Want to help save the world while at work?

Here’s how…

 

Hundreds of workplaces in Guelph & Wellington support us each year, representing 68% of the over $2.6 million raised for the community. Employees are given the opportunity to create lasting change in the community. What’s more, United Way staff help to make running a workplace campaign a fun and team-building experience.

 

How Your Company Can Get Involved

• A Corporate Gift
  Demonstrate your commitment to the community. Your effort to match employee contributions creates double the impact and provides an extra incentive for employees to participate.
• An Employee Campaign
  Our staff and volunteers will work closely with your team to create a campaign tailored to meet your needs. Orientation sessions and a number of tools are available at no cost to help you succeed.
• Through the Loaned Representative Program
  Each year, community-minded workplaces loan their employees to us for 14 weeks. Loaned representatives are an integral part of workplace campaigns and have an opportunity to raise the profile of their own workplaces in the wider community.
  
  

Steps to a Successful Workplace Campaign

Your Six Steps to Success are:

1. Learn About the United Way and Build Your Team
2. Develop an Action Plan
3. Get Ready
4. Kick-off and Canvass
5. Special Events
6. Wrap up, Recognition and Evaluation

 

ONE:  Learn About the United Way and Build Your Team

• Attend a Campaign Training Session.
• Visit a United Way funded agency.
• Meet with your United Way staff partner or Loaned Representative.
• Ensure management provides visible support of the campaign, along with adequate release time for volunteers.
• Recruit others to provide any help you may need.
• Have fun!

 

TWO:  Develop an Action Plan

• Review past campaign results, and list strengths and weaknesses.
• Meet with last year’s Employee Campaign Coordinator, or anyone else Involved, and brainstorm how this year’s campaign can be even better.
• Develop an action plan and timetable — put it on paper.
• Create a short-term, goal-orientated campaign — a two-week timeline is ideal.
• Identify those who did not donate last year — develop a “welcome wagon” for new donors.
• Ask your Loaned Representative or United Way staff partner to help.

 

THREE:  Get Ready

• Order supplies — basic supplies are provided by the United Way at no cost – and personalize the pledge cards for your workplace.
• Request agency speakers.
• Promote your campaign in advance — display posters, advertise campaign dates and events.
• Train canvassers with our help.

 

FOUR:  Kick-off and Canvass

• Mark the beginning of your campaign with a well-publicized kick-off event involving all employees (consult our Special Events Guide for ideas).
• Canvass all employees — a one-to-one ‘ask’ is the most effective approach.
• Arrange a group canvass where co-workers are introduced to the United Way and pledge cards are distributed.
• Promote the payroll deduction option as the easiest, most convenient way to give.
• Ensure the Leadership Giving Program is in place to canvass senior management, interested employees and other past/potential Leadership Donors.
• Monitor the progress of your campaign to ensure that pledges are being returned.
• Request that all employees return their pledge cards whether or not they decide to donate.

 

FIVE:  Special Events

• Hold special events when the payroll campaign is complete.
• Promote your event within the workplace and to local media.

 

SIX:  Wrap Up, Recognition and Evaluation

• Communicate your campaign wrap-up — indicate the end of your campaign, celebrate your achievement and create opportunities to thank and recognize your donors and volunteers.
• Report your results and submit your donations to United Way staff by November 30.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your campaign.
• Attend the United Way campaign closing event.
• Feel terrific for taking action, responding to needs in your community and making a difference in the lives of so many!

For more tips about how to run a campaign, download the United Way of Guelph & Wellington’s Employee Campaign Coordinator’s Guide, or call 519-821-0571.  There is also a Campaign Toolkit of resources to help you.

Speakers Bureau
We offer a Speakers Bureau to businesses who have Employee Campaigns.

A Speakers Bureau is a ‘bank” of people representing the community agencies who are supported by the United Way. These representatives can be called upon to speak to employee groups about their first-hand experience. Their stories give people a deeper understanding of where donations are allocated and how many lives are affected.

For more Information on our Speakers Bureau, please call 519-821-0571.