Workplace of the Week
Making a policy of caring for our community
December 02, 2008
A few dollars a month can provide peace of mind knowing it helps ensure a wide range of programs and services will be there should you or someone you know need them. If that sounds like an insurance policy, in a way, it is. And that’s exactly how some donors view their gift to United Way.
No surprise then that the workplace campaign at Manitoba Blue Cross (MBC) has shown seriously healthy growth over the years.
"Both organizations are working to improve lives in their own ways," says CEO Andrew Yorke.
New to Winnipeg and in his first year at MBC, Andrew wanted to set an example for staff. At the campaign kick-off, he announced a 25 percent corporate match for employee gifts, and set a goal of 90 percent participation.
"When partnerships provide greater cumulative benefits through collaboration rather than duplication, our communities are strengthened effectively and efficiently," Andrew says.
Andrew has worked with United Way in other cities and believes that by helping improve the lives of those supported by United Way agency partners, our whole province benefits.
Andrew's support was definitely a huge boost says Administrative Assistant Erin Isfeld who chaired the month-long employee campaign that kicked off with a United Way speaker.
"It was an excellent presentation," Erin says. "It showed us how you never know whose life has bettered from United Way. They could be a family member, friend or neighbour, but chances are you know someone who has been helped by the organization."
MBC raised nearly $2200 through special events such as a casual for a cause day, a book fair and their largest silent auction ever. As part of the overall campaign, participating staff were able to dress casually for a week, and were entered into a draw for prizes, including a day off with pay.
Erin says the wide variety of events meant that almost everyone took the opportunity to support the campaign.
When Andrew saw how staff had stepped up to support United Way and our community, he made a special announcement at the wrap-up - a dollar for dollar corporate match. It put the campaign over the top, resulting in a total donation of over $63000, a 197% increase over last year.
Thanks Manitoba Blue Cross. By making a policy of caring for our community you’re creating lasting benefits for everyone who lives here.
PrintSowing the seeds for lasting change
November 06, 2008
Richardson International Limited takes their workplace campaign on the road, visiting Graffiti Art Programming and seven other United Way agency partners.
The workplace committee planned a two-week campaign with events almost every other day. The team also coordinated tours to eight United Way agency partners for all 240+ of Richardson’s employees.
Craig Sheldon chaired the committee this year. As assistant VP of Finance, he’s no stranger to big numbers. The trick, he joked, was making sure enough people were left in each department so business could continue.
Over four days, groups visited Andrews Street Family Centre, Ma Mawi, Teen Stop Jeunesse, MacDonald Youth Services, Ndinawe, Versatech Industries, Graffiti Art Programming and Rossbrook House.
While the campaign remains open until November 13, Sheldon says they’ve seen some very encouraging numbers as a result of the tours.
“There’s a real buzz in the office. People appreciate being able to see how United Way dollars are put to use.”
Mark Boiteau has been with Richardson International Limited less than a year. He wasn’t sure what to expect from his first United Way campaign with the company.
"Within minutes of the first stop, work was the furthest thing from my mind," said Boiteau. "Versatech really hit home as I have a family member living with intellectual disabilities. I didn't even know Winnipeg had these services. I wish there were more agencies like theirs."
Boiteau said the tours, the stories, the staff dedication all had a direct impact on his gift-he increased his pledge by over 500 per cent!
"I will support United Way for many years to come."
Thank you Richardson International Limited. Your commitment to growth is sowing the seeds for lasting change and helping to create opportunities for a better life for everyone.
Cuisine reigns supreme at campaign kick-off
October 17, 2008
When Nor'West Co-op Community Health Centre kicked of its United Way campaign with a bake sale, it was a dream come true.
Nor'West is a United Way agency partner that houses primary health care services, a day care, and numerous outreach programs for residents in the northwest area of Winnipeg. The centre houses almost 70 staff.
Employees were encouraged to donate their best home baking to the sale, all proceeds going to benefit the community by way of the employee campaign. Participants could also enter their dishes in a bake-off where a panel of judges would award up to five points in three categories—nutritional value, flavour and presentation.
