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Reggie: ... capture the conversation. I do the intro again, but I'm pretty sure you'll catch on. So the first thing I'll ask you is that with regard to United way of Southwest Georgia, what is it that you would say they really excel at? What do they really excel at? Speaker 2: The thing that I like about them is the organizations that they partner with, or who they collaborate with, they hold them accountable and they have to ensure that these people provide the data to show that this is the work they're doing, this is the product that was produced, and it's not just organizations they deal with, or the kind that are not just saying, "we doing something." They actually have to prove it and show it. And that's how they get that funding. And the good thing about the United Way, because it is just a small team, they don't do a whole lot. What they do, they try to do it well, which makes a big impact. People remember that more than just a bunch of stuff. They remember how well you did it.
Reggie: Awesome. Anyone else?
Jay: I totally agree. And to me, I feel like the money that is given to the United Way is given to those agencies that, I mean, they have scoped them out and they visited them and they know what they do, and it's a good bang for the buck.
Reggie: Awesome. Anyone else?
Speaker 4: I would have to say their level of outreach that they have in the community and the visibility, and just connecting the right organizations and entities, if there is a need. And then just being proactive with introductions and letting the community at large or newcomers to the community know what they're about, how they can support, and the impact that they've made and continue to have.
Reggie: Okay.
Marvin : Yeah. They are the connective tissue for a lot of individuals to be able to access the appropriate services for whatever challenges or opportunities that may be out there. Whether it's from educational, helping with housing issues and that counsel. So they're kind of that connective tissue of connecting people with resources. They're the community clearinghouse. Reggie: Mm-hmm (affirmative), awesome! Okay, great. Is there anything that stands out to you that makes them unique? What makes them unique?
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Jay: Well, I think they're brokering money for other agencies, and I don't know that other people are doing that. It makes it easier for me to just direct my money there and then it be used for those needs.
Reggie: Okay.
Speaker 2: I would say one of the things about United way is Just the consistency for an organization. Especially here, I mean, there are few organizations in Albany they have lasted, for example, the Boys and Girls Club. I mean, ever since I was... Can't remember, there was always a Boys and Girls Club. Same thing for the United Way. In my early years as a teenager, I remember the United Way. So an organization that has been able to last as long as they have. And I would just say for the past 30 years here in Albany, and always be kind of a source of pride. I mean, people who get on the Board of Directors or any kind way associated with the United Way... I used to think United way was a small company. I didn't know it was just a few people, but again, they've been able to be consistent over a long period of time. Reggie: Okay. So let's change gears a little bit. Let's talk about opportunities. The question I would ask you is what do you see as a substantial challenge for the United Way? Marvin : Just as they've been here for a long time, and just as they are the connective tissue for a lot of people, they have a marking problem. And she just alluded to it. People know who they are, they know the name, they know the brand, but they don't necessarily know what they do or how they do it. And they're not immune because I got the same problem at Boys and Girls Club. So people don't know what they do, how they do it. And then they're in a community that is saturated with so many nonprofits. Way too many for us to be the size that we are. I think there is over 200 nonprofits here that touch on some youth development loans, so way too many. Marvin : And again, I think they could be the clearinghouse for a lot of that, but they would have to enhance their marking, strengthen some of their strategic objectives such that as when Jay said, when he gives, he know it's going somewhere good. But the money can be leveraged a lot more. And being able to show sociable returns on investments across the board. How you've been able to create community change. Reggie: OK. Awesome. Thank you. Anyone else? Any substantial challenges for the United Way as you see it? Speaker 2: To add to that, the community buyin and just going to them. For example, and I may get this wrong, so the city of Albany, we have a 311 system, and the 911, everybody knows about that. But United Way has the 211, I believe. And that's if anybody has any questions about anything you can call 211. Well, the only time you hear about it is when you hear United Waymaker presentation. And this goes along with the marketing part is, I don't see any 211 emblons, fliars, if you just... General knowledge, if you know
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somebody who's in need, here's a number you can call and get access to some resources. That would be my part to add. Reggie: Okay. When you think about changes or trends or any kind of recent issues. Is there anything about those issues that you think aligns well with United Way's strengths? Any changes, or trends, or recent issues that align well with United Way's strengths?
Speaker 4: I don't know that I understand the question. Yeah.
Reggie: Sure. So an example might be, so we're hopefully coming through a pandemic phase, right? So that would be a recent thing that's happened and United Way was well positioned with tentacles into the community to be able to provide assistance. Is there anything else that's kind of in the air or any kind of recent kind of issue or challenge or opportunity or problem that's kind of part of the community that United Way has good strengths to be able to provide whatever that need is. Speaker 4: Yeah. I would have to say, because it's such a major organ within the community that its strengths they can immediately identify a resource, or be the resource for correcting. It's a matter of making a phone call or serving as a conduit for the entity or enterprise that can assist.
