Copyright 2011 Greater Douglas United Way
Our volunteers come in all ages and sizes.
Frequently Asked Question
Frequently Asked Questions Greater Douglas United Way
· I read stories and hear ads about other United Ways in Oregon that talk about different services than are offered here. The Greater Douglas United Way is independent and autonomous from all other United Way, including the United Ways of Oregon. They are operated by a separate Board of Directors, and service the people of their counties. Information you read or hear about United Ways in other communities does not reflect the operations for this one.
· How does United Way spend my donation? Simply put, money raised here stays here to make the greatest possible impact in our community. Most pledges are not designated for a certain destination. Those dollars are allocated by United Way volunteers who spend hours visiting Member Agencies, evaluating their effectiveness and efficiency. They sift through funding results, analyze the needs of the community, and make informed decisions in allocating United Way dollars. A complete listing of United Way’s annual allocations can be providing by calling our office. Our fundraising and administrative percentage is at 21%, well below the Better Business Bureau’s standard of 35%. That means 79 cents of every dollar goes directly to a program or service.
· What happens when I make a designated gift? If you make your pledge to one of
the 35 Member agencies of the Greater Douglas United Way you money is directed there.
When you designate other non-
· How do I know that I can trust the Greater Douglas United Way? The Greater Douglas United Way can provide a complete financial report prepared by an independent auditor and the standards in place for membership certification through United Way Worldwide upon request.
· I feel like I’m being pressured to give to United Way. Giving is a personal choice. No one should be coerced into giving. But if we don’t ask, no one’s going to give. The goal of the United Way is to educate our community about the social services needs in Douglas County and to provide all with an opportunity to help.
· I/we can’t afford to give to United Way. We are all feeling that there is less
disposable income to give to charity during these uncertain economic times. The
people who feel it most are the health and human services agencies. It’s a catch-
· I already give money to Church or another charity. Supporting your religious belief is important and reflects your personal religious convictions and your desire to help other people. But consider giving to United Way as a way to enhance your charitable portfolio. The benefits derived from our United Way gifts are vitally important to our entire community, just as our religious contributions are to our Church community. We have a responsibility in both areas.
· I don’t want to give because when I or someone I knew needed help, the United Way didn’t help at all. The United Way is not set up to provide direct services to individuals. We refer people to our Member Agencies, funded partners, and other community resources, the experts in meeting the needs of the people. The agencies themselves determined eligibility and amount of aid given to those in need, usually in terms of government guidelines or established policies that prevent people from taking advantage of the system. The United Way raises money for the programs and services that can help the most people possible. They are listed in our campaign brochure and on our website at www.gduway.org.
· Does the Greater Douglas United Way fund abortion? No! The Greater Douglas United Way does NOT fund abortions or agencies that provide or support them.
· Does the Greater Douglas United Way fund Boy Scouts? Yes. The Greater Douglas United Way does fund the Oregon Trail Council, the Douglas Fir District.
We are thinking of something similar to this “four shelf magazine holder”, but with a base for stability and wheels to make it easy to move. The nice thing about the unit above, is that it’s slanted slightly, and the brochures/magazines are held in place with Plexiglas…these two features would help keep the literature in place during the winds we often get on the river. The bad thing, is the base would not be very stable in an outdoor atmosphere. The second picture is just an example of one way we might be able to add the base and wheels I was referring to earlier. Though, I’m sure there are several other ways to accomplish the same thing.
As far as display materials, it will just be brochures, flyers, coupons, etc. Whatever
our sponsors choose to display in paper format. It would be nice to have the ability
to adjust the spaces to allow for the option of both 81/2” x11” brochures and tri-
I hope that gives you more of an idea of what we’re looking for. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any ideas that you think would be better, please feel free to let me know. We are not locked in to this particular design. Considering what we’re trying to accomplish, it’s just the best idea we’ve come up with so far.
Thank you so much for considering this project for Music on the Half Shell.
Sincerely,
Linda Jones
Phone: 541-
FAX: 541-
We are thinking of something similar to this “four shelf magazine holder”, but with a base for stability and wheels to make it easy to move. The nice thing about the unit above, is that it’s slanted slightly, and the brochures/magazines are held in place with Plexiglas…these two features would help keep the literature in place during the winds we often get on the river. The bad thing, is the base would not be very stable in an outdoor atmosphere. The second picture is just an example of one way we might be able to add the base and wheels I was referring to earlier. Though, I’m sure there are several other ways to accomplish the same thing.
As far as display materials, it will just be brochures, flyers, coupons, etc. Whatever
our sponsors choose to display in paper format. It would be nice to have the ability
to adjust the spaces to allow for the option of both 81/2” x11” brochures and tri-
I hope that gives you more of an idea of what we’re looking for. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any ideas that you think would be better, please feel free to let me know. We are not locked in to this particular design. Considering what we’re trying to accomplish, it’s just the best idea we’ve come up with so far.
Thank you so much for considering this project for Music on the Half Shell.
Sincerely,
Linda Jones
Phone: 541-
FAX: 541-
We are thinking of something similar to this “four shelf magazine holder”, but with a base for stability and wheels to make it easy to move. The nice thing about the unit above, is that it’s slanted slightly, and the brochures/magazines are held in place with Plexiglas…these two features would help keep the literature in place during the winds we often get on the river. The bad thing, is the base would not be very stable in an outdoor atmosphere. The second picture is just an example of one way we might be able to add the base and wheels I was referring to earlier. Though, I’m sure there are several other ways to accomplish the same thing.
As far as display materials, it will just be brochures, flyers, coupons, etc. Whatever
our sponsors choose to display in paper format. It would be nice to have the ability
to adjust the spaces to allow for the option of both 81/2” x11” brochures and tri-
I hope that gives you more of an idea of what we’re looking for. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any ideas that you think would be better, please feel free to let me know. We are not locked in to this particular design. Considering what we’re trying to accomplish, it’s just the best idea we’ve come up with so far.
