Why did the United Way "kick out" the Boy Scouts several years ago?
In 1992, the United Way revised its non-discrimination policy to indicate that it "shall not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability with respect to employment, volunteer participation, the provision of services and the funding of agencies. Compliance with this policy by agencies shall be a pre-condition of United Way funding." When the United Way notified all of its member agencies of the new policy, the Boy Scout Council of America decided that it could not comply with this policy and consequently withdrew as a member agency. The Boy Scouts and the United Way continue to work collaboratively and the Boy Scouts receive donor designations through the annual United Way Campaign. Employees at the Boy Scout Council conduct a United Way campaign and their generous support has qualified them for an award in the United Way's employee giving recognition program.
|
How has the United Way resolved its financial problems from several years ago?
In February, 1992, a Washington Post article outlined lax management and lavish spending by United Way of America President William Aramony. Intense pressure from local United Ways prompted Aramony's retirement announcement less than two weeks later. Mr. Aramony and several other former United Way of America senior managers have since been convicted of mismanagement and misuse of United Way of America's funds. A new president, new financial control systems, six new oversight committees and an expansion of the number of representatives of local United Ways at the board and committee level have corrected the problems. |
Is my United Way a local or national organization?
Each United Way chapter is completely autonomous; locally governed, organized and operated.
|
Does my local United Way send a lot of money to the national office?
Each United Way is completely autonomous; locally governed, organized and operated. United Way of America is a national organization that functions much like a trade association and provides support to help local United Ways. Each United Way is a member of United Way of America and pays dues equal to less than 1 percent of the amount raised during their annual campaign. Some of the services provided by United Way of America to your local United Way include: training credits, affiliations with the National Football League, advertising, materials discounts, market reports, fund raising reports and data, access to national organizations with coordinated fund raising, staff and volunteer training programs, group purchasing discounts, networking opportunities and national lobbying efforts. |
I prefer to support one or two agencies directly. Why should I contribute to the United Way?
Many people in our community contribute both to the United Way and to particular agencies. They contribue to the United Way in order to ensure there is a network of health and human services to assist people. Clients of agencies frequently use the services of multiple agencies. Individuals also have the option of directing a portion of their gift to a specific agency through the United Way's donor choice program.
|
How can I be certain where my United Way contribution goes?
One of the benefits of contributing to the United Way is that you know where your money goes. The volunteers serving on the United Way's Community Invest Committees monitor "where the money goes" from a budgetary standpoint, as well as programs and services. All of the agencies have independent CPA audits that are available to anyone upon request. If you have specific concerns, please call the Oxford County United Way office at 743-5833 to answer your questions. Our books are open to the public. |
Does the United Way fund abortions at Planned Parenthood?
In August of 1995, the United Way and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England jointly agreed to change Planned Parenthood's United Way status from member to "Affiliate for Donor Designations Only." This means that Planned Parenthood only receives United Way funding from donors who write on their pledge card that they wish part of their contributions to go to Planned Parenthood. If a donor does not designate Planned Parenthood on his or her pledge card, then none of that donor's money will go to Planned Parenthood.
|
Why should I contribute to the United Way if I pay taxes?
Your tax dollars do support many social services in the community. Unfortunately, we have seen dramatic reductions in Federal and State support of social services over the past 10 years and we expect that trend to continue. Local services are perceived to be the responsibility of the local community. That is why we need your help to continue these important services. |
Does the United Way support religious agencies?
There are some organizations that provide some human care programs that are religiously affiliated. The United Way prohibits the direct support of churches but does allow us to assist church-sponsored organizations that are providing social services. United Way funds are directed to those programs of the organizations that serve the community.
|
I do not live in the area where I work. Why should I contribute to the United Way?
If you live in another town or city, remember that you can direct gifts to United Ways serving your own community through the United Way's donor choice program. |
