It seems like mere days ago that we had nearly two feet of snow and cold record breaking temperatures. Spring is nearly over and summer is quickly approaching, we are approaching the halfway point of 2011, school is dismissing for summer break and Memorial Day is only a week away, which seems to indicate summer is here. However, we have accomplished many things over the winter and spring months.

First, I want to welcome new staff members to the Bartlesville Regional United Way. Jody Burch is the new Campaign Manager and Resource Specialist. Megan Mueller is our new Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator. I welcome them both to the United Way, I am glad to have them on board and look forward to working with them.

We have recently completed our Venture Grant process this year awarding $50,000 to five local organizations. I want congratulate Community Action Resource and Development, Family Healthcare Clinic, On the Rock Ministries, ROBOT-4-Youth and Vision Onward on being the recipients of the 2011 Venture grants. We look forward to hearing great success stories from your projects.  

The 2010-2011 Bartlesville Regional United Annual Meeting was held on Friday, May 13th. Last year's campaign was a huge success raising over $1.85 million dollars, which represents 12% over the goal of $1,675,000. I want to thank all those who volunteered last year to make the campaign a wonderful success. Additionally, I want to thank the companies, employees, donors and supporters who continue their giving to the Bartlesville Regional United Way. Thank you!

I want to congratulate Stephen Colaw as he was awarded the 2011 United Way Spirit Award at the Annual Meeting. Stephen has been actively involved with many agencies, organizations and serves on many boards in our community and has for many years. He is a great asset to any organizations and has served on the United Way board for over 25 years. He truly exemplifies the true meaning of the United Way Spirit for his continued efforts to serve others and make a difference in the lives of people. Thank you, Stephen and congratulations!

We have begun the 2012 Community Investment Committee process with orientation and agency tours which were done in late April. I appreciate all the agency staff and representatives for hosting the Committee and providing wonderful tours of their agencies and showcasing how they serve the community each and every day.

The Community Investment Committee will interview and review all the budget requests of the agencies in the month of June with allocations being approved in late July at our next Board of Directors meeting. I want to thank all of those serving on the committee this year, your time and dedication to this process is very important to the United Way.

We are getting ready for the campaign that will kick-off in September and we are excited as we have already begun preparing for the special events that will take place this fall. We will keep you posted as the time draws near on those events.

I wish you a very safe summer and as always appreciate your continued support of the Bartlesville Regional United Way.

-Michael Cole, CEO and Executive Director 

The Bartlesville Regional United Way presented the 3^rd Annual Spirit Award for community service to Stephen Colaw at the Annual Meeting on May 13. "There is no one more deserving of this award than Stephen," said Michael Cole, BRUW CEO and Executive Director.

The award was presented by last year's recipient, George Halkiades. His introduction stated "There is probably not a non-profit in this community where this man has not served. As a board member or officer, he has served in over 40 civic, charitable and community organizations." Stephen Colaw currently is involved in 15 boards, foundations or organizations, including the BRUW Board of Directors.

Stephen is married to Joyce Colaw. They have  3 children: Julie, who lives in Bartlesville, Brent, who lives in California and Patrick, who lives in Virginia. He has 11 grandchildren. Stephen's wife describes him as a "devoted family man" and a "devoted Christian". "Stephen's service has had a huge impact on the education of Bartlesville, the quality of life in Bartlesville, and the services available to those in need in Bartlesville," said Cole.

This year marked the 5^th  year for our United Way to offer the Venture Grant program.This program was established in order to meet the critical needs in our community and improve the quality of life throughout the United Way's service area by inspiring and uniting its residents.The goal of the venture grant program is to be proactive in addressing unmet human service critical needs, and address ways of preventing social problems.The Venture Grant committee held a series of meetings in order to review each program request. 

Recipients for the 2011 Venture Grants are:

Community Action Resource and Development-Community Housing Network Project

This project will develop a housing advocacy program that will pull partners together to increase and preserve the supply of decent, affordable, accessible housing for low-and moderate income households in Washington County.  

Grant award- $10,000

Family HealthCare Clinic- Washington County Integrated Health Network System

This program will begin to build a coordinated care system which includes linkages and referrals to primary, preventative, specialty, and acute cares services for residents of Washington County and surrounding areas.  

