United We Serve

This story appeared in print alongside “The Business of Giving.” 

Current Heart of Missouri United Way Community Campaign chairs Mike and Sarah Messer have the Ropps to thank for an extra year of experience. Last year, as community campaign chairs, Mary and Greg Ropp helped transition the volunteer leadership system to a tri-chair model, appointing chairs-to-be two years in advance, so they can learn the process of chairing the campaign.

Co-chairs Bev and Allen Curtis will follow the Messers in 2017 and Jim and Lisa Meyer will chair in 2018.

The new leadership model was designed to better prepare chairs for the campaign.

“Instead of just throwing a campaign chair into that voluntary position each year, it would be great to have a tri-chair model that would give the incoming chair a little bit of knowledge of what was to come,” Mike says.

The community campaign kicks off Sept. 2 and continues through the end of 2016.

Mike estimates 75 percent of money brought in to the United Way comes from employee campaigns that happen during that time period. This year’s campaign goal is $3 million, a 2.5 percent increase from 2015. Those funds support the United Way’s 33 funded agencies.

The agencies fall into the categories of income programs, safety net programs, health or education initiatives. Through the community impact model, agencies outline specific plans for funding through an in-depth application process.

Mike says one of his goals is to bolster support for the new model. “I do feel like my goal is to bring back what the United Way was to people. And help them realize what they are doing moving forward.”

The community impact model helps keep United Way accountable to community partners and agencies accountable to those they serve, as they must provide data as part of the application process to be a funded agency. Heart of Missouri United Way currently funds 33 agencies.