A motion by Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor received unanimous approval on Monday night, December 10, which will provide the United Way of Chatham-Kent easier access to Municipal staff.
“Without education, (our staff) is limited to some of the understanding of what is actually happening within (the United Way) campaign,” McGregor said.
“I know a number of us were on the ‘Seeing Is Believing Tour’ this summer. We had direct access to see some of the benefits of the programs within the community and to be able to understand that. I do know that is the past the Municipality has been a great supporter of the United Way, but it has slipped away. I would really like to see that support be reinstated.”
McGregor’s motion included the following points:
– Administration be directed to allow representatives from the 2018 United Way of Chatham-Kent Campaign access to municipal staff to provide education and materials in regard to the 40 plus local support services that are currently receiving contributions from United Way.
– That this be coordinated with a representative of United Way Chatham-Kent and access be arranged prior to the completion of this years campaign.
– Administration assist employees if they choose to make contributions through payroll deduction.
– Administration provide a fullsome report back to Council before June of 2019 detailing the different campaigns that have been conducted, the choices that staff have had over the past 5 years, the types of assistance they have received regarding education and contribution choices.
Tom Slager, director of donor engagement and communications for the United Way, was one of two individuals to provide a deputation to Council on Monday night in support of McGregor’s motion.
“Working with business, government and other non-profits we have been able to create a positive impact in this community that goes beyond the measure of 45,000 lives changed,” Slager said.
“Each life changed shows one of the tally sheet, but ask yourself, how much more is that life worth in value to those around them, or in productivity to the workforce, or in reduced use of tax payer funded resources.”
Slager added: “Over the past fives years access to Municipal staff has declined, leadership from Council has waned and the lone representative program has often gone unfilled. Last year, just $20,000 was raised by the Municipality. We believe that impact drives results and our recent inability to relay the impact of gifts to the United from within the Municipality has had a direct and negative influence on campaign results.”
Slager said back in 2009 over $83,000 was raised through contributions from Municipal staff.
For more details about the United Way of Chatham-Kent visit them online, here.
