Made the right call? Enter the Ethical Athlete contest

UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Neal Rubin
The Detroit News

F armington Hills Harrison High had won two straight state football championships and was already steamrolling opponents the next season when its coaches realized they had fouled up.

For one play in a 56-6 victory and six plays in another 1999 blowout, they had used an ineligible player. It was a simple clerical mistake; they had credited the kid with three class hours he hadn't earned.

Coach John Herrington immediately did the right thing. Better yet, when I complimented him for it years later, he seemed surprised. What choice did he have but to forfeit the two games, turn a 3-1 record into a 1-3 record and force his team to be near-perfect the rest of the season to even make the playoffs?

Because virtue is sometimes more than its own reward -- and because Harrison usually has a busload of studs -- the Hawks wound up squeaking into the playoffs, crushing a bunch more teams and winning the championship. But I've always hoped his players remember more about that season than the winning, and Herrington's reflexively honest response was the first thing I thought of when I heard about the Ethical Athlete Award.

Herrington, as it happens, would not be a candidate. The award is for a senior at a tri-county high school. But assuming you are one of those, you know one or you have one vaporizing all the groceries in your refrigerator, take note:

There's $5,000 at stake, and the deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. Friday.

Take further note: At this point, there's not a lot of competition for the prize.

Deloitte & Touche and United Way for Southeastern Michigan will award the scholarship to an athlete who has "demonstrated exemplary behavior when faced with issues of moral, ethical or legal consequences."

Here in the Enron era, that's more than a lot of adults have managed to do. So it makes sense that an accounting firm would focus on accountability.

"We spend a lot of time on values, on who we want to be," says Tom Dekar of Bloomfield Township, Deloitte's vice chairman and regional managing principal. Then his high-school-age kids -- and everyone else's -- "read about performance-enhancement drugs, sports gambling, that sort of thing."

The right path can grow harder to define, or at least defend, when thugs get new contracts and obnoxiousness is the yellow brick road to endorsements. "The more we can do to keep these kinds of issues in front of our youth and our parents," Dekar says, "the better off we're going to be."

The Ethical Athlete Award contest involves an essay of no more than 500 words, written by a nominator or the athlete in question.

Because accounting firms are very precise and know lots of lawyers, there's a long-winded list of rules on the United Way Web site at www.uwsem.org. That's also where you will find the official entry form.

The winner will be honored Feb. 2 at the Sports Career Expo, an official Super Bowl XL event at Cass Tech High School. Early entrants include a boy who chose to skip an exotic summer vacation to stay and train with his team, and a girl who lost friends over her stance on illegal drugs.

As of last week, says Patricia Ellis of United Way, only 20 essays had been submitted. Compared to other, more hotly contested scholarship competitions -- and at the risk of introducing a gambling reference -- those are great odds.

If you know any eligible seniors, now would be a good time to nudge them away from the refrigerator and toward the room with the computer.

You can reach Neal Rubin at (313) 222-1874, nrubin@detnews.com or 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.

Flower giveaway honors Dr. King

UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS

January 17, 2006

Gesture of peace unites strangers

BY GINA DAMRON
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Walking up to the mall entrance, she cradled a dozen white roses.

One by one, she pulled them from the purple paper the bundle was wrapped in and offered them to passersby Monday as a symbol of unity and equality.

"Can I give this to you in remembrance of Martin Luther King?" Velma Golden-Screen asked Rose Wieczorek as she stood in an entranceway to Sears at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights.

"God bless you."

Golden-Screen was one of hundreds of metro Detroiters who participated in an annual flower giveaway supported by Wesley Berry Flowers, which gave about 4,000 free roses at its West Bloomfield and Detroit store locations. The purpose was for each individual to keep one and give 11 to different people as a symbol of peace on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"You don't expect something like that," said Wieczorek, 50, from Clinton Township. "For someone to do that, it's great."

This was just one of many efforts and events -- some solemn, some lively -- that took place throughout metro Detroit Monday. Walks were held in such communities as Southfield and West Bloomfield. A full day of discussions and events was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

And in Dearborn, at an event sponsored by United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the University of Michigan-Dearborn, more than 380 volunteers helped pack food for local food pantries, renovated abandoned buildings and took their pets to cheer up senior citizens in nursing homes.

"It was such an enthusiastic crowd," said Patricia A. Ellis, director of media relations for United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Back in West Bloomfield people paraded into Wesley Berry Flowers, located on Orchard Lake Road near Maple, in droves to pick up roses, which came in a rainbow of colors -- white, yellow, pink, peach and more.

The flower giveaway started about seven years ago, owner Wesley Berry said.

"We hit upon this giveaway as an idea that might allow people to interact with their neighbors or acquaintances," he said. "We thought that that was an appropriate match to Martin Luther King Day because it gives people an opportunity to greet and meet people and perhaps people that they might not ordinarily have an introduction to say hello to."

And that's exactly what Golden-Screen of West Bloomfield and her friend Shirley Jacobs of Bloomfield Township did. The two ambled around Lakeside Mall, offering up flowers to whoever would accept.

Martin Luther King "has done so much and I see all of the things that we need to do," Golden-Screen said, "but I still see the love people exhibit toward each other and it makes my heart sing."

Contact GINA DAMRON at 248-351-3293 or gdamron@freepress.com.

