The Case for Running an Employee Campaign

I've used this space before to talk about why I have supported United Way throughout my professional career, and suggest some reasons others may want to support United Way.  

This month, I would like to look at things from a business perspective:  If I am the CEO of a company that does business in Butler County, why should I consider running a workplace campaign?  After all, these are still tough economic times and the chances are good that I have fewer employees than I did five years ago, and they are working harder than ever.  Why should I distract them from work with a United Way employee campaign?

The short answer is that the Butler County United Way can help your company help the community.  Last year, nearly 4,500 individuals placed their confidence and charitable contributions totaling more than $1.8 million in the Butler County United Way.  Over 175 companies and organizations conducted workplace campaigns last year because their leaders recognize that investing in United Way helps to support and sustain a thriving community.  And that's good for business!

Here are five reasons you should join them:

1.       Whether you have five employees or hundreds, your employees and their families have diverse health and human service needs.  No single organization except the Butler County United Way considers the whole community and its need for a wide range of services.  When you and your employees invest in United Way, your contributions help fund 32 health and human service programs that serve thousands of Butler County residents every year - including your employees, their family members and neighbors.
2.       Personal problems can affect an employee's morale, dependability, and productivity.  Butler County United Way's support to the regional 2-1-1 service provides answers to the question "Where can I go for help?" and it does so 24 hours a day, seven days a week. last year information and referral specialist, equipped with a data base listing more than 10,000 health and human service providers and scores of government agencies, answered over 122,000 calls for help.
3.       Team-building through our Day of Caring can deliver tremendous rewards.  Last year, 253 volunteers from 25 organizations formed teams and volunteered for projects like painting murals, landscaping and gardening at an agency.  The Butler County United Way will be glad to customize a volunteer project for you and your employees, if you like.
4.       United Way offers many opportunities for your hard-working employees to play a little while still helping our community.  Throughout the year, United Way hosts special events and networking opportunities, and provides numerous sponsorship opportunities that can help you publicize your company or organization.
5.       Finally, you can trust the Butler County United Way to help you help our community.  We have the expertise and experience to address our community's health and human services needs.  United Way's community investment system is especially designed for our community.  It is efficient, and funds raised here stay here helping our neighbors.

So, if you are a CEO - or in a position to influence a CEO - I hope I have convinced you to join us and conduct a United Way workplace campaign.  Just give me a call at 513-863-0800 or send me an email at bjewett@bc-unitedway.org, and we'll set the wheels in motion!

Thanks for your consideration.