Kyle DeFur, president of Saint John’s Health System and 2007 United Way Campaign Chair, joined me this past week at the regular meeting of the certified agency executive directors.

Our role was to discuss plans for the United Way campaign and ways that member agencies can participate. We came at the request of the group, which recently reorganized and is actively working to strengthen the nonprofit provider network together. Their leadership efforts will be very visible as we enter our campaign on Aug. 28. Some briefings from the meeting give a snapshot of the current work around the county.

Outgoing director of the Madison County branch of The Salvation Army, Maj. Robert “Tony” Hall, introduced newly-appointed director Capt. Nathan Harms on his first day in town. Tony and wife Char are now settling in at their new post in Illinois. Nathan and his wife, Michelle, have most recently served in Cass County (Logansport) where they earned rave reviews from United Way Director Joyce Gephardt. It didn’t take long to see why. Capt. Harms jumped into the meeting full force.

Mary Jo Lee, Alternatives Executive director and president of the group, proposed putting together a directory of the agency leadership to help them know each other and to help others in the community tap into their resources. Vice President Annette Craycraft, executive director of the local CASA, will take on the task of compiling the information. Judi Ritter, vice president of development for LifeStreams Inc., and I shared some information on a recent workshop we attended on the topic of “Liveable Communities,” which promotes a concept of inter-generational living that enriches all stages of life within a community. The concept challenges much of our traditional way of working in nonprofits that segments populations by age. It opens the door for building capacity by tapping into new resources such as utilizing seniors to read to pre-schoolers or using schools and students as technology training resources for adults.

Under the “Hot Topics” section of the agenda, the group discussed the impact of Anderson Community Schools’ uniform policy on the populations they serve.  Alternatives, Inc. has a particular concern for the children who reside with them and those who arrive from other county school systems throughout the year. Families served by many other agencies will also be impacted and preliminary discussion was held on organizing a community uniform closet to serve them, perhaps tying into Salvation Army’s Tools for Schools project. Look for more on this activity very soon.

Each member has an opportunity for a quick news brief:

* Alexandria Community Center is enjoying its completely renovated facility.

* Alternatives is planning a brand-new community tips day July 20 at Wings, Etc. The agency is also seeking a development director.

* Anderson Public Library summer reading programs for all ages is in full swing with sign ups open through July.

* CASA’s Craycraft has been appointed to the Supreme Court Advisory Committee for the organization.

* Children’s Bureau/Exchange Club Family Resource Center Director Jama Donovan is planning for her upcoming maternity leave, but VP Duane Wade will be spending more time in Anderson to keep things going as the new mom enjoys time with her family.

* Gateway Association is still unpacking at First United Methodist Church in downtown Anderson, where it just moved all of its operations to the south wing.

* Pendleton Library is expanding programs, including book discussions, classic films, and arts programs in its newly expanded and renovated facility.

* LifeStream is planning new events for the ever-more-active senior population at the annual Senior Games on Sept. 8 in Yorktown.

* YMCA is planning 23 events as part of the September Corporate Challenge.

We also discussed the development of a Volunteer Resource Center at United Way, which we hope to have in place later this year, and our plans for a revamped Day of Caring event in October that focuses on weatherization projects. The fall is going to be extremely busy.

Second Harvest Food Bank plans a September move to its new Delaware County facility. Both Second Harvest and Anderson YMCA continue with their capital campaign drives to support their facility needs.

I applaud this group for its proactive approach to building community together. It’s truly the United Way in action.



Nancy Taylor is president of United Way of Madison County Inc.