I participated in my first workplace United Way campaign in 1982. I was working about 20 hours a week at a savings and loan (remember those?) in Phoenix, Ariz., and spending the rest of my time with my infant son. We were struggling to make ends meet because my full time job had been eliminated unexpectedly while I was on maternity leave, so I was not very enthused about the call to give away some of my very scarce resources. Yes, United Way was a hard sell in this workplace as it was in so many others, so I signed up as a “fair share” donor.
Guess what? My resources were still scarce, but there was no notable difference in my circumstances due to the loss of that hour’s pay. I moved on, and back, to Indiana and continued to be a donor, gradually “stepping up” my contribution — first because I realized that my small gift didn’t really hurt my budget, so a slightly larger small gift was possible, then because my earnings increased with full time employment and job advancement.
The other thing I realized was that I could be a small part of the solution — for children, for families and for communities. I started paying attention to the world outside of my own walls. I started to LIVE UNITED. I am very thankful for that “hard sell.” It changed my life in so many positive ways.
This year, we have a “soft sell” for everyone in Madison County. We are offering an opportunity for folks to “step up” their contributions. It’s more important than ever to get those incremental increases because we can match every dollar of new donations through the 4community2 grant we received from the Indiana Association of United Ways. The opportunity, funded by Lilly Endowment, can bring in an additional $170,000 to our community — IF enough of us step up.
Besides the grant that matches any level of increase, we have devised a special challenge to encourage people to become engaged in giving. There are three levels of the Step-Up Challenge: Madison Way, Active Community Investor and Emerging Leader. All involve making a three-year commitment, but give recognition for the third year level this year.
Madison Way is a leadership recognition level established in 1989. Minimum annual household giving for Madison Way recognition is $1,000. Those taking the Step-Up Challenge make a minimum $350 gift this year, $650 in 2009 and $1,000 in 2010. Madison Way members are recognized in our newsletter, on our Web site and in meeting publications.
A second level of leadership giving was established a few years ago and is identified as those giving between $500 and $999 per year. The Step-Up Challenge to Active Investor asks for a minimum $150 gift this year; $300 next and $500 in 2010.
Finally, we are making a special outreach to younger (40-) donors with the Emerging Leader giving designation. Beginning minimum donation is $50 and increments are $100 and $200, but this designation also asks for an initial engagement commitment by signing up for e-communications or on United Way’s facebook group, and in following years by participating in an event and then on a committee or by leading a volunteer team.
If you can’t step up to these levels, rest assured that your gift of any size matters. We have hundreds of legacy donors who faithfully mail in their $10, $25, $50 checks year after year and these gifts have long been the backbone of our campaign. If you can join the Step-Up Challenge, just call us at (765) 643-7493 and we’ll send you a form, or send your contribution with a note that indicates your Step Up intentions to United Way of Madison County, P. O. Box 1200, Anderson, IN 46015.
Nancy Vaughan is president of United Way of Madison County Inc.
Columns
Related Photos
-
Jennifer Goldsmith
Discussion
NANCY VAUGHAN: Take the Step Up Challenge
- Columns
-
-
Emmett Dulaney: When Twitter backfires
Twitter, that innocuous social media tool that lets users send out 140 character snippets to their followers, is being used more and more as a marketing tool.
-
John Williams: Valentine tip from Social Security
Valentine’s Day is a popular time of year for proclamations of love. Such displays of affection can be as simple and sweet as a heart with a “be mine” message, or as life altering as a vow before the altar.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
'Big Joe' Clark: The $100 million IRA - and how to get one
Is it possible to save $100 million? No, but it is possible to invest and end up with that sum of money. Mitt Romney is not alone; there are others with mega IRAs.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
-
Brian Howey: Automotive factor explains why Obama opens Indiana office
On Thursday, the Obama for America campaign opened up an office in Indiana, a state with a century-old love affair with the internal combustion engine.
-
Maleah Stringer: Be truthful when filling out an application to adopt a pet
Animal shelters, humane societies and animal rescue groups across the country use adoption applications to screen applicants.
-
Jim Bailey: Plenty of sports celebrities have spoken in Anderson
Those who like to hear about their favorite sports from the horse’s mouth have had plenty of opportunities over the years in Anderson.
-
Howard Hewitt: Ivo Nardi of Italy leading organic push
Much of Europe is way ahead of the United States when it comes to the demand and supply of organic products.
-
Don McAllister: Dovetailing on a great column with a word on encouragement
Every day starts a new story, and this one tips its hat to a great column that recently appeared in The Herald Bulletin by Jesse Wilkerson where he emphasized the value of choosing one’s words.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
Obama: Good US-China Ties Help the Whole World
School Pays Students to Attend Class
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