Reggie: Okay. Okay. Anything occur to anyone else?
Speaker 2: So in the realm of the social justice, when you talk about inqualities and you talk about equity and all, because United Way has contact with as many those tentacles, we'll say that they got to access. When people rise up on an activist level to talk about, "we don't have this, or we need this," we really do. And I've always said we have the answers to all of our challenges right here in the city. It's just we haven't gone to actually seek it and use it. Speaker 2: Another part when you talk about crime, and you get down to the root causes. Well, when you get to the root cause of crime, it's going to have something to do with literacy. It's going to have something to do with unemployment. It's going to have something to do with housing. Something that necessarily government doesn't fully have their hands on. But like Marvin said, we got over 200 nonprofits and a whole bunch of people running around. How can we, instead of trying to get something new, why don't we just go find out who's doing what, and pour our time and energy to those who are actually doing the right thing. So the United Way can have the access to the resources that the community needs. It's just one, ain't many people reaching out to ask them. And then two is that really being pushed forward because here people kind of want to stay in their space and they don't want to step into other people's territory because we tend to be very territorial here in time, so.
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Reggie: Okay, great. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Reggie I want to expand on it just a little bit.
Reggie: Okay.
Marvin : In my opinion, the United Way, in these current time, in the midst of these current challenges that we're not only facing in Albany, but throughout the world, the United Southwest Georgia is perfectly posed to lead out on a community impact model, where we are identifying the major issues in the community and United Way can organize the resources and the partners around addressing these challenges, and can really enhance their visibility in the community as being the convener and setting up these metrics. Say, if it is adolescent literacy right now, that's the major community entity. You find all these serving organizations that are dealing with that. And you say, when you direct the public, you guys give us all the money. And I think part of the problem that the United Way has gotten into over the years, is that they have tried to spread their money, to give all their money, make sure everybody get a little something, rather than just really focusing your resources on those who do it very, very well. Marvin : But you tell the public, "give your money here." All the money comes here, and we are only going to give it to the three or five organizations that really address adolescent literacy very, very well. But these are metrics that we're going to hold them accountable to, to make sure that they are doing the work, and these are the results that the community can expect as a result, and constantly do that. Think about if we did that around teen pregnancy, the COVID slide, violence and prevention, financial literacy for adults, homelessness and all that. Marvin : You did that, the cream arrives to the top very quickly. It would be a greater use of community resources, and you would see a tremendous amount of impact in a short amount of time. And what that would do then... But you got to have one organization that is the lead on that. Although several organizations will be involved, but the United Way is perfectly posed to enhance... They've already doing that to some extent, but they can take it to another level and really enhance their visibility. I think it will enhance their impact and the impact that they have on the community. And that's my two pennies.
Reggie: I appreciate your two pennies. Thank you, sir. Very much.
Jay: And all the social justice issues are so intertwined. The single parent homes, the literacy, Michael people falling into the system through the cops and getting a record, and then not being able to get a job with George Power, because they've got an arrest on them, falling into the drug thing, not being able to pass
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a drug test for a job. Yeah. If the United Way could plug into all those pieces, if we can figure out how to plug into all those pieces, it's mind blowing. Reggie: Appreciated. Much appreciated. Let's just shift gears and talk aspirations for a second. And I would ask you to kind of to put your vision casting lens on, and tell me what you see in terms of what you think United Way should want to achieve in its future. If it were up to you, what would the United Way want to achieve with its future?
Speaker 2: So I'm going to steal something from Marvin. United Way needs to have-
Marvin : Is that the Chief stealing? Speaker 2: Yes. Yes. I got witnesses. Reggie: We're on record brother. So-
Speaker 2: [inaudible 00:16:15] to develop the ecosystem of services for the community. Albany isn't that small, it isn't that big. Honestly, it's just right for this type of endeavor. And if you have this one organization that it doesn't matter what socioeconomic class you come from, if you know that whether if I'm given a dollar, or I need any kind of help, you get to the United Way, listen, you come in one way and you'll get directed to wherever you need to, and anybody who wants to start a new nonprofit, it's not saying, "okay, well, I don't have to fall up under their rules, regulation authority, but it can be somebody can partner with, because their whole thing is, if Michael personally starts adult literacy one on one, Michael personally needs people. Speaker 2: I may have my own funding, but United Way brings me people. I get funding from Dr. Wilson, but I get the people from the United Way, and what I'm able to do is if I'm able to help on the literacy part, then yeah. Now they can go get training so that Jay can start hiring people from the community. It's almost to the point the United Way needs to be the ecosystem of services. And I'll be honest for Southwest Georgia because stationed here, but listen, Albany is the regional hub for Southwest Georgia and it can benefit everybody. And as long as Albany benefits, Southwest Georgia benefits.
