United Way IT Solutions Delivery

As I finish my fourth month at UWSEM, I cannot help but reflect on the significance of the work that is done here. Last year at this time, I would consider myself somewhat typical. I contributed money and time to standard causes, yet never looked beyond those contributions, keeping my view of the world neat and tidy. In the last few months, I began to realize that helping those in need is important, but fixing the root cause of the problem is critical to overcoming those needs.

Working on IT Solutions Delivery for community impact, I am lucky to be involved in many initiatives throughout the organization. In some cases, like Operation ABC, it's my goal to look for opportunities where technology can play a role. It's exciting to find areas where technology is the piece of the puzzle that helps complete the solution. Other areas, such as 2-1-1, where technology plays such a huge part, it's finding opportunities to streamline the work we do today, while helping define what technology will bring in the future. With the Early Learning Community initiative I've had the opportunity to work with our collaborative partners, where the excitement and passion to help kids enter school ready to learn is unbelievably contagious. Each day my world continues to expand through the experience and perspectives of those I work with, for whom, this is more than work, it is a passion.

It is exciting to think that as a member of the information systems group we touch each member of UWSEM each day and that touch helps make a difference.

Detroit News: Metro area gets spring makeover

College-age volunteers kick off rehab projects

Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- For Adam Harris, cleaning up nearby neighborhoods is just as critical as traveling across the country to rebuild areas destroyed by natural disasters.

As a veteran participant of the United Way Alternative Spring Break program, the University of Michigan-Dearborn senior has spearheaded an effort that's made Detroit the pilot city for this year's firstoutreach project beyond hurricane relief efforts.

Since 2006, the alternative break program has drawn about 400 college-age volunteers to hurricane-ravaged regions in Mississippi and Louisiana; now they have come to Detroit.

"I threw the idea out we can revitalize Detroit during this economic downturn," said Harris, 21, of Southfield, who approached his local United Way chapter about the opportunity last March.

"If we are working here in the city, people will begin to care and come together socially."

This week, more than 60 students ages 16-26 from Michigan, California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Illinois are working with Metro Detroit service agencies, rehabilitating homes and building ramps for disabled individuals. The projects, in Detroit, Pontiac and Dearborn, serve as the kick-off for Alternative Spring Break 2008.

"Detroit is a great example of the first community outside the Gulf to have young leaders working to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better tomorrow," said Sally Fabens, spokeswoman for the United Way of America.

"Once the young people see first-hand the issues communities face they want to bring their involvement home to make changes where they live."

Five teams with about 10 students each are splitting their time between beautification projects and cleaning parks and removing graffiti.

Virgle Story III, a part-time student at Southwest Community College in Memphis, Tenn., who also works for program sponsor FedEx, said the experience has been humbling.

"I wanted to come and experience the lifestyle of Detroit. I'm getting to know who I'm helping," said Story, 23. "This is a good city that needs rebuilding."

You can reach Christine Ferretti at (734) 462-2289 or cferretti@detnews.com.

[Source]

Living Mission

Mobilizing the caring power…
Throughout February, more than 150 volunteer community leaders from across Southeastern Michigan, with varying areas of expertise and diverse backgrounds, are helping United Way to make thoughtful decisions as to where to place resources in the areas of educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs.

What an honor it is to work directly with these individuals and to witness the extent of their knowledge, their command of our complex process and funding criteria and guidelines, passion for our community and commitment to creating positive change.

Improving communities and individual lives…
Did you know that UWSEM serves more than 125 communities within Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and the City of Detroit? Although each area of our region may be unique, most of challenges we face are not.

As the Senior Director of Operations in our Community Investment and Partnerships (CIP) Department, I am fortunate to be part of a team that actively works to engage these local communities. We strive to learn about their unique assets, challenges and opportunities. Then, with the help of local volunteers, we convene stakeholders to build collaboration and to leverage UWSEM assets and resources. All of this with one goal in mind: to make progress on what these communities care about most.