Grant award- $10,000

On the Rock Ministries- After School Tutoring

This program will enhance On the Rock Ministries' after school/mentorship program that supports at-risk students by focusing 30-40 minutes a week on tutoring students in areas of academic failure and deficiency.  

Grant award- $10,000

ROBOT- 4 Youth- Robotic Technology on Loan

This grant will be used to purchase robotics equipment to loan to partners for a period of time to use with children to teach teamwork, prototype robot and programming software and introduce science, tech and engineering and math fields that will inspire children to choose more challenging math and science curriculum.  

Grant award- $10,000

Vision Onward- Assets for Independence 

This grant will be used as match for federal grant money in a program designed to help those in poverty save money to purchase an appreciable long term asset (home, secondary education or small business start-up). These funds will match participant savings dollar for dollar up to $2000.  

Grant award- $10,000

Kelli Blair,Lori Boots, Lisa Lytle, Jennifer Raymond, Sara Marsheck, Craig Wasemiller, Richard Winters, Mike Cromwell,Glenn Bonner, Dianne Martinez, Charla Vardeman, Chuck McCauley

Campaign Fund Drive Chairs- Roger and Donna Skelly

Campaign Vice Chair- Kelly Diven

Pacesetters Chairs- Charlie and Corky Bowerman

ConocoPhillips Champion- Rod Palmer

ConocoPhillips Campaign Chair- Brent Bonner 

CEO Chairs- Carmen Stanton and Kelly Gilliland

Special Gifts Chair- Glenn Cox

Promotions Chair- Lisa Lytle

Volleyball Chair- Heather Robison

Golf Tournament Chair- Randy John

Sporting Clays Chair- Seth Turcotte

Nowata Chair- Melissa Owen

Pawhuska Chair- Mark White

The Bartlesville Community is experiencing an out-migration of 35-50 year olds, an aging population and more culturally diverse population and a growing class of working poor.  These are a few of the trends shown in the 2010 Community Profile commissioned by the Bartlesville United Way now posted on the website (click here to go to the page)

The data was prepared by a team of professionals from the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, Inc.  The analysis includes secondary data from the 2000 and 2010 US Census, 2007-2009 American Community Survey, Department of Human Services Monthly Bulletin, Oklahoma State Department of Health Vital Statistics, and the Oklahoma Department of Education and Office of Accountability. A service survey was also conducted of agencies in the Bartlesville area using the 2-1-1 database.

The analysis explored Washington, Nowata and parts of Osage Counties and the City of Bartlesville which make up Bartlesville Regional United Way (BRUW) community. The profile gathered and analyzed the demographic trends, the human investment industry, economic self-sufficiency among community members, and topics related to risks to the community's infants, children, and families. The analysis is a follow-up to the 2005 study commissioned by the BRUW and conducted by the Community Service Council and includes comparisons to the previous study as well as trend information when available.

"Having this data will allow the United Way and its member agencies to measure the effectiveness of their services", says Michael Cole, CEO/ Executive Director of the BRUW. "They will be able to analyze whether they are meeting needs, or if they need to adjust their strategies or focus." This data will also be used by the BRUW Strategic Planning Committee to determine what community needs the BRUW should take the lead in addressing. "Finding gaps in services and working to meet those needs is part of the mission of the United Way," said Cole, "While we may not provide the services, we will work to provide leadership to bring a collaborative effort to the table and address the identified issues."

• BRUW Annual Meeting
• CEO Corner 
• 3rd Annual Spirit Award
• Venture Grants Awarded
• Campaign Recognition 
• 2010 Community Profile
• Upcoming Events

David Austin, Lisa Beeman, Guy Berling, Avis Braggs, Dr.  David Cochran,Stephen Colaw, Mike Cromwell , Julia Crouch, Kelly Diven, Lindel Fields, Sen. John Ford, Sara Freeman, Dan Gilliam, Mark Haskell, Steve Heidorn, John B. Kane, Dan Keleher, Jr., Diane Martinez, Anita Risner, Lori Roll, Bob Rutledge, Rep. Earl Sears, Donna Skelly,  Kent Stroman, Charla Vardemen, Mark White, Mike Wilt