplace.

 Have a special event or “fun”-raiser to supplement Marysville Schools turned in the best campaign increase of the DECADE last year, doubling participation AND dollars raised from 2008 to 2009 (from your payroll deduction pledges, raise awareness, 167 donors to 322, and from $10,253 to $19,565. They did it by following and build camaraderie. Plenty of fun ideas appear the tips on this page. on the coming pages. employee orientation packet and allow new hires to complete a pledge form when they sign on.  Provide incentives and prizes. Sometimes, we all need a little dangling carrot to make us take action.  In lieu of or in addition to presentations, conduct an e-mail blitz throughout your campaign highlighting  FOOD ALWAYS DRAWS A CROWD. Provide the impact their United Way gifts make. Post refreshments at your United Way meetings. Coffee, United Way announcements and stories on bulletin doughnuts, or fruit for morning events; pizza at boards, in employee publications, and staff lounge.

lunch; cookies or brownies, at afternoon meetings.

 Communicate the support and endorsement of CEO/ HOW TO INCREASE AVERAGE GIFTS upper management. Especially if average gift is below $160.

 Establish friendly inter-department competitions,  Stress giving via payroll deduction. such as an office pizza party for the department that raises the most or has highest participation.  Encourage donors to increase their gift by 10% or $1 a week over last year’s pledge.  Have a pot-luck luncheon, office pool, or casual dress days to benefit United Way.  Promote giving at the Pillar Society level when and where appropriate.  Find an associate who has been personally affected by a United Way program (either in receiving  Promote the Community Care Card (all donors who assistance or in volunteering) who is willing to give $100 or more will receive one) and Pillar share his/her experience. Personal testimonials, Society levels of giving. especially from peers, go a LONG way.  Structure incentives so that they are based on  Incorporate United Way pledge forms into your new giving levels. 5. BEST PRACTICES, CONTINUED

Pancake “FUN”RAISERS IN THE WORKPLACE

 AUCTION. Encourage employees to donate unique items of value to United Way’s Online Auction.  BAKE-OFF CONTEST OR SALE. Who makes the best apple pie in your office? Who’s got the best chocolate chip cookie recipe? Find out by having a bake-off and charge a “donation” for others to sample the entries and judge the winners.  BABY PICTURE CONTEST. See who can match the most staff members with their baby pictures.  BENEFIT DANCE. Organize an outing with co- workers and spouses to enjoy music, dancing, and fun. Ask for a cover charge. Staff at the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities always have a good time with their United Way campaign. Last year, they had a  BOOK/DVD SALES. Have co-workers bring in their pancake-catching contest after a breakfast to benefit United Way. used books and videos and sell them to raise money for United Way.  BOWLING FOR DOLLARS. Recruit some teams and EASY INCENTIVES & PRIZES have a group bowling night, raising money via entry Sometimes, the best incentives or prizes don’t cost much. fees or per pin donations. Here are some low-cost/no-cost raffle items you can use if  CASUAL DRESS DAYS. Allow employees to dress you’re working on a shoestring budget. Get them from your down as incentives to make a pledge. If your vendors, your own company, or local businesses. business already has a casual or jeans day each week, try something different, such as Stupid Hat  Casual dress days  Extra paid vacation day Day, Outrageous Socks Day, or Favorite Sports  “Sleep-in” or “Long-lunch” passes Team Day.  T-shirts, sweatshirts, company gear  CHAIR MASSAGE. Bring in a massage therapist for a  Shares of company stock day and allow all those who submit a pledge form to  Special parking spot  Babysitting and restaurant gift certificates sit down to a relaxing chair massage.  Sports/Show/Movie tickets  Free oil changes  Lottery tickets  Prepaid phone card  Unused corporate frequent flier miles or hotel stays  Open/FREE vending machines

 CHILI COOKOFF CONTEST. Employees cook their favorite recipe and enter it into the contest. Participants pay to sample all of the entries.  COIN WAR. Have departments compete to see who can collect the most loose change for United Way. Collect it in large water jug. Winning department gets a pizza party and bragging rights!  COMEDY HOUR/AMERICAN IDOL CONTEST. Employees and their family members perform during this amateur hour!  COOKBOOK. Collect recipes and helpful household hints from employees and publish them with Help us promote our Online Auction, coming this October. Perhaps your workplace can make a donation to the catalog. Or maybe your co-workers pictures from staff members’ children. Sell them to have items of value to donate. Visit www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org. benefit United Way. 5. BEST PRACTICES, CONTINUED

MORE “FUN”RAISERS “FUN”RAISERS, BEWARE!

