2018 Campaign GuideUNITED WE ALL WIN

A Note from Catrina WilsonUnited Way Building Block PrioritiesFAQs for Campaign LeadersHow to Run a Great Campaign8 Key Steps to a Successful CampaignEmployee Campaign Checklist

If you need campaign materials or assistance getting your campaign off the ground, call us at 361.882.2529

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Thank you for running your organization’s United Way campaign. As an EmployeeCampaign Leader, you will harness the generosity, talent, and energy of yourworkplace to make a long-term impact in our community. You’ll be supportingprograms that deliver real results and transform lives. You are a champion in United Way’s movement to LIVE UNITED. You’ll be helping others, but you’ll also gain valuable benefits in the process.

In this booklet, you will learn how to educate your colleagues about United Wayand inspire them to give, advocate and volunteer in support of the building blocks for a better life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, good health and enough financial stability to support a family through retirement. LIVE UNITED,because UNITED WE ALL WIN!.

Contents

Welcome to the United Way Team!

A Note from Catrina Wilson, President and CEO

Dear Employee Campaign Leader,

Serving as an Employee Campaign Leader (ECL) for the United Way of the Coastal Bend is a vital link to our success. We know it takes a special person to plan, organize and implement a successful workplace campaign. Thank you for accepting this important role in this year’s campaign! It is our hope that you will be fulfilled with rewarding experiences through your association with United Way.

The resources you help generate at your company or organization allow United Way of the Coastal Bend to focus on the programs and United Way initiatives that matter most to our community. In fact, 92% of our total dollars come from the workplace campaign. We couldn’t do it without you! And remember, what’s raised here, stays here.

Please extend a special thank you to your generous coworkers. We appreciate their support in helping us LIVE UNITED, because UNITED WE ALL WIN!

Sincerely,

Catrina WilsonPresident and CEOUnited Way of the Coastal Bend

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Education Priority

Financial Stability Priority

Health Priority

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Increase school readiness of children ages 0-5Enhance early grade literacyAssure quality after-school programmingIncrease leadership and life skills for youth, grades 4-12

Increase access to physical and mental healthcareDecrease unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol and chemical dependencyIncrease youth knowledge of nutrition and healthy activitiesIncrease safety for victims of violence

Connect individuals and families to coordinated support services that reduce barriers to achieveing financial stabilityIncrease income through job training and placementIncrease income through VITA

FAQs for Campaign LeadersHow long should a campaign run?For many companies, a two week campaign is the perfect amount of time to kick off your campaign, get the message out effectively, and make your ask without overburdening staff. An exception to this might be if you are the campaign leader at an exceptionally large company or a company with many different work sites.

What is a Pacesetter Company?PACESETTERS are a group of businesses and organizations that conduct workplace campaigns between July and August. PACESETTER companies are an important part of our official campaign announcement. Companies receive recognition and exposure through increased media opportunities with United Way of the Coastal Bend.

Do companies receive special recognition for their donations?Some awards are given to companies and employee groups that show exceptional leadership and commitment in their annual United Way campaigns. This includes creativity in planning and implementation, total dollars pledged, peer-to-peer rankings and more.

When should our campaign take place?Most campaigns take place between mid-July and Mid-November, but they can happen at a time that is best suited to your organization.

How can employees give?Using a United Way pledge forms, employees can give via payroll deducation, cash, check or credit card. Employees can also give through our secure online donation portal at uwcb.org.

When does payroll deduction start?Payroll deduction usually runs from January 1 through December 31, but it is actually a company choice. For example, some school districts opt to take payroll deductions during the school year versus the calendar year.

I have limited time to devote to a campaign. How can I work it into my busy schedule?The best way to ease the strain is to recruit a committee, assign tasks and start planning early as a team. Also, be sure to use your United Way representative extensively. She or he is there to help you every step of the way. Let them know your limitations and come up with a plan together to make it easier for you.

Are donations to United Way tax deductible?Yes.

Can employees designate their donations?Yes. While donating to the Community Investment Fund is the best way to help the entire Coastal Bend,donors can designate their gift to individual agencies as listed on the rack card.

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How to Run aGreat CampaignHere are some best practices taken from fellow EmployeeCampaign Leaders and experts on our United Way team. Follow these simple steps to ensure:

You’ll enjoy your role as an Employee Campaign Leader.You not only can successfully raise money, you’ll havefun doing it and stand out as a leader in your organization.

Your employees will understand how they can make a difference by participating.People like to get involved in helping the community, and with yourWorkplace Campaign, they can have fun at the same time.

Your company will get the most out of its partnership withUnited Way.Whether you have an official corporate social responsibility policyor not, your company will shine by giving back to the community.

We appreciate your time as a volunteer in this role. Remember, we are just a quick call or email away.

8 Successful Key Steps

1. Involve your United Way staff2. Select a strong campaign team3. Set goals for the campaign4. Secure company leadership support

5. Develop a communication plan6. Plan events to engage the team7. Remember to thank all employee donors8. Promote your United Way year round!

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Involve Your United Way Representative!We want to be a part of your campaign planning, rallies and special events.

We provide videos, training materials, and sample communications at your fingertips at uwcb.org.