Thank you so much for considering this project for Music on the Half Shell.
Sincerely,
Linda Jones
Phone: 541-
FAX: 541-
What is United Way?
Who Operates the United Way?
Why Should I Give to United Way?
How Much of My Money Actually Goes to Provide Services?
How Do I Know My Money Will Be Used To Help People?
What If I Feel Forced to Give?
What if I Can't Afford to Give to the United Way?
Should Husbands and Wives Contribute Separately if Both Work?
I Have Heard Reports of People Being Refused Help. Can You Explain?
I Don't Like One of the Agencies. Why Should I Give?
I Never Use Any Agency Services. Why Should I Give?
Why Do Some Agencies Charge Fees?
There Are So Many Worthwhile Fund Drives. Why Should I Give to United Way?
I Give to a Charity of My Own. Why Should I Give to United Way?
Who Determines How Much Each Agency Receives?
If I Stop Working, What Happens to My Pledge?
What About United Way of America?
What is United Way?
United Way is a community "owned and operated" non-
> Back To Top of Page
Who Operates the United Way?
People just like you….concerned citizens who volunteer their time and talents, not
just during the fundraising campaign, but all year long. The Greater Douglas United
Way is an autonomous organization, managed by a 30-
> Back To Top of Page
Why Should I Give to United Way?
United Way agencies contribute greatly to the quality of life here in Douglas County.
Your pledge, along with your co-
> Back To Top of Page
How Much of My Money Actually Goes to Provide Services?
10% of what was raised in the 2006 campaign went to administrative expenses. With an additional 9% going toward the costs of running the annual campaign. In addition to the agency allocations 5% goes to the direct support of the 36 member agencies, in the form of education, technical support, and recognition. The United Way campaign volunteers and donors raised $787,744 in 2006.
> Back To Top of Page
How Do I Know My Money Will Be Used To Help People?
Your contribution is thoroughly safeguarded from the time you make it. United Way volunteers monitor the agencies and supervise all United Way operations. Allocation, financial, and annual reports are available to you, the donor, at any time you wish.
> Back To Top of Page
What If I Feel Forced to Give?
That is the last thing in the world any of us wants to have happen! If you want to
participate, GREAT. If you don't, please do not feel coerced into giving. Our United
Way has a No-
> Back To Top of Page
What if I Can't Afford to Give to the United Way?
Giving to United Way is a personal matter and sometimes it's hard to decide what an appropriate gift is. To help you in making a decision, volunteers have suggested a giving guide that you'll find on your pledge card. If you feel that the suggested amount is inappropriate for your circumstance, please remember, any amount you choose to contribute can help someone who might not otherwise receive needed assistance.
> Back To Top of Page
Should Husbands and Wives Contribute Separately if Both Work?
The decision lies with each individual. Many husbands and wives contribute in proportion to their separate incomes. Some give as a couple. It is dependent upon your particular preference. Of course, it is most helpful to the community when both partners give!
> Back To Top of Page
I Have Heard Reports of People Being Refused Help. Can You Explain?
Often reports of help being refused start from misunderstandings. However, should
you hear of such a case, please write down all the pertinent information and call
the United Way office at 672-
> Back To Top of Page
I Don't Like One of the Agencies. Why Should I Give?
The United Way is a community based effort that assures givers, as well as receivers,
that an essential network of high quality human-
> Back To Top of Page
I Never Use Any Agency Services. Why Should I Give?
Many people in our local communities have used United Way agencies without even knowing…like youth agencies such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire; or the YMCA and Red Cross. Even if you or members of your family haven't used United Way services, it's comforting to know that they will be there should you ever need them in the future.
> Back To Top of Page
Why Do Some Agencies Charge Fees?
A member agency would not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay. The concept
of United Way is that human-
> Back To Top of Page
There Are So Many Worthwhile Fund Drives. Why Should I Give to United Way?
Your annual contribution to the United Way lets you help thousands of local people
annually, through 36 individual member agencies. These agencies cover the broadest
range of human-
> Back To Top of Page
I Give to a Charity of My Own. Why Should I Give to United Way?
First of all, thank you for supporting your community. We all have charities we prefer,
yet there are some community problems that cannot be solved by a single organization
alone. United Way's coordinated planning and needs assessment programs ensure the
efficient and prompt distribution of funds to meet our area's most critical needs.
If any of your favorite charities is not a member agency, you can still use payroll
deduction to direct your gift wherever you'd like it to go, through the Donor Choice
program. Just write in on your pledge card. (It must be an IRS recognized non-
> Back To Top of Page
Who Determines How Much Each Agency Receives?
The United Way Allocations Committee, comprised of more than 40 volunteers representing all facets of our community, study and evaluate member agencies. They then make funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. Each year the committee thoroughly reviews every agency's financial records and service programs to ensure that they are fiscally sound and that they fit within the framework of community need.
> Back To Top of Page
If I Stop Working, What Happens to My Pledge?
Your pledge to United Way is made in good faith, and is based on your present position and earnings. Should you become unemployed, you are completely and immediately absolved of your pledge for that period, if you are on the payroll deduction plan. When you resume work, you can choose to reinstate your pledge to United Way.
> Back To Top of Page
What About United Way of America?
After carefully monitoring the actions taken by United Way of America in response to misconduct in early 1992, the Greater Douglas United Way Board of Directors feel that the issues have been appropriately addressed. It was agreed that the best way to serve our community would be to regain our benefits by renewing our membership. Membership dues total 1% of what is raised. It is important to note that the Greater Douglas United Way is an autonomous organization and answers to no one but you, the donor.
> Back To Top of Page