Sometimes, campaign organizers get so caught up in planning their “fun”-raiser that they forget about the most important aspect of the campaign: WORKING ON MAKING EFFECTIVE “ASKS,” ENCOURAGING GIVING THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTION, AND COLLECTING COMPLETED PLEDGE FORMS.

Also note that often, a person will buy $5 in raffle tickets to win an item and then NOT make a pledge via payroll deduction because they consider that to be their donation. Remember that “fun”-raisers should supplement the best practices that increase participation and average gifts.

 ICE CREAM SOCIAL. Perfect gathering idea for a potential United Way campaign presentation.  INTRAOFFICE MINI-GOLF. Set up a mini-golf

Organizers at Scotts Miracle-Gro held a Game Show, complete with teams course at the workplace, using slinkies, ramps, competing for prizes and questions that pertained to United Way. “water hazards,” sand traps. Enter teams and have a mini-golf outing just like one on a real course! “FUN”RAISING TIP  KEY TO THE TREASURE - All who submit a pledge Hold your “fun”raiser on a payday. That will maximize the form at a certain level get a key to unlock at likelihood of impulse buys and participation. treasure chest of prizes. Only one key opens the chest.  CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT. Charge an entry fee and  PET PHOTO CONTEST. Employees post a picture set up brackets like the NCAA Tournament. of their pet(s) and co-workers pay an amount to  CRAFT SALE. This allows employees a chance to vote for the cutest, ugliest, most unusual, and share their hobbies and creative talents. funniest.  DIET FOR UNITED WAY. Hold a contest to see who  PING PONG TOURNAMENT. Charge an entry fee can lose the most weight over a month-long and set up brackets like the NCAA Tournament. period. Each person pays a set amount for every pound lost or gained.  FASHION SHOW. Work with a local designer or store to showcase the new seasonal or children’s fashion line. Sell tickets to co-workers to watch other co-workers model the clothing.  FORMAL DRESS DAYS. Tired of casual Fridays? Dress to the nines instead with prizes for the fanciest dresses and snazziest tuxedos!  FRISBEE GOLF TOURNAMENT. New, free courses have been installed in Marysville and Plain City. Have a group outing and raise money just like a real golf outing.  GARAGE SALE. Have employees clean out their closets and set up a company-wide garage sale to benefit United Way.  GUESS THE NUMBER. Fill a jar with x-number pieces of candy, or some other item. For a Associates from Nestle Product Technology Center formed a team and came out to our annual Putt Fore Kids Mini-Golf Challenge. You could donation, co-workers can guess the correct number put a team together for an upcoming United Way event or help us to win the item. promote our existing fun-raisers throughout your workplace. 5. BEST PRACTICES, CONTINUED

MORE “FUN”RAISERS

DON’T BET ON IT! State of Ohio law prohibits United Ways from raising money via “Games of Chance.” That means it is illegal for you to conduct fundraisers such as casino nights, poker and card tournaments, sports office pools, and bingo for your United Way campaign.

Raffles for prizes and 50/50 raffles do not fall into this category and ARE allowed under Ohio law. Staff from Union Rural Electric got together for lunch at Mango’s Mexican If you have a question about a certain activity you’d like to Grill when the restaurant held a fundraiser day for United Way. Your plan, please call our office at (937) 644-8381, ext. 2. group can sometimes piggyback on events other workplaces are having for United Way.

 PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST. Plan a Halloween  SCRABBLE TOURNAMENT. Have a Scrabble theme and hold a pumpkin carving contest. Have tournament and the number of points you score different categories so that you can have multiple equals your pledge to United Way! winners. Departments could carve their own and  SNACK CART. Go from workspace to workspace enter them. with baked goods or candies.  RAFFLES. Have someone donate a prize (OSU  TAILGATE PARTY. Before the big OSU game, hold football tickets, a weekend getaway at Hocking a Friday tailgate party at lunch, complete with hot Hills, a car wash, pies) or raffle a paid day off. To dogs, chips, OSU music, etc. enter the raffle, you must turn in a pledge form  TEAM UP! Get co-workers, friends, and family to with a minimum pledge. participate as a group at an established United  SCAVENGER HUNT. Employees have to find Way fundraiser, such as the annual Game Day 5K unusual items around the office or the or the Putt FORE Kids Mini-Golf Challenge. neighborhood.  TRICYCLE RACES. Set up a relay course in the parking lot and have contestants race through while being timed. Observers can wage money on their favorites.  VENDING MACHINES. Raise the cost of vending machine items during your campaign with the difference going to United Way.  VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT. Set up three or four game systems in a small conference room. Employees pay-to-play with prizes going to the top scorer in each game.  VOLUNTEER. Organize a group from your workplace to participate in United Way’s annual Community Care Day. Check company policy regarding volunteer hours. Some will make corporate donations for hours volunteered by associates.