We are available to do presentations at your rallies and meetings.

If you need campaign materials or assistance getting your campaign off the ground, call us at 361.882.2529.

Engaging Your TeamIt’s a simple equation, right? The more people thatsign up, the bigger the difference you will make andthe more you will have to celebrate! Aim for 100%participation. Find fun and creative ways to engageyour colleagues.

• Hold a food-themed event. When food is involved, people flock.

• Invite a United Way speaker. We are always ready to talk to your employees about how giving impacts our communities.

• Make your gift first - your leadership and commitment will inspire others to join you.

• Highlight the United Way Leadership Circle. It recognizes donors who contribute $1,000 or greater per campaign year.

• Give an incentive to increase the average gift.

• Don’t forget a personal ask is the best way to encourage employees.

8 Key Stepsto a Successful Campaign

Select a Strong Campaign TeamYour best team will have broad representationfrom all departments and levels.

Involve team members by handing out assignments - make it easy on yourself!

Have an executive sign on to the team to help secureresources.

Have team members set goals for their departments and assist in deciding how best to engage peers. It doesn’t have to be one size fits all.

Promote the advantages of payroll deduction, allowingemployees to give in a convenient way.

Set Goals for the CampaignGoals inspire! Start with the most important goal: theimpact coworkers have on the community throughtheir partnership with United Way!

Set a company-wide goal.

Connect your company to real results. For examples, go toour contributions impact calculator at uwcb.org.

Secure Company Leadership SupportDon’t be afraid to ask your leadership team to get involved. The truth is, people like to be asked to give-it’s a form of flattery. Your leadership team can inspire others to give by ‘leading the campaign.’

Ask your leadership team to set aside 5-10 minutes for aUnited Way speaker at a staff meeting.

Invite your leadership team to run a Pacesetter campaignand make their personal gift and corporate commitmentsprior to your campaign launch.

Ask your leadership team to visibly support your efforts.

Develop a Communications PlanAdvertise events and campaign dates early andoften. Whether it’s a poster in the break room, speeches at staff meetings, emails or messaging onyour office intranet, United Way can provide you withall the tools you need.

Make use of United Way brochures, posters, stickers, videosand the website.

Tailor the sample letters, emails and other goodies availableat uwcb.org.

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United Way of the Coastal Bend is here to help you year round. Opportunities for involvement and services available year round include:

• “New Hires” Program - Coordinate with employee orientationprocess

• Add us to your website - If top management at yourcompany gives you the okay, link us to your website so thatyour employees are always in the know about how theirinvestment with United Way of the Coastal Bend is changingthe community.

• Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter. We wouldlove the opportunity to send you stories about people whohave been helped by United Way. Contact your Resource Development Director if you’d like to receive the PDF version to print and post to a bulletin board, to post to your company’sintranet or to forward to coworkers.

• Special Events - Host a special event where all proceedsbenefit United Way of the Coastal Bend.

Meet the TeamResource Development

Libby AverytChief Development Officer361.882.2529 x125libby.averyt@uwcb.org

Shawn LymanResource Development Director361.882.2529 x116shawn.lyman@uwcb.org

Stephanie JordanResource Development Director361.882.2529 x130stephanie.jordan@uwcb.org

Remember to Thank All Employee DonorsIt’s important to thank your coworkers for theircontributions to your United Way campaign.Consider a thank you email from management or an informal coffee and donut event to share how their contributions are helping others in the Coastal Bend. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but everyone wants to know their donations are making a difference! Include your Resource Development Director from United Way if you have questions about what might work best foryour company structure and budget.

Promote United Way Year Round!

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Employee Campaign Leader’s ChecklistUse this list to harness the generosity, talent and energy of your workplace campaign to cut poverty.

Meet with your United Way representative and begin planning your campaign.Attend United Way’s Employee Campaign Leader Lunch, Learn and Live United Workshop.Go to uwcb.org for ideas and sample materials.Secure CEO or senior management support.Establish campaign goals like dollar amount and participation percentage.

Recruit and train your campaign team.Establish timeline for campaign activities.Begin campaign promotion.Send letter from management to employeesOrder campaign supplies and prepare your campaign materials

Conduct a pacesetter campaign.Hand out pledge forms and/or email information about online giving to employees.Send follow-up emails every few days to keep up enthusiasm. Include updates, community facts and success stories. Hold meetings and fundraising events.Give employee opportunities to learn more by coordinating United Way speakers or volunteer activities.

Send a reminder email that your campaign is concluding and pledge forms need to be submitted.Collect pledge forms.Submit contribution forms final reports/data to your payroll department.Report results to United Way. Turn in pledge forms, cash, checks, etc.Announce campaign results to your employees.Thank employees with a celebration event, letter, email, etc.Thank your campaign team, leadership contributors and other special groups.Gather feedback and notes for next year.Choose an Employee Campaign Leader, set next year’s kickoff date, and provide this information to your United Way representative.

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GEAR UP

RUN

CLOSE

Host year-round volunteer events so employees can contribute to the LIVE UNITED movement.Stay up-to-date on news, our progress and ways to stay involved. Go to uwcb.org

ONGOING

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