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First Posted: 8/7/2013
Those who have kept up with any of the news about the United Way of Wyoming Valley recently or have followed my writings in these editorial attempts will recall that the United Way has embarked on a three year strategic planning process that is ambitious and has the potential to be transformational.
We have completed the critical first year and the initial phase of the process and I couldn’t be more excited. When finished, we expect the plan will strengthen the United Way’s leadership capacity and better help us facilitate positive and lasting change in the community we call home.
In this first phase, we have documented hundreds of conversations with area residents to ascertain their aspirations for the Wyoming Valley and how to overcome the challenges facing us. What has been so encouraging and uplifting about these conversations is how deeply so many people care about our community and, more importantly, how deeply we care about one another other.
One of the many points repeated over and over again was the genuine desire to be more informed about the human service needs that exist locally and how to become involved in addressing them. We were a bit surprised at first, but the comments were made so often and the desire to re-engage a spirit of local volunteerism was so seemingly strong, this needed to be an immediate action item for the United Way.
People often ask what they can do to make a difference. How refreshing! As a result, the United Way has recently invested in a donor and volunteer software system called “Get Connected.” It is an easy-to-use, on-line tool that matches the donors, advocates and volunteers with meaningful opportunities throughout the community. We spent a few days introducing area non-profit agencies to the system and training them to input their needs and volunteer opportunities. The system is now ready to go. It could be accessed by visiting our website at www.unitedwaywb.org and clicking the volunteer tab on the top of the page.
Many of us already know that volunteerism is a wonderful way to put your personal values into action, and acts of kindness, no matter the size, can have a significant impact on those in need.
In fact, the former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kofi Annan, believes that “if our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than just wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.”
Engaging more volunteers in service to others can be empowering… for you and those you may be helping. There is always much to do and we encourage you to be part of the United Way mission by advocating, volunteering and giving.
If you are looking for an immediate opportunity to help, our Women’s Leadership Council is recruiting volunteers for the “Mac & Cheese & ABCs” food packing event on August 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. In two short hours, our goal is to pack 46,000 meals which will be distributed to local day care facilities for at-risk children and their families. Volunteer positions are still open. Please go to our website or call us to register.
The United Way of Wyoming Valley is aggressively working to ensure our efforts have an even greater impact in promoting the common good for all. We are most hopeful that we can help build an even better community. Transformational change, however, cannot happen without you. We invite you to ‘get connected.’
Bill Jones is the President and CEO of the United Way of Wyoming Valley. He can be reached at 829-6711 ext. 230.