What's In It For My Community?

Thus far, this blog has focused on playing back the community voice from our year long listening effort at United Way -- a powerful and community driven process resulting in our Agenda for Change.

After over 5,000 hours of work by volunteers, partner agencies, and everyone that gave their time analyzing, researching, distilling and processing the regional issues that matter most in Southeast Michigan, United Way has its stake in the ground on three critical areas -- Basic Needs, Educational Preparedness, and Economic Stability -- and 6 core outcomes. Take a look at the process and those results here.

Now comes the really hard part; the big questions; where the rubber meets the road: You know WIIFM?

What's In It For Me?

How will United Way's Agenda for Change affect you, your work and your community contributions? How will United Way stakeholders--from staff to volunteers to partner agencies, and all of our donors -- and the whole region be affected by these changes? There are more questions than we have answers for, but we assure you, answers are forthcoming soon.

The big change will occur when everyone in our community shifts their thinking to: What's In It For My Community?

How will United Way's fundraising make a difference for people with basic needs challenges or matching a tutor with children struggling to read at grade level. How will United Way's public policy work enhance financial literacy opportunities for the region and improve early childhood readiness for school. How are United Way investments strengthening the region's ability to measure progress on these issues in addition to supporting programs and initiatives that will increase home-ownership and help keep youth in school. How is United Way research enabling others to replicate our results and multiply our impact.

When we ask those questions, a "community first" model, we engage in better dialogue and understanding of how to work together around common purpose. WIIFM is understandable, especially in a period of change and transition, but it can't be the only, and certainly not the central, question we ask ourselves.

So ask yourself, What's In It For My Community?

Email us at impact.strategy@uwsem.org

Michigan and Louisiana Lose Population

While Arizona Edges Nevada as Fastest-Growing State

Michigan experienced its first population loss between 2005 and 2006, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, since the early 1980s, when the economic recession led to population declines between 1980 and 1983 (see Figure 1). The primary reason for this loss was the large outmigration (over 65,000) of residents looking for jobs, in addition to the usual retirement movers and recent college graduates (detailed historical tables appear later). In spite of the loss, Michigan held its 8th place ranking though Georgia closed its 9th place gap by over 230,000 persons.

Read More