We've Moved - Same Building, Different Floor

We've just relocated from our offices on the 11th floor of the Marsland Building to a great new spot on the 8th floor. Please note our new contact information:


United Way of KW and Area

20 Erb Street West

Suite 801

Waterloo Ontario N2L 1T2

Giving Circles

What better way for a group of community-minded individuals to share their passion for making a difference than to collectively make an impact on the local social issues most important to them? That’s the whole idea behind Giving Circles - groups of friends, colleagues or business leaders who pool their charitable dollars and decide, together, how these funds will be invested. United Way of KW and Area launched its first Giving Circle last year, with Amanda Knapp from RBC Dominion Securities Inc. at the helm. The project is the first of its kind in Canada for United Way. Research from the U.S. points to the fact that Giving Circle members tend to be highly engaged in their community and possess a strong knowledge of philanthropy, nonprofits and community needs. I invite you to read my March 2011 Business Times column, which explores Giving Circles in more detail. You can also learn more by contacting our office at 519-888-6100 or info@uwaykw.org.

Opinions Wanted for our Online Communications Survey

Feeling a little opinionated? Great, you're just the person we're looking for! In April 2010, we surveyed many of our stakeholders about their online communications experiences with United Way of KW and Area. Largely as a result of that feedback, we launched a new web site and several social media initiatives in summer 2010, including the blog you're reading right now. Special thanks to all who participated and provided suggestions for improvement. We’re listening! It’s now time to find out how our new web site and online initiatives are doing. We value your feedback in this regard. Whether or not you contributed to our original survey, we welcome and encourage your participation in the brief online questionnaire found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7YLRNRL. We welcome your input at any time, but to ensure your ideas receive consideration as soon as possible, we encourage you to please respond by Friday April 15, 2011.

Community Spirit Awards

At the end of February, we held our annual Community Spirit Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations in the KW area that have demonstrated solid commitment and exceptional effort in helping United Way change community conditions for the better.

Congratulations to all of our award winners, whom I’ve noted below. For a PDF listing of these winners, along with details about our award criteria, click here.

At the Community Spirit Awards, we bid a fond farewell to our 2010 Campaign Chair, radio personality Lisa Drew from News570. With her enthusiasm, energy and passion for our community, Lisa was an incredible asset to our team and efforts. Thanks so much, Lisa, for all you’ve done and continue to do on our behalf.

2010 Community Spirit Award Winners:

Leadership Giving Award – The Economical Insurance Group

Corporate Support Award – Manulife Financial

Best First‐Time Campaign Award – Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Joe Williams Award – Joan Geisel, Clemmer Steelcraft Technologies

Campaign Chair Award - Sun Life Financial

Agency Engagement Award – House of Friendship

Arlene Smith Memorial Award – Gebre Berihun

Joint Union/Management Award – Clemmer Steelcraft Technologies and United Steelworkers 838

United Way Choice Award – Chief Matt Torigian

Of course, the really big winner continues to be our community. Special thanks to all who are helping to make the KW area a great place to live - for everyone!

Jan

Applying “Bystander Effect” to Local Social Services Emphasizes Need for Support

An article in The Record on January 17th got me doing some serious thinking. I decided to write a letter to the editor, which appeared in The Record on January 21st.

My comments, which I'll repeat here, are in response to Michelle Tait’s article entitled “Police warn of ‘bystander effect’ in mall robberies.” 

The article suggests that police may have narrowly missed catching those involved in a recent Conestoga Mall jewelry store robbery due to the “bystander effect”, whereby witnesses to a crime or accident neglect to call 911 because they assume someone else already has.

 

Particularly for those not directly involved in a situation, calling 911 can be perceived as a decision to be made at their discretion rather than a dire necessity. One could easily assume that someone more closely linked to the incident has already sought help. Likewise, bystanders might assume that because they didn’t witness the whole event, what little they do know doesn’t warrant a 911 call.

 

The “bystander effect” can also be applied to our local social services sector. It would be easy for many individuals, particularly those not personally affected as of yet, to assume that failing to support those in need in our community – perhaps neglecting to lend their contribution “just this once” - won’t have a negative impact. After all, everyone else will continue to lend their support, right?

 

Remember, the next time someone in our community decides not to call 911 - or decides it’s not important to support local social service needs - it may be you or someone dear to your heart in dire need of assistance. How will you feel about the “bystander effect” then?

I invite you to join the United Way team in making a conscious effort to not be a bystander!

Jan

 

KW Counselling 60th Anniversary Speaker Series

There is excitement in the air about the final two installments of the 4-part “Celebrating Change” speaker series hosted by KW Counselling in honour of the organization’s 60th anniversary. Some very celebrated Canadians will be sharing their experiences with the powerful and positive effects of change, both in their lives and the lives of others.

Speaking on February 3 will be Rosemary Thompson, a veteran political correspondent for CTV news and the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the National Arts Centre, along with Karen Redman, former long-time Liberal MPP for Kitchener Centre. Talk about your powerful female role models!

Then on May 17th, Stephen Lewis, former United Nations' special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and a former NDP leader and broadcaster, will be joined by international bestselling author Barbara Coloroso, whose effective parenting and teaching strategies have helped so many throughout the years.

Both evenings will be held at Bingemans in Kitchener. For further information about these two must-see events, please visit www.kwcounselling.com.

Last November, we at United Way KW were thrilled to partner with KW Counselling in bringing celebrated Olympian Clara Hughes to town, not only as part of the “Celebrating Change” speaker series, but also as a thank you to our Leadership donors – those who generously support our community with gifts of $1000 a year or more. Clara shared the inspiring story of how she overcame many obstacles in her youth to become the only Canadian ever to win medals in both the summer and winter Olympics. This well-received evening wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our Leadership sponsor, Manulife Financial.

The moral of this blog? Change is good!

Jan

Kaleidoscope Analogy Fitting for Social Services Sector

I want to draw your attention to a recent article in The Philanthropist - a quarterly journal for those engaged in the nonprofit sector in Canada. It’s called “A Kaleidoscope of Innovation: Designing Community Impact in the Waterloo Region.”

The article is co-authored by Diana Denton, Associate Professor and Director, Communication, Leadership and Social Innovation (CLSI), University of Waterloo, and Tracey Robertson, who conducted research while on leave from her role as Regional Program Manager at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. I was pleased to be invited on several occasions to lend my thoughts to the ideas discussed in this article, which focuses on challenges and issues related to social innovation in Waterloo Region.

In the social services sector, as in many other sectors, change isn’t on the horizon, it is the horizon. We must adapt and respond to constant shifts in areas such as technology, organizational structure, workforce, and the economy. “A Kaleidoscope of Innovation” identifies and explores the unique issues arising from this constant state of flux. I consider it a must-read for anyone working in my field. You’ll find the article on the Philanthropist web site at http://www.thephilanthropist.ca/index.php/phil/article/view/861/738.