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THE
MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS, OR MOST OFTEN HEARD OBJECTIONS
TO GIVING TO THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
WHAT
IS THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN? (Back to top)
It is the fundraising arm of United Way of Whatcom County, an
organization operated by a volunteer group of local citizens
- its' 30 member Board of Directors. One objective of United
Way is to eliminate the effort and cost of many separate charitable
fundraising campaigns. It does this by conducting a single annual
campaign for the financial needs of major health, social services,
youth, recreation, and rehabilitation organizations providing
human services in Whatcom County. United Way assures the contributor
that maximum value is received from each contributed dollar
and that participating agencies maintain a high degree of efficiency
and quality of service.
WHO
DECIDES HOW THE MONEY IS ALLOCATED? (Back
to top)
A group of approximately 60 volunteers from Whatcom County make
up the Planning and Allocations Committee. This committee is
divided into four panels which review agencies programs offering
similar services. The panel members tour the agencies to see
the services offered and then are given the agencies' budgets
and requests for the year. Each agency makes one or more presentations
to the various panels. From the tours, budget forms, and presentations,
the panel members recommend a funding level for each program
an agency is requesting funds for.
I
FEEL I AM BEING PRESSURED TO GIVE TO UNITED WAY! (Back
to top)
United Way is made possible because so many people give voluntarily
? voluntarism is what United Way is all about. United Way of
Whatcom County has a non-coercion policy. If any donor feels
s/he has been coerced in any way to make a donation, their full
donation will be refunded.
WHO
MAY BELONG TO UNITED WAY? (Back to top)
Any health, social service, or character building agency may
become a member of United Way if it has a program or programs
which meets a community need that is not already being met by
another agency, and which agrees to present its finances, budget,
certified audit, and programs to United Way's volunteer Agency
Relations Committee for review. Upon meeting these initial criteria,
further review for membership is conducted by the Agency Relations
Committee with a recommendation given to the United Way Board
of Directors.
WHO
PAYS FOR CAMPAIGN LUNCHES & OTHER MEETINGS? (Back
to top)
Ask anyone who attends! Each individual attending any meeting
or event goes "No Host" for meals, except on those
occasions when it is sponsored by a local firm. You can join
us at a campaign lunch. They're open to the public.
I'M
NOT GIVING BECAUSE OF THE BOY SCOUTS! (Back
to top)
No matter what your stance is on the Boy Scouts or United Way's
nondiscrimination policy, please contribute. No matter what your opinion, your community needs your
support. You may direct your donation directly to the Boy
Scouts, as you can to any nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. For
more information about United
Way of Whatcom County's nondiscrimination policy.
WHY
SHOULD I GIVE? I NEVER USE AGENCY SERVICES. (Back
to top)
The wholesome atmosphere of a community is directly influenced
by the health, happiness, and well being of everyone in it.
Broken homes, delinquency, neglect of the needy and infirm,
and drug abuse impacts everyone in the community. United Way
services are community services. They are for everybody. Illness,
family problems, mental disorders know no economic boundaries.
You, members of your family, co-workers or neighbors may not
need United Way services now, but you may in the future. It
is comforting to know that if these services are ever needed
by anybody within your circle of relationships, they will be
available. United Way builds a community safety net for all
of us.
Are
you sure you or a member of your family have not received the
benefits provided by a United Way agency? Do you have children
involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts or Camp
Fire? Have you taken CPR training? It's very likely you have
been touched by United Way agency programs, but were unaware
of the United Way involvement.
IF
UNITED WAY PROVIDES FUND RAISING FOR ITS PARTICIPATING AGENCIES,
WHY AM I ASKED TO BUY COOKIES OR CANDY OR CONTRIBUTE ADDITIONAL
FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO UNITED WAY PARTICIPATING AGENCIES?
(Back to top)
United Way support to participating agencies may be anywhere
from 1 percent of the agency's budget to 99 percent of its budget.
It's United Way's goal to see its participating agencies become
self supporting. Until then, however, each agency must rely
on other funding sources, like government grants, service fees
and/or special event fund-raising, to cover additional expenses
incurred in providing services to people. Additionally, agencies
may opt to raise funds via a project or drive. Those activities
provide a product or service in exchange for a contribution.
This is different from an outright gift given to help others.
IF
I STOP WORKING? WHAT HAPPENS TO MY PLEDGE? (Back
to top)
Payroll deduction pledges would stop with your company checks.
Direct billing pledge reminders will continue to be mailed unless
you request a change.
I
CAN'T AFFORD TO GIVE...THE ECONOMY IS KILLING ME! (Back
to top)
The reality is, "Can we afford NOT to give?" The needs
of people are not going to go away. It boils down to a choice:
freedom of choice through doing it ourselves, voluntarily through
local decision making, or less effectively and at greater cost
through non voluntary, compulsory ways such as government programs.
Additionally, you can give a gift to United Way of any size.
It is the giving of thousands of givers giving at their own
level that makes the impact of United Way so strong.
MY
HUSBAND/WIFE GIVES AT WORK -- WHY SHOULD I? (Back
to top)
If
a household is fortunate to have two salaries, it is hoped they
would consider making two contributions through the payroll
deduction system, each one considering a gift based on their
ability to give. Many spouses wish to make independent giving
choices and earn recognition within and for their own work place.
HOW
MUCH SHOULD I GIVE? (Back to top)
This is your choice. Many people ask how much others give. A
suggested amount, based on a survey of giving here, is one percent
of pay or one hour pay per month. These are only suggestions
though.
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