Reggie: Great. Okay. Anyone else share your vision?
Marvin : I think I just did. Is seeing them as the lead agency in a community impact model.
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Reggie: Okay. What about their work? What about the work that United Way does that you are really passionate about? That you love seeing them do.
Speaker 2: So, well, go ahead Marvin.
Marvin : I'm really passionate about how they're able to connect the community in so many ways. So that's the one thing that I'm passionate about.
Reggie: Okay.
Speaker 2: This is going to sound crazy, but I like it when they come out every year and do their campaign fundraiser. And the reason I say that, we have to deal with fundraisers all the time, whether it's candies, popcorn from schools, faith based organizations, those who do it. But more so for the United Way, when their campaign contribution comes around, they'll tell you, "this is where your money is going." And if you really don't know what to do, or even if you are already involved in a whole bunch of stuff, "Hey, let me give to this organization, because I know there are other people who are out here in the fight." So when their campaign time comes around... Speaker 2: I was an ambassador for the city and encouraging people, "Hey, let's get some money together." The military taught us... First of all, you didn't have no option in the military. When that time came around, you put down how much you were going to give them. But I know where it's going. And so I can fully support that. I see what's going to happen on the other end. So when campaign fundraising time comes around, I'm excited about that time of year. So- Reggie: Okay. But people also have the option to designate which agencies the money goes to. Isn't that correct?
Speaker 2: True. Yeah. Yes.
Marvin : So if they're passionate about, I mean, [inaudible 00:20:58] it includes everybody.
Reggie: It's great observation. Okay. With regard to results, what outcomes would you see that let you know that United Way was achieving its success? What outcomes would you see?
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Speaker 2: For me if the United Way is able to help families, then one thing I should look at, I'll say is graduation rate when it comes to high school. Just being honest, I'm still kind of, after all these years, I'm still trying to figure out how do they really measure that? Because my thing is, if a hundred kids entered in as ninth graders, I know some going to fall off, but just say none of them fall off, where a hundred percent of them graduated. That's just my simple math. But when you start to see more... And it's not just they're barely passing, but they've been helped to pass to where you can see some families that are, "Hey, we got some help and we're going to continue our education," you start to feel hope come back. Speaker 2: I know that's not a tangible thing, but you start to feel hope, you start to hear people talk about, "there's more hope in the community," and you have other people talk about, "all right, let's start actually, excuse me, pouring back in to people." So if the United Way is helping families, individuals and family, and you start to see that we're starting to have more kids graduating from high school instead of coming out of the alternative center. When you look at kids that can say, "Hey, I was touched by the Boys and Girls Club as well," they helped the kids, but United Way was able to find an organization that helped the family, the parents, and whatnot. And you start to hear more wholeness occurring within these families and slowly but surely, you'll start to see things changing in these neighborhoods to where being in a gang is not really what we want to do because I can be I can be whoever I want to be, but I don't have to be a hustler. Speaker 2: I don't have to work out the trap house. I don't have to break in the cars every night just to steal whatever you got so I can sell it and get some money to feed myself or whomever. More hope. You start hear more instances of hope coming back into the community.
Reggie: Yeah. Okay. Anyone else. Outcomes that you would see?
Speaker 4: I would have to say I have two. One is just the presence and stability throughout the community. And that it's an anchor if you will. So as it was said earlier, they're countless nonprofits and the need in this community continues to be very grave. But United Way continues to be that consistent presence. And so if I'm in need, I know know that's the one stop shop, if you will, that I can go to. The other piece that I thought of as it relates to impressive outcomes, and this is me having... I sat on the United Way Board and then I've also sat on the organization that's no longer an existence called Zen, but I do know that the accountability systems that are in place will either cause you to remain viable or no longer exist. And so that's one of the outcomes that I've always been impressed with. Reggie: That's awesome. Okay. Thank you. Got anything there, anybody? One last question. Kind of similar, but if you had to think about it as measures, think what measures you would look to for their success.
