Transformational Change Ignites Uncertainty and Passion

“Change isn’t on the horizon for United Way, it is the horizon.”

I wrote these words in a blog post last fall, and they merit repeating here as we at United Way KW find ourselves in the midst of transformational change. It’s something we've been working at for over 4 years since realizing that acting as a fundraising organization for approximately 42 agencies is no longer enough; we need to move to investing in long term, sustainable social change. Doing so requires not merely a few improvements here or there, but rather an all-encompassing shift to a new direction that impacts our strategies, our processes, our corporate culture, our mindset and, of course, our stakeholders.

Not only are staff roles and expectations changing, but those of our volunteers are too, as are our relationships with organizations, donors, and the programs and initiatives we support.

Not everyone reacts to change in the same way. Some stakeholders will embrace our new direction wholeheartedly, while others may feel discomfort and uncertainty. Resistance is a natural and expected reaction.

While it is inevitable that some folks will resist our changes, it is important to keep in mind the consequences of not changing. We must remember, too, that we did not enter into this decision lightly. In order to ensure that no one in our community gets left behind, we also need to make sure United Way doesn’t get left behind.

In the midst of uncertainty, one thing is for certain. We will not emerge from this transformation the same organization we were when we began. We must adapt and respond to constant shifts in areas such as technology, organizational structure, workforce, and the economy.

Transformational change is taking place at the national United Way level too. You’ve probably already noticed our revised logo and new tagline, which aptly states “Change starts here.” In the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing you to additional changes that reflect our new direction.

Throughout this process, we at United Way KW are committed to keeping the lines of communication open and to respecting the varied reactions and opinions of our stakeholders. What won’t change is our belief in the need to work together to keep our community and its social services healthy and strong over the long term.

You may recall that United Way KW celebrated its 70th anniversary earlier this year. I firmly believe that the fact that we’ve been around for so long is a testament to our willingness - and our ability - to transform in the face of significant change.

Jan