Unprecedented success, a new beginning and a thoughtful look back were all items that were on the agenda for those attending the annual general meeting of the Estevan and District United Way at the Days Inn last Friday night.
The executive revealed that the official revenue raised by this past year's campaign amounted to a whopping $459,704.57 which was well ahead of the $300,000 target set at the beginning of the 2010 campaign.
Major contributions from corporate partnerships put last year's goal in the rear-view mirror.
Besides the usual big contributors like SaskPower, Sherritt Coal, Enbridge and Penn West who engage in employee contribution programs with the amounts raised by the employees being matched by the corporation, there was another one added to the list this past year when Ensign/Big Sky Drilling came aboard for the first time with $95,763.50 with an employee/corporate partnership that added to the local United Way coffers. Those additional funds that came in early 2011, but were assigned to the 2010 campaign, helped boost the total to the rarefied territory.
It will now be up to newly-elected Estevan UW president Sheila Guenther, a 10-year veteran volunteer, to form a new team of dedicated helpers to set the sights for 2011. She will be assisted by immediate past president James Trobert, first vice-president Roberta DeRosier, second vice-president Dawn Schell and treasurer Lynn Trobert and a committee of 25 devoted community-minded people.
The campaign will be assisted by executive director Jennifer Neiszner who has been in that position for just two months, but is already getting well acquainted with the unique Estevan United Way campaign that sees the local committee beating the rest of the nation in achieving their targeted goal each and every year through a weekend televised marathon.
"This year will be the 35th anniversary and the weekend of October 15 and 16 has been set," said Neiszner.
The financial goal will be established later by the executive committee.
In the meantime, the local UW will be conducting their fourth annual Day of Caring in the community on May 18 (weather permitting). That day sees UW volunteers getting out to assist their member agencies by doing some small jobs that might not get done otherwise.
The local group is also embarking on a community consultation project with the assistance of a contracted professional who will work with focus groups to help member agencies attain more efficiencies doing more with the funds allocated to them through the UW in a transparent manner.
"At the same time, the UW board will be looking at how they can get more involved in the community, making sure the money raised is used efficiently by staying in touch with the member agencies and identifying their needs as well as the needs of local community groups that may not be UW members," said Neiszner.
"This will help guide them in their future planning so we can reach a goal of lasting and memorable change within the community."