Nonprofits reduce energy costs through special program

PRESS RELEASE

January 5, 2006

Media Contact(s):
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321

Nonprofit Facilities Center provides training and financial support to area nonprofits

DETROIT – The Nonprofit Facilities Center (NFC), a partnership between United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the Nonprofit Finance Fund, announced several innovative, energy efficient installations at area nonprofits as part of its Energy Efficiency Program. Under the terms of this program, nonprofits located in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties can apply for assistance to make their facilities more energy efficient. The program awarded more than $300,000 in grants in 2005 to area nonprofits.

“Nonprofits have always operated on limited budgets compelling them to spend their dollars judiciously,” said Diane Van Buren Jones, director, Nonprofit Facilities Center. “In today’s environment where energy costs are increasing 30 to 40 plus percent, these nonprofits are actually leading the way in our community by addressing this challenge and considering options that can be applied on a broader scale.”

As a result of the NFC Energy Efficiency Program, nine area nonprofits are currently installing one or more alternative energy systems, which include photovoltaic (solar) panels, wind turbines, and solar domestic hot water systems. These installations will use the power of our natural resources – the sun and wind – to provide energy savings 365 days a year. The organizations include Cass Community Social Services, Common Ground Sanctuary, Crossroads for Youth, HAVEN, Holy Cross Children’s Services, JARC, Lighthouse of Oakland County, Mariner’s Inn and Vista Maria.

The Nonprofit Facilities Center is currently working with three additional nonprofits to identify ways to further upgrade their facilities or to build brand new structures focused on energy efficiency. Support provided by the Center includes consultation, energy audits, planning, and financial assistance.

“We like to say that an alternative energy system – because of the ongoing cost savings and environmental benefits – is a gift that keeps on giving,” said Jones.

The next orientation session for nonprofits interested in energy efficiency programs offered through NFC will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at United Way. To register for this free session or for more information call 313-226-9420.

About the Nonprofit Facilities Center
The Nonprofit Facilities Center is a unique partnership program of United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) in Detroit and the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), headquartered in New York City. It was established in 2001 to provide specific facilities-related support to metro Detroit-area nonprofits to help them better plan, manage and finance their facilities projects. The Center offers workshops, one-on-one consultations, planning grants, green building consultation, capital grants and capital loans to eligible organizations on an ongoing basis. The support provided by the Nonprofit Facilities Center encourages healthy and sound organizational growth, thereby enabling assisted organizations to provide greater impact in the community. Further information is available at 313-226-9420, www.nonprofitfinancefund.org, or www.uwsem.org.

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Ethical Athlete Award essays being accepted through January 13

PRESS RELEASE

January 03, 2006

Media Contact(s):
Deloitte & Touche
Paul Dunker, 614-229-4644

United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321


One Outstanding High School Senior Will be Awarded a $5,000 Scholarship

DETROIT – Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and United Way for Southeastern Michigan are teaming up to find one outstanding high school senior athlete who has demonstrated exemplary behavior when faced with issues of moral, ethical or legal consequences. One local high school senior will be selected to receive the 2006 Ethical Athlete Award and a $5,000 scholarship to the accredited college or university of his or her choice. The award will be presented on Feb. 2 at the 2006 Sports Career Expo, held at Cass Technical High School, an official Super Bowl XL event sponsored by Why Not Sports, Inc.

A 2005 survey by the Deloitte U.S. Firms and Junior Achievement Worldwide suggests the problem of ethics has crept from the boardroom to the classroom. Although the survey found that the number of teenagers who said they would act unethically to get ahead if there was no chance of getting caught had dropped to 22 percent from 33 percent in 2003, many may not keep their conviction under pressure. The survey found that more than 40 percent of the youth admitted they might act unethically if instructed by their boss and more than a third would likely lie to their boss to cover up a mistake.

“This award elevates the importance of ethics among all youth in our community to help them understand that accountability is not only the building block to personal growth, but a better society for everyone,” said Tom Dekar, vice chairman and regional managing principal Deloitte & Touche USA North Central Region. “You can’t have a great community or be a successful, fulfilled person without ethics.”

Anyone can nominate a candidate. In particular, school principals, counselors, coaches, parents or other representatives are encouraged to nominate a high school senior for the academic scholarship. To be eligible, each entrant must write an essay of 500 words or less describing a decision or activity in which the athlete (high school senior) demonstrated strong ethical behavior in facing situations with moral, ethical or legal consequences. The “athlete” must be a high school senior and U.S. resident attending school in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne County and scheduled to graduate in spring 2006. The essay must be received and recorded from the sponsor’s computer. All submissions must be received electronically to United Way for Southeastern Michigan at www.uwsem.org no later than 11:59 p.m., Jan. 13. Please visit www.uwsem.org for the Official Contest Rules.

“Together with the Deloitte U.S. Firms and United Way, we can raise the consciousness of our youth in getting to the heart of what matters – to exemplify personal integrity and community responsibility,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “These youth are our future and by fostering their ethical behavior we hope to encourage the leadership qualities that each of them possess.”

To submit and entry or for more information, log on to www.uwsem.org.

About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150 countries. With access to the deep intellectual capital of 120,000 people worldwide, Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas — audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services — and serves more than one-half of the world’s largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, locally important clients, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies. Services are not provided by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein, and, for regulatory and other reasons, certain member firms do not provide services in all four professional areas.

As a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names “Deloitte,” “Deloitte & Touche,” “Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu,” or other related names.

In the U.S., Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is the member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP, and their subsidiaries) and not by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. The subsidiaries of the U.S. member firm are among the nation’s leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 80 cities. Known as employers of choice for innovative human resources programs, they are dedicated to helping their clients and their people excel. For more information, please visit the U.S. member firm’s website at www.deloitte.com/us.

About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.

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