Marvin :
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I think that's a very difficult question, Reggie. I think it would depend a lot upon what is the strategic direction or the one or two, three, no more than four strategic objectives that the organization is going to take on sofa. So you would have these overarching, in my mind you would have these overarching objectives that, and they can be very broad, say like promoting financial literacy, right? Under that, then you can have these strategic goals under each one, and then you can drill down even further. That will really be your metrics such as you got promoting financial literacy, ensuring that all kids are provided with basic level of managing the checkbook. Then under that, I would have my specific goals of... A hundred fifth graders would do this by the second nine week grading period, or have these many teams to complete this financial literacy thing. Marvin : So I think it's difficult for me to say what I think the metrics are. I think what you got to realize is, and what the United Way and its leadership is going to have to do, is really hone in its focus, realizing that you can't chase everything. You're not going to be able to solve and cure the world, but what are the two or three things that we can do? And we can do really, really good without getting out of strategic position. You don't see Delta Airlines trying to do what Southwest Airlines does. And you don't see Southwest trying to do what Delta does. Southwest gets you from point A to point B. Ain't no change in planes. So that's why they don't need to charge no bag fees So we do this really, really well. But if you want to go from point A and put in a stop at B and go to C, then you need to fly Delta, because they are really, really good at that. Marvin : And so what I think is, and that's understanding your strategic position, and I'm not so sure that at this point, because United Way is seen as a convener, that they really don't have a strategic position right now. And so I think they really need to hone in and pick out, "these are the things that we are going to own. We're absolutely going to own these. And then we're going to work with organizations that can help support this and be in this space with us. And we are going to drill down and we are going to do it like that." But trying to chase everything from homelessness, to food insecurity, to literacy, to education, to sexual prevention, it's too much. It is too much. Speaker 4: I agree. And if there's a common theme out of all of those major issues that Marvin just identified, select that. So if it's literacy, because that permeates every facet of society in terms of our ability to succeed. So if we narrow it a little bit more and say financial literacy, and then partner with not even the nonprofits. We're always talking about how can we collaborate and the desire is there to collaborate, but adopting that same theme and then taking advantage of how can Albany State further support, or Boys and Girls Club as an offshoot of United Way or the city of Albany. And I think you'll be able to then just inevitably attack or address some of those issues that are also pervasive throughout. But to narrow it down, I think you'd have a much more greater impact and it will have a generational impact, which is the goal. Reggie: Okay, good. Well, that kind of wraps up the questions I brought to the conversation again, United Way holds each of your relationships near and dear to them as a stakeholder for the work that they're doing. And as we are getting ready to have a conversation about what their future trajectory is like, particularly
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next year, if there's anything else that any of these questions did not surface for you, that you would like to be able to share, that we should consider, this is a good time to share that. Speaker 2: One of the things, how does the United Way look at... And I may be using this wrong to say this, but how do they barge in on the scene? I mean, they may have a seat at the table, but we need to hear their voice at the table. For example, from the city side of the house, a lot of issues are talked about, things that are happening in the community, but I don't know within my peers, or either the policy makers, is there a conversation with the United Way? Is that the same on the County side? Does the school board have that conversation? Speaker 2: Those are the three main political bidens here. And when they talk about all of them have the same issue, you got the United Way. I mean, "Hey, we know we, we got them over here, but how do we put them at the table and are they going to bring their voice to the table because you will not be able to govern your way out of these challenges. You really need the community, and if they're the lynchpin for the community, we need to have their voice at the table. Reggie: Absolutely. Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Any parting words? No? Well, I really appreciate your time. I don't take that for granted. I know there's all kinds of things and people competing for it. So on behalf of United Way and myself for the work that we're hopefully going to help empower them to do in the coming year and beyond, I really appreciate your time. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right. See you. Take care. Enjoy your day.
Marvin : All right. Same to you all.
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Reggie Hammond: You're also going to do that? So with that said, I don't know what the likelihood is that you all know each other, but I thought we would maybe start out with introductions, and I'll just kind of call them off as the square show up on my page. So, Mary, would you mind getting us started and maybe just share who you are, your organization, and then what's your connection to United Way? Mary Bickerstaff: Okay. I work for the Albany Chamber of Commerce. My name is Mary Bickerstaff. I've worked here at the Chamber since 2012. And prior to that, I worked at the Albany Herald for 23 years.
Reggie Hammond: Wow.
Mary Bickerstaff: So, I'm a lifelong Albanian, and I love Albany. The United Way serves a purpose because it filters so much of the needed monies down to other nonprofits in our area.
Reggie Hammond: That's good.
Mary Bickerstaff: And those other nonprofits rely on the United Way to be able to get that funding.
Reggie Hammond: Okay. Awesome. Thank you.
