Posted October 23rd, 2009 by admin
Posted by Neva Geisler, Director, Volunteer Engagement
If you were to drive by Julia Davis Park last week, you would’ve seen this:
And though you would’ve wondered to yourself, “What is a group of grown adults doing in a chorus line in the park?”, what you were seeing was the dedicated team of the 2009-2010 Loaned Executives and Loaned Executive Alumni Philanthropists (LEAP).
These are the folks ‘on loan’ to United Way to help us with the community campaign. United Way runs some 300+ campaigns during the Fall, with a staff of about 12. How is that possible? LOANED EXECUTIVES. These volunteers are out in the community, most of them in addition to their full time jobs, helping us share the UW story through workplace campaigns. They are hard working volunteers committed to our community.
Occasionally, they’ll take a break for a little breather and some team building. Here’s what a couple of our LE’s had to say about their experience:
From Emielle Centrella:
“Friday I had the awesome opportunity to participate in a team building experience with my fellow Loaned Executives, members of LEAP and United Way of Treasure Valley staff. I am once again impressed with the level of commitment that the UWTV has given to supporting their volunteers. It was a great opportunity for us to come together as a team, get to know new faces and develop our leadership skills.
We participated in a lot of challenging activities that tested our ability to communicate, listen, build trust, brainstorm new ideas, and execute while under pressure. All important qualities found in leaders, and this group excelled. This activity gave us the opportunity to leave our jobs as bankers, fundraising professionals, program managers and volunteer coordinators behind and simply have a few laughs in the sunshine.
Being new to the area, it was a fantastic way to meet new people, focusing on what we have in common as young leaders in the Boise community.”
From Ben Moore (Bank of the Cascades):
“For most of this year’s United Way Loaned Executives and Loaned Executive Alumni Philanthropists (LEAP), teamwork is a large part of our everyday jobs. This is certainly true for a group of individuals donating their time and talents to spread the good messages of the United Way. Teamwork seems like a simple concept, yet there are challenges that even the most talented teams face. Last week we were fortunate enough to have the YMCA facilitate an excellent team building experience.
We learned many nuances of team building and team work. How do you flip over a 10×10 tarp with nearly 20 people standing on it? We tried one way with limited success, and someone stepped up and said to cut our loss and start over with a new idea. The new idea worked, and the lesson learned was at times we need to re-evaluate the situation and take action, even if it means starting over from scratch. Leadership, cooperation, creativity, risk and trust were all vital parts of this lesson.
Thank you to the United Way for sponsoring the event, and to the YMCA for facilitating. It truly was a rewarding experience.”
Doesn’t that sound like a kick in the pants?
If you’re interested in serving as a Loaned Executive during next year’s campaign, contact Kathy Wold . Team builders welcome.
Posted August 26th, 2009 by admin
Would you take on a front line, full time, volunteer job that required time management, public speaking and understanding community needs…in addition to your professional life? That’s exactly what 17 “Loaned Executives” are doing for the next three months. From HR specialists to professional fundraisers, from bankers to chief inspiration officers, the United Way Loaned Executives have survived a boot camp of training to help us run the community campaign this fall. They will work with businesses throughout the Treasure Valley to inspire others to make a difference through their donations to the Community Fund.
Loaned Executives are volunteers “loaned” by their employer to United Way during the fall campaign. This program allows individuals and organizations to support the Treasure Valley community and helps us keep our fundraising costs low. Special thanks to our 2009 Loaned Executive Program Sponsor – KeyBank!
If you are interested in learning more about the Loaned Executive Program please contact Kathy Wold Vice President, Resource Development.
Our heroes, the 2009 United Way Loaned Executives:
Ben Moore, Bank of the Cascades; Leslie Yoest, Banner Bank; Jacque Jarvis, Boise Cascade; Jennifer Weeks, Home Federal; Trisha Phillips, Intermountain Community Bank; ChelseaOyler, KeyBank; Scott Kesler, Payne Financial; Michelle Peugh, Saint Alphonsus; Amanda Kelley, Saint Alphonsus; Michelle Damon, Simplot Food Group; Christine Campbell, Saint Luke’s; Bill Khoury, US Bank; Emielle Centrella, URS Washington Division; Alison Harry, VISTA/UWTV; Emilia de Leon-Montero, VISTA/UWTV; Shelley Parks, Wells Fargo; Brad Brockbank, Zion’s Bank
Posted August 4th, 2009 by admin
Last Friday, United Way hosted some 50 volunteers for an interactive experience “living” in the state of poverty. In a simulated community, participants played the role of a family member. These families faced various situations from a single parent who loses a job to being a homeless senior citizen, and were forced to confront how they would survive. The simulation was followed up by a brief, but eye-opening look at poverty in the Treasure Valley, facilitated by UW Impact Council Member Jim Owens.
It’s difficult to really know what it is like to experience another person’s reality, especially when that reality entails crisis, but the poverty simulation gave everyone pause. Here’s one volunteer’s reaction–from Lauren Moore, branch manager for US Bank, and former United Way Loaned Executive:
This simulation was more “real” than I thought it would be. My “family” behaved just as the simulation instructed them, which made the real life challenges of a struggling teen, a single mom, and an juvenile stuck in the middle a scary reality. I feel extreme sadness about the poverty situation in the Treasure Valley, now more than ever, and my heart truly goes out to those people struggling financially and emotionally. The key is education and support, and there aren’t enough resources available yet. All I have to say is, “Push Onward, Soldiers!!”
Ada County Commissioner Sharon Ullman attended and shared her experience on her blog, saying:
Although I have some background with these issues, I still found the process to be educational, from the perspective of truly understanding what life can be like for people who are living in poverty.
To hear more about Commissioner Ullman’s experience, visit her blog.
The poverty simulation is a powerful tool that provides a glimpse into the complexities of poverty, and can be facilitated by UW staff and volunteers. If you are interested in hosting a poverty simulation please contact Kathy Wold, VP of Resource Development, at kwold@unitedwaytv.org.
