Like many organizations in the southeast, the United Way Estevan faced challenges in 2015 due to the slowdown in the local economy, but they persevered and managed to reach their goal.
That was the message from Wendy Gustafson, the local United Way’s president for the 2015-16 year, during the organization’s annual general meeting on March 23 at the Days Inn’s Fireside Room.
Not only did the United Way reflect on the past year during the meeting, but they elected their new executive and they reviewed audited financial statements.
Gustafson told the crowd she was a little worried about reaching last year’s goal of $338,000 due to the economy.
“We have applications from our member agencies, we saw the needs, and we knew that the needs were still there, even though our economy wasn’t so great,” said Gustafson.
The United Way raised more than $321,000 during their 39th annual telethon in October, which left them short of their goal.
“We as a board were grateful to get that much money,” said Gustafson. “We decided to stick our noses to the grindstone and work a little harder, and we were going to work until we got it.”
They reached their goal in mid-December.
Gustafson praised the telethon’s committees for their efforts to make sure the broadcast went as smoothly as possible.
“It was one of the best telethons ever,” said Gustafson. “We had a really, really good time. The energy was high, and we had great exposure for our member agencies.”
The United Way also hired two new employees during the past 12 months: marketing and administration director Debby Knight and financial officer Becky Gigian.
“They made my life a lot easier right off the bat,” said Gustafson.
The annual Day of Caring was held in June, and attracted more than 100 volunteers. Thirteen businesses and organizations allowed their employees to work, and 12 other volunteers wanted to help out. Twenty-two projects were tackled during the Day of Caring.
This year’s Day of Caring will happen on June 8.
Christa Morhart was elected as the board’s new president. She noted that when she and her husband, Bart, returned to Estevan from Alberta in 2010 after a 12-year absence, she wanted to be involved in the community right away.
“United Way was my first choice,” said Morhart. “I have great memories of singing at the telethon as a child. And no, I’m not a great singer, but it was all the fun of joining in with the class and coming to sing and saying your name on the stage.”
She joined the United Way’s board in 2011, and knew right away it was a good fit.
“We have a wonderful board full of strong, compassionate and very diverse people,” said Morhart. “We all have opinions, but we all work together so well as a team.”
It’s critical that the community come together and support the United Way, because the member agencies need the United Way more than ever.
“When we look around the city and we see the needs in your neighbours, in your children and in your parents, and we see people losing jobs, and we see the community impact (of the member agencies), we know the United Way needs to keep going,” said Morhart.
She also paid tribute to Gustafson’s leadership in the past 12 months, and the efforts of the other presidents since she has been on the board.
Morhart has four goals for the board this year: bring a refreshed awareness to the community about the United Way and what they do; focus on member agencies and boost community awareness about them; encourage the schools to be more involved; and attract more board members.
Five new members joined the board last year, and they also had a junior member graduate to be a full-fledged board member.
Joining Morhart and Gustafson on the executive will be first vice-president Patrick Fisher, second vice-president Elizabeth Pinel and treasurer Lynn Trobert.
Audited financial statements released during the meeting showed the United Way received $346,682 in pledges, but $18,968 were written off. Their total revenue was $329,022.
They distributed $230,565 to their member agencies.
The annual meeting was also an opportunity for organizations to pay tribute to the United Way. Representatives from 13 member agencies and one community partner explained their services, and how allocations from the United Way fund new programs and sustain existing ones. The United Way also provides opportunities for member agencies to purchase equipment and support their clients.