Mary Bickerstaff: You're welcome.
Reggie Hammond: How about you, Matt?
Matt Atkins: Hey, I'm Matt Atkins. I'm a manager with Draffin Tucker. We're a full service CPA and advisory firm. I've had the privilege of serving on the board for a few years now in two separate terms. Previously, I was the board treasurer and had the opportunity to serve with Rachelle there for a little while. So great to see you again, Rachelle, I'm glad you're able to participate. My current term, I began last June, and prior to that, I served, again, a full term as board treasurer. I've served now under four, I guess, two different CEOs of the organization. And I can tell you all that I am most excited about our current CEO with the work that Shawna is doing, and her excitement, and her enthusiasm that she's bringing to the board. Mary, I'll tell you, from my perspective, we don't want to be just a filter of money, we want to be so much more for the community. And so, I'm really looking forward to having these conversations about where we've been, and where we are, and then of course, where we're going to go.
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Reggie Hammond: Outstanding. Thank you. I really appreciate that. Rachelle.
Rachelle K. Scott: Yes, good morning. And Matt, it's good to see you as well, and happy to be able to talk with you all this morning from Procter & Gamble, which is where I am sitting currently, and we are masking up gate-to- gate and at all times, unless we're consuming beverages, or if we are so inclined to smoke, which I am not. So, just again, you can see why I'm donning the mask. But certainly United Way has been a great part of my life since starting at Procter & Gamble, where I was a contributor from year one and every year since then, in terms of my giving from the treasurer standpoint, and then from a time and talent standpoint, been serving on the board for multiple years, starting in 2009. And fortunately, had the honor and the privilege to be board chair once upon a time, and in that capacity did lead the Vision 2017 Strategic Plan. Rachelle K. Scott: So, Reggie, I'm excited about what you're doing. And when I heard that it was SOAR, I'm like, oh wow, because I actually learned that in my master's program. And that was something that I brought to the United Way at that time, because it was forward-focused versus the traditional SWAT analysis where you're looking at threats and you're kind of feeling what's wrong. It's like, well, what are our aspirations? What do we want to be? And so, I love the fact that United Way is still using that model to this day. So, just excited to be on board and helping wherever I can. Reggie Hammond: Thank you. That's really exciting and encouraging, thank you for sharing that. Well, I'll get right in, because I want to make the best use of your time, and I'm really a stickler for making sure that I don't take more time than you've offered. You've been so generous with your calendar. I know that there's good competition to get things on your calendar, so I just want to be a good steward of it. And so, in order to start the conversation, I'll just ask these questions. You can share your own perspective, you can build on what someone else shares, and I'll just kind of make sure that we're making good progress through the questions and categories as we need to, to kind of make our way through the conversation. The first thing I would ask is, from your perspective, what is it that United Way really excels at? What does the United Way really excel at? Anybody just jump on in there. Mary Bickerstaff: I think that they are good stewards of the dollars that they filter, even though you want to be more than that, they've proven effective in distributing those dollars.
Reggie Hammond: Okay. Anyone else?
Rachelle K. Scott: I'd also like to say, and since I've been with P&G for 25 years, I didn't say that, but that was day one, year one that I was referring to, so for United Way, long-standing history of being able to garner the community support, and partnering with the other nonprofits to look at the most needed areas of the Albany and surrounding communities. And so, that's what I think they do very well. And Reggie, by the
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way, I'm from Ohio, stayed in Ohio, so when you mentioned Columbus is like a [inaudible 00:06:06] to the Midwest, but yeah.
Reggie Hammond: That's great. Rachelle K. Scott: Yeah, absolutely. Reggie Hammond: Okay.