The idea for the Iron Chef inspired kick-off was courtesy of Michelle Kirkbride, a community development coordinator.
"It came to me in a dream," she laughed. "I must have been watching food network before bed."
Kirkbride presented the concept to Nor'West's employee campaign committee. They ate it up.
Judges from every department presided over the tasting. Even United Way speaker Dave Sauer and sponsored executive Christine Mazur joined the delicious deliberations.
A home-made granola square won top marks in the competition, but everybody scored some tasty treats at the sale. At the end of the day, there was nothing left but crumbs.
For feeding our appetite for healthy communities and better lives for all Winnipeggers, Nor'West Coop Community Health Centre hits the spot as United Way's Workplace of the Week.
MacDonald Youth Services takes the cake!
October 7, 2008
An old adage says the way to a person's heart is through the stomach. That may well be true when it comes to the workplace campaign at MacDonald Youth Services.
A United Way agency partner, MacDonald Youth Services (MYS) has earned Quantum Leap Awards, a 25% increase in donors and/or dollars totalling at least $1000, three years running.
When asked about their strategy for success, Employee Campaign Chair Jaqueline Wall has a simply delicious answer. Cake.
"Food is a great motivator," Wall says.
Along with Londa Durston and Janet Ingersoll, Wall focused this year's energies on boosting participation across the organization's 26 locations.
Her approach was simple—ask staff at each location to sit and chat about United Way and the workplace campaign. The carrot on a stick…she would bring them cake.
Wall says this created an opportunity to explain the campaign and various ways to contribute. Her team promoted online giving and payroll deduction and reinforced the idea that whether you give a little, or a lot, we can make a huge difference when we all work together.
It proved a sweet tactic.
Participation jumped from 132 donors to 184.
And while it wasn't their primary goal, campaign donations rose to over $23 000, enough to earn MYS a Quantum Leap Award in dollar achievement. That's icing on the cake where Wall is concerned.
With an appetite for success, MacDonald Youth Services has certainly earned a spot at the table as United Way's Workplace of the Week.
Thirty-four teams, 170 employees…one Amazing Race!
September 30, 2008
The wildly popular reality TV show The Amazing Race is back, and Investors Group is getting in on the action. Employees of the financial giant will take part in their very own version.
Debuting this Thursday, it's a show-stopper in a week long line-up of activities scheduled to kick off the Investors Group United Way campaign.
ECCs Anna Houde and Nancy Hladki, as well as events committee chairs Denyse Driedger and Jacqueline Beckmann, spent two months planning and promoting the event.
Staff teams will trek along three blister-busting kilometres of downtown landscape, visiting city landmarks and United Way agency partners alike.
It’s a fantastic team-building opportunity that will show employees how their support for United Way creates lasting benefits in our community, even just a few blocks from where they work.
Ultimately, the committee expects to see increased campaign participation as a result.
If race numbers are any indication, they’re off to a flying start. Projections were for 8-12 registered teams. Three times that number signed up and a second leg had to be added to accommodate demand.
As in the show, contestants will be handed route info envelopes. They must correctly identify the destinations and answer questions like "What is the location address?" or "What services does this agency provide?" Each correct response earns points toward a grand prize—an all expense paid dinner for the winning team.
Organizers field-tested the course and promise some challenges and surprises along the way. In fact, insider reports hint at a guest star appearance!
Talk about getting invested in a workplace campaign!
Investors Group is one company that isn’t taking any detours in achieving some amazing results for our community and creating opportunities for a better life for everyone.
Rallying for a Cause
September 22, 2008
RBC Royal Bank employees are revved up for the start of their United Way workplace campaign. They're competing in a car rally this Thursday, a prelude to a branch-wide campaign kick-off.
Organizers and race officials Graeme Greene of RBC Royal Bank and Louise Backman of RBC Commercial Financial Services want to drive home how United Way works in the community, and inspire increased campaign participation, especially at the leadership level (those who give $1200 or more annually).
Approximately 15 teams of four to five staff will participate. After a starting line pep talk at Silver City Polo Park, teams will be handed clues that plot a course into the community.