“FUN”RAISING TIP Staff from Memorial Hospital gathered together to form a volunteer team for Community Care Day 2010. Getting a group from your work- Make a completed pledge form required for “admission” to place to volunteer is fun, can help build camaraderie, grows awareness your “Fun”-raising event. to the needs in our community, and increase your company’s local in- volvement in the United Way campaign. 6. SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS

BE PREPARED

That’s the motto of the Boy Scouts (a United Way Member Agency, by the way). Develop a plan of action that ensures all associates are educated about what United Way does and are asked to give. The plan should include obtainable goals for your workplace to achieve and to measure the success of our efforts.

1. Understand your campaign’s Use Workplace untapped potential. Industrial Ceramic Products President R.C. Oberst establishes a campaign Campaign Planning Sheet included in this goal for his company each year, after reviewing the economic state of the company, donations from the previous year, and his personal belief in giving guide and find areas where improvement is back to the community. possible in your workplace campaign.

2. Set a participation goal. To ensure that associates do not feel pressured, it is not recommended to set a participation goal above 80%. Set a dollar amount goal by reviewing last year’s average gift and set a realistic monetary goal. Increasing participation will help you reach the monetary goal.

3. Set a goal of 100% ask. Make sure that everyone receives a pledge form. The most effective way is through distribution of pledge forms and brochures during United Way presentations at staff meetings.

4. Set a goal of 100% pledge form collection. This ensures that everyone has at least CONSIDERED a gift to United Way and made a decision. It does not mean that they should be forced to give. Set a deadline for forms to be returned and ensure that all pledge forms, even if not filled out, are collected.

5. Establish your campaign dates and THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE develop a realistic plan to achieve At the conclusion of the United Way campaign, the your goals. While the period of direct following criteria is used for determining corporate solicitation within your workplace should awards: typically take one week, (no more than two), GOLD—40% participation and/or average employee gift the campaign doesn’t just “happen.” Choose of $150 and/or a 100% corporate match. which of the best practices and “fun”-raisers SILVER - 30% participation and/or average employee gift you will employ and prepare for them. of $100 and/or a corporate gift of $100 per capita. Schedule United Way presentations in advance BRONZE - 20% participation and/or average employee and plan the publicity efforts that will surround gift of $52 and/or corporate gift of $52 per capita. your campaign. 7. DON’T FORGET TO SAY THANKS

RECOGNIZE AND REWARD Community Care Card Mom always taught us to say “Please” and “Thank You.” And saying “Thank You” may be the most important element in maintaining the long-term support you’ve worked so hard to achieve. That’s why Visit us online at United Way has developed a number of ways to thank www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org and recognize generous donors and the hard-working for a list of participating volunteers within workplace campaigns. businesses and discounts.

 United Way will send thank you notes with receipts from our office to all donors who give $100 or About the Care Card  Our 6th year of providing donors with a discount/ more. These letters will be sent in December and rewards card that can be redeemed at local will include a 2011 Community Care Card. businesses for freebies and offers as our thank you  Membership in United Way’s Pillar Society is a for their gift. benefit for all who give $500 or more. Pillar  Given from our office directly to donors who give $100 or more. We must have donor’s detailed Society members are recognized in an annual information to enable us to mail the cards. publication (unless they wish to remain  Will be mailed in December for use throughout 2011. anonymous), receive the Contributor, our quarterly  Participating businesses will be added throughout newsletter, and are invited to our Pillar Society the fall. If your workplace is interested in being on the card, call United Way at 644-8381. Reception at the conclusion of each campaign.

Will you help us thank donors internally for their THANK YOU IDEAS participation? Just a small token of appreciation is  Print half-sheet thank you’s on colored paper with the often enough to convey the message. You can use United Way logo and your thank you message. Post them on the cubicles of those who pledged, recognizing them for some of our extra campaign items (pens, thank you their generosity. stickers, etc.). Perhaps a staff luncheon or pizza party  Late afternoon reception with snacks for all those who gave. can be coordinated. Even a simple postcard-sized  Send an e-mail or thank you from your CEO. letter of thanks goes a long way toward making a  Announce the total your organization raised on posters, in donor feel appreciated. e-mail, in your company newsletter.

8. REPORTING RESULTS

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Everybody loves a winner and jumps on a bandwagon when things are going well. Track your campaign’s progress and publicly report results to your co-workers as you move along. When you are finished, complete the Reporting Envelope and call United Way at 644-8381 to pick up or Honda of America announces campaign results. deliver pledges. Please try to complete your campaign by November 30.