Matt Atkins: Yeah. I'm certainly glad to hear Mary say that she feels like we're good stewards because I certainly feel that way as well. I think I may have even mentioned that when I responded to your email request a couple of weeks ago. I think we do that well, that's certainly a top priority for us is making sure that the donors to our organization are receiving the most value they possibly can for every dollar that they give. Some of our donors offer very, very small amounts to the organization, although I'm certain that those amounts are very large to them and their families. And so, we are so grateful for each of those dollars, every single one, and we want to make sure that they're spent wisely and spent according to our donors' wishes. So, that is very key to us. I know that every budget I've been involved in setting, we've had an eye on returning every possible dollar we can into the community to make it stretch as far as we possibly we can. So, that's great to hear, and certainly one of the areas that we place a big importance on. Reggie Hammond: Outstanding. Is there anything that makes United Way unique that you can think of? Anything that makes them unique? Matt Atkins: Well, I think, from my perspective, I think we have a lot of opportunities to be more unique than what we are. We did struggle there in the mid 2010s, I think, at differentiating ourselves. I think in some ways we got complacent, but that is not the case anymore. Shawna has brought a lot of vigor to the organization in how she's come in. Just a tremendous amount of excitement. I think we're unique in that we are well positioned within the community to be the coordinator of resources to meet the greatest needs in the community. We can fundraise, we're doing that well, really, really well the last few years beyond our traditional campaign model. And then beyond that, we're looking to differentiate ourselves even further by becoming a key piece of volunteering in the community, and really expanding out our volunteer opportunities and recruiting volunteers. That's been very important to us over the last couple of years. So, I think we have a lot of opportunity to be more unique than what we are and further differentiate ourselves. Rachelle K. Scott: I agree with you, Matt. I'd also like to add, just leveraging the scale, and the ability to corral multiple, I guess I'll say programs, partner programs, and having the ability with the brand, United Way, which is
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trusted to do more good in the community. I do believe that United Way still is strong and carries a form of respect around various communities and what they can do. And so, definitely looking forward to seeing more growth, especially in this virtual environment that we found ourselves living in, and how to reach out beyond the traditional models like you were saying that, but certainly I think that umbrella ability to corral multiple needs under one and be able to represent as a whole is a strength for United Way also.
Reggie Hammond: Sure. Mary Bickerstaff: I'd like-
Reggie Hammond: Is there anything... Go ahead, Mary.
Mary Bickerstaff: I'd like to ask a question. I have volunteered in the past for different events with United Way, but what are some of the other volunteering opportunities available to individuals? Matt Atkins: That's a good question. So, we did have the Day of Caring, which is probably where you found yourself volunteering. And what we would do is kind of coordinate one day a year, and have really a tremendous amount of participation from various organizations. Unfortunately, that sort of fizzled out over a few years, and I don't know that we've really done a good job of bringing that back. So, we have tried to focus more on individualized volunteering opportunities. And what we do is we learn from our pool of volunteers, what they're most interested in, where their passions are, and then try to connect you with whatever opportunities look right for you as an individual or as a group. If a corporation or business wants to have a day of volunteering, we try to make sure that we're connecting that business where their passions are because we may want them, or we may have an organization or somebody in the community that needs their facility painted. Well, you may not want to go paint at the Lily Pad or something like that. Matt Atkins: And so, Shawna and her team, I think do a really good job of trying to put volunteers in the right spot. Admittedly, we're still rebuilding that volunteering activity. And so, it's not as robust as what we want it to be, but I think it is a really key piece of how we move forward in the community. Because as we think about like Albany State, those students, they may not have a lot of money to give to the community, but that's okay, they've got a lot of opportunities to volunteer and a lot of desire to do good in our community. And so, it's really a good opportunity for United Way to try to coordinate some of those resources, but also just for the community as a whole. So, I think, I don't know if that fully answers your question, but if you're interested in volunteering opportunities, Mary, whether that's you, the Chamber, other businesses coming to the Chamber, looking for those opportunities, if we can just be aware of them, we'll get people in the right spots and connected with the right resources, of that I'm confident.
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Mary Bickerstaff: Okay. Thank you so much. We get calls all the time from people wanting to volunteer, and so, I just wanted to that have a good understanding of what might be available.
Matt Atkins: Yep. I think there's a lot.
Reggie Hammond: Is there anything that you can think of as you look forward through the lens of United Way that you see as a substantial challenge for United Way? Anything that you see as a substantial challenge? Matt Atkins: Well, I mean, they're everywhere. I mean, my first thought is the book, Who Moved My Cheese? I mean, something's always going to be moving. We've always got to be looking for ways to stay relevant in our community, whether that's fundraising or providing benefits to the community, those needs are evolving constantly as well. When we had the sort of twin storms in 2017, it created an entirely new need that we didn't have the year before that. And then, of course, Hurricane Michael expanded that need, then COVID hit us, and it changed the needs within our community tremendously. Matt Atkins: And we spent a lot of last year talking about education and how are we going to make sure that our students who now were in a virtual environment without the resources largely in our community, that we're conducive to that virtual environment, how are we going to keep them on a path to success? So there's challenges everywhere, there's fundraising challenges, but then, importantly, there's challenges in identifying the needs of the community. So, I think we're just constantly evolving, and always on the lookout for what's next for us, and for the people that rely on us.
Reggie Hammond: Okay. Anyone else sees substantial challenges?