Once on the road, racers must pit-stop at five United Way agency partners to gather information about United Way supported programs or services available from that agency.
Prizes await the first teams to complete the course and return with all questions answered correctly. But checkered flag aside, we all win when workplaces like RBC take the lead in steering our community toward a better life for everyone.
Royal Bank, you're king of the road and United Way’s Workplace of the Week!
Achieving Excellence Beyond Academia.
September 16, 2008
At the University of Manitoba, the role staff and faculty play in shaping the future of our community doesn’t end when the lectures do. In fact, that just might be where it begins. Perhaps that's why there's such involvement through United Way.
United Way's campaign kicks-off this week and twenty of the Bison's best will be there, proudly displaying their school colours and community spirit at United Way's Plane Pull. This high energy and high profile event is an opportunity for Top 50 workplaces and others to show what's possible when we all pull together.
As the burly Bisons suit up for the pull, the workplace campaign committee is assembling its team, a formidable force of twelve staff and faculty who plan and execute the effort across multiple campuses which employ over 4000 staff combined.
Far from the high-flying antics of plane pull, 50 Sponsored Executives have immersed themselves in coordinating a portfolio of workplace campaigns much like the one at the university. They're participating in a U of M certified Leadership Development program, working alongside United Way campaign staff. As well as earning some much deserved accreditation, the extra person power is vital in helping United Way carry out its community promise of creating opportunities for a better life for everyone.
"Commitment to the community is one of the core values of the university," says Roslyn Howard, Director of Learning & Development Services. She's entering her 3rd year as one of several Employee Campaign Chairs.
"We’re dedicated to learning and change, and supporting United Way is a good way to extend that. Our role as facilitators and educators is all about making sure everybody has the opportunity to succeed."
It's a sentiment echoed by Glenn Feltham, Dean of the I.H. Asper School of Business and this year's co-chair of the University and Colleges Division on United Way's Campaign Cabinet.
The U of M workplace campaign itself has grown significantly over the years. It's now a multi-campus affair that involves over 200 volunteers. In 2007, faculty, staff and retirees raised almost $400 000 for United Way's programs and initiatives in our community.
The U of M also maintains the distinction of having 94 Leadership Donors (those who give at least $1200). That's more than any other workplace in the city. But that might be about to change. Other workplaces are so inspired by this achievement that they're in the hunt for the number one spot.
The friendly competition is great news considering the Leadership Challenge announced recently.
Doctor Norm Hunter is head of the Chemistry department and a 15 year veteran of the campaign. As Leadership Co-Chair for the workplace campaign, these will be factors in determining his approach. But he's not focused on numbers.
"This campaign is about people and the impact United Way has on lives," he says. "For many of us it’s also an opportunity to build social connections within the broader community. And a strong social structure is important to overall stability."
Structure, stability…sounds like chemistry.
And whether it's pulling planes, sponsoring programs, or canvassing for the campaign, there's definitely some great chemistry between the U of M and United Way—connected, interdependent, united in the community.
Thanks U of M for your commitment to community and excellence beyond academia.
Cambrian Credit Union cooks up winning recipe for campaign.
September 8, 2008
Cambrian staff really sunk their teeth into their fundraising efforts, serving up a refreshing idea for their United Way campaign.
The campaign committee put together a recipe book jammed with over 100 pages of tasty treats submitted by staff and members alike.
Titled Now We’re Cookin' the book sells for $10 with all proceeds going to United Way. It’s sure to bring a host of new flavours to any menu plan. And if that doesn't curb your appetite for change, there's even a recipe for a healthy community:
- 4 cups of caring
- 21 cups of friendship
- 10 cups of love
- 5 tsp. of hope
- 2 cups of loyalty
- 2tsp. of tenderness
- 3 cups of forgiveness
- 1 barrel of laughter
Take caring, love and loyalty, mix thoroughly with forgiveness. Blend it with friendship, hope and tenderness. Sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Bake with sunshine. Serve daily in generous helpings.
When creating positive change is the on the menu, you can never have too many cooks in the kitchen.
Our compliments Cambrian: your dedication is a vital ingredient in creating hearty meals and healthy communities.