Rachelle K. Scott: I think there's an opportunity that kind of dovetails off of what Matt was saying, and that is, in addition to those needs growing or increasing in certain areas, then there're constraints with the donors as well because they may be experiencing challenges too or hardships that would prevent them from releasing those funds into the community versus kind of focusing inward onto their own needs and things that they have to provide within their household. So, to really still tap into the heart of those or finding ways to do more with less whatever has to be done in order to still meet those needs that, one, are growing, or at least in particular areas as we have a different landscape, and things will change depending on natural disaster, or pandemic, or other things that we've seen in the past. Rachelle K. Scott: But we know that we are resilient, this community does rise to the occasion. But part of what I've found even working with Procter & Gamble, that concept of doing more with less, it needs to apply throughout. It's not just the business sector or for-profit trying to stretch the dollar and be very creative,
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a lot of in kind donations or whatever can be done. Just kind of thinking about how to still meet those needs, recognizing that the donors also may be facing some hardship. Reggie Hammond: Okay. Okay. When you think about all that's going on currently, can you think of any kind of trends or changes at play currently that align well with United Way's strengths? I'm kind of addressing kind of positioning. So, United Way has a set of strengths, and if you think about things that are kind of happening and you address some of right, but if you think about things that are current, like, trending now, or kind of current issues, what of those do you think align well with United Way's strengths? Matt Atkins: Thinking about people's careers, one of the big things that younger folks are really focused on is having a purpose in their career. And I think United Way does that pretty well. We have a really solid passion for helping our community, we have a solid passion for helping other not-for-profits in our community, so, again, we can meet the needs of all of our various stakeholder groups, whether that's our donors or the people that are relying on the services that we're providing. Matt Atkins: So I think that we may have an opportunity to align the passions that people are so focused on right now, and making sure that their work has purpose. We may be able to help lead them to that purpose, whether that's helping the business identify their purpose in the community if it's not readily apparent to them, or helping those individuals realizing what their purpose is, why they're here, and how they're impacting others, regardless of what their role in the community is. I mean, I think each of us has been impacted by various people throughout our community. Maybe that's where part of our role lies, is helping folks realize that. Reggie Hammond: I'll have to pay you for that advertisement later. That's pretty amazing. Anyone else? Anything else has come to mind as a gap or a challenge maybe that United Way is well positioned to address? How about threats? Anything feel like a threat to United Way unrecognized? Matt Atkins: I mean, again, they're always there. And so, we're going to do our best to recognize what they are at the time. They're going to evolve over the years. The threats that we saw five years ago are not the threats that we're seeing today. Rachelle K. Scott: I'd also add, as far as an opportunity to consider with the continued online presence of different agencies, people may want to directly connect with those programs and not go through the United Way. So, there's still funding occurring, let's say, Boys & Girls Club, if they have online giving, click this button on the website or send a message, text message, to something for giving, they're still getting money to the needed program or activity, but it wouldn't be through United Way. So that's one thing I guess I can see as you also mentioned Albany State, it just made me think about their Giving Tuesday or whatever, they send stuff out, and it's like, yep, you can just at the palm of your hand, right at your fingertips, have
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a means to give within five minutes. And that, to me, would be an opportunity to consider for the United Way as well as some of these agencies are under that umbrella I spoke of earlier.
Reggie Hammond: Okay. Okay.
Mary Bickerstaff: I can definitely see that as a challenge. We've had some of that here at the Chamber as well. Reggie Hammond: Okay. Let's shift gears a bit, and I loved your language earlier, Rachelle, talk about the future. And the question I would ask is, what do you think United Way should want to achieve in its future? What should United Way want to achieve in its future? Matt Atkins: I think we should desire to be the premier not-for-profit in the community that people want to give their monies to because they know that we're going to make the most impact in the community. I mean, I don't know what else we would try to achieve other than that, because it's sort of all encompassing, right?
Reggie Hammond: Right.
Matt Atkins: Everybody wants to give to United Way. The reason they want to give to United Way is because we're going to have the greatest impact on our community. What greater role could we fill than that?
Reggie Hammond: Okay. Mary Bickerstaff: I agree-
Rachelle K. Scott: I also... Oh, go ahead, Mary.
Mary Bickerstaff: I agree with that statement. And I think it's important to just continue to maintain that great reputation, because people are going to do business, they're going to give to organizations that they trust to do the right thing. So they know you, they like you, they trust you, they respect you to do the right thing, and they'll continue to give. So, you want to continue to achieve that level of excellence.
Reggie Hammond: Mm-hmm (affirmative) That's great. Rachelle.
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Rachelle K. Scott: Yes. I agree with everything that was said by Matt and Mary, and I'd also add maybe the element of communication and awareness as to the benefit of giving with United Way. I know that I have not seen as many ads, and because the kickoffs have been more virtual or out of sight for me for whatever reason, it's one of those things I know that we have the success stories usually where people will come and talk about what the United Way dollars have meant to them or the donations, how they've been spent. Rachelle K. Scott: I'm presuming that there's still the quarterly meetings from a perspective of fiduciary accountability, and making sure that the outcomes are being measured in that. But the community, the broader community, do they get to see just how much good the United Way is doing with the contributions, and being able to see how much more could be done if they gave more. And what, from the aspiration standpoint, what could be done with this amount of money, if it was a million dollars last year, what could 1.3 million or 1.5 million? Just kind of thinking about it when you're visioning and stretching forth and having a goal. It's like, what do you plan to deliver? And then be accountable to that, and reporting, and celebrating that success, and hoping to broadcast the message, and letting the broader community know just what the United Way is doing, and then that garners more trust, and then the dollars will follow, I believe. Reggie Hammond: Yeah. Okay. Okay. Is there anything that, when you think about United Way's purpose, that people are really passionate about? Matt Atkins: That's very individualized in what people want to give or volunteer with. My personal passion lies more with lifting people out of poverty. That would be my preference, is to rise our entire community out of poverty because this is a very impoverished community, as I'm sure you know, having grown up here and having family here, it certainly makes the news and often it's shed in a negative light, but there's so much opportunity here for that. And there's a number of organizations that are working to do exactly that, is lift people out of poverty and stop the downward trend for individuals and young people. So, that's where my passion lies, but we have members of our board from really all across walks of life, and some are so incredibly focused on health, some are so incredibly focused on the education components. And they all work together, which is why we feel like we're doing such a great job in our community, and why we feel like we're well poised to do an even better job within our community, because we have that shared focus, although different passions as components of that focus. Matt Atkins: So, there again, I think that's going to be individually messaged and tailored, but that also, to me, creates opportunities to further tailor our marketing and our fundraising efforts to those individuals. This is isn't, okay, well, give to United Way, and you're going to give to all four of these pillars, why don't we just tailor those messages so that people can give to what they're most passionate about? We'll respect the donors' wishes, we'll make sure that their funds, if they choose to do so, or go in towards health, or towards income, or towards education, we'll be sure to respect our donors' wishes.
Reggie Hammond:
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Absolutely.
Rachelle K. Scott: Yes. And I remember the days where just the agencies were listed on our donor card and you could select the ones you wanted them to go to, and then it funneled down to the four areas that Matt mentioned. And even from there, they ask, as in a lot of the places that you give to, those entities will ask you to just have an open allowance for them to designate the dollars to where they believe it's most needed. And either way, as Matt said, there're some passions around whatever was important to you. When I started, it was education. Not being from here, I knew that I was going to raise my children in Albany, and I had a personal connection which made it easy to give and throw myself off into all things education related. Rachelle K. Scott: And then Easterseals birthed out of that due to a personal familial connection with the disabilities. So, it really was very similar, but I did allow the dollars to go to wherever was most needed. But again, that was the reason I mentioned too, around, if there's an individual that has a personal affinity for a particular agency, or their cause, or their mission, they may decide yep, Lily Pad, that's it, that's where I'm giving my money, and it's easy to give because I can just write a check to them, or like I said, the electronic button click easy type approach. Rachelle K. Scott: So, figuring out, making sure that as the tides have changed, that the needs haven't. Or where, because I think at some point education was 40-something percent, so in terms of the dollars allocated, just assessing the landscape and making sure that those are still the right percentages, and then even recognizing the areas of giving. I think basic needs captures a lot, so you can always say, yep, that flows there, but just making sure that from the community data and the counties that are being represented that the dollars are being allocated accordingly would be my thing. Reggie Hammond: Okay. All right. When you think about what you would like to see as measures that will let you know whether United Way is on track to achieve success, what measures come to mind? Mary Bickerstaff: I think it goes back to that storytelling where you see what good dollars are being spent in the certain areas and the impact that they've made. So, testimonials from the different agencies would be a great thing to hear more of, and that will brand and tell United Way's story even more.
Reggie Hammond: Okay. Awesome. Anyone else?
Matt Atkins: Yeah. I mean, I'm an accounting nerd, so I like to quantify things, but much of what doing can't be quantified. And so, then we have to be more and more deliberate about telling these stories as Rachelle mentioned earlier. And so, we've talked about various ideas to tell these stories, whether that's weekly, biweekly, monthly, personalized stories, almost like a thesis of United Way to show the people that
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