Choose work you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

~ Confucius

A few lessons from Marketing and Brand Experience

Welcome to my piece of the Marketing and Brand Experience!

Rodd Monts

Communication Manager
Marketing and Brand Experience Team (MBE)

Okay, this is another Rodd Monts*. However, we are related.

Marketing Lesson No. 1 "Everyone loves babies and puppies"

The nickname has nothing to do with my skills as a DJ.

I assure you.

I suspect that ...

... as in MBE Vice President Kelly Major Green, so annointed me because I am responsible for producing media projects, including radio, television and other videos, along with campaign materials. I also oversee production of a variety of printed projects for the organization, write editorials, speeches, correspondence and generate other copy as needed. All of this is intended to help communicate our mission and our impact on community, while increasing awareness of our work, and of the "B" in MBE.

Marketing Lesson No. 2 - "A brand is to a company as a reputation is to an individual."

I help make sure we're maintaining brand compliance and communicating the proper messaging. This includes, for instance, making sure our Agenda for Change is prominent in what we communicate, and that we are promoting our work and the results we produce in Educational Preparedness, Finanacial Stability and Basic Needs, consistently.

I'm also tasked with creatively and effectively communicating ways in which we improve communities and individual lives in measureable and lasting ways. Getting these projects done requires working with Bruce Unwin, our creative director, on concepts and design.

Marketing Lesson No. 3 - "The client is always right."

We work with internal clients -- vice presidents, program managers and specialists from departments involved with various intitiatives -- as well as with volunteers involved in their work, to develop content for our collateral pieces and other projects as needed. Not just during campaign season, but throughout the year. The scope of the work is increasingly becoming broader which is reflecitve of what we do each day.

And while I do help produce a considerable amount of material for public consumption, my responsiblities include supporting the organization in other ways as well -- wherever MBE needs to be a part of the mix. Hmm, maybe that nickname makes more sense than I initally thought.

In any case, given the monumental transition in which this organization is currently engaged through the Agenda for Change, and the results we aim to achieve, this is an exciting time to be in this position because I have a major role in telling the story.

If you ever have questions about the work you can find me on the sixth floor.

*Note: I also used this blog to share photos of the little one with all of you who have asked. Call it multi-tasking

Home Work

Coming back home is something I've thought about doing for some time. My name is Rene Antonio Palileo, and I'm the new Director of Capital Campaigns and Special Initiatives for UWSEM. Detroit is my hometown. Has always been something I've been proud of...not just because it was the Motor City, but because it was where I grew up...Southwest side...the place where I saw what I thought the rest of the world was like.

My parents came to the United States from the Philippines back almost 36 years ago....decided to pick Detroit over Chicago, New York or Los Angeles. Back when they were looking at places to live, Detroit was the place to be....I mean look at the other choices they were contemplating on.

When I left for college, I moved over to Grand Rapids, the states second largest city, and ended up living there for almost six years (including school) My parents retired moved to Las Vegas. I was working for the Heart of West Michigan United Way at the time under Mike Brennan and was lucky enough to get offered a job with United Way of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas as the Civic Engagement Manager...my start date was September 15th, 2001.

Exactly...by the time I had moved my belongings down there, the world had changed...not only was my 'home' going to be in the middle of the desert, but America was under attack. I was driving across the country signing my credit card gas receipts, "Rene Palileo, USA" Don't know if that was patriotic or to disarm people...but I did that for close to two months.

Needless to say, I ended up moving to my third United Way in Chicago, working as a Corporate Partnership Associate. In three years, I moved across the country and back...I then was offered a job with a small non-profit called the Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, Kids and Cops as their Director of Development...again, I moved back to Michigan. Grand Rapids---my college 'home.' I made one more move closer to 'home' as I became to Director of Alumni and Parent Relations for Aquinas College, my Alma Mater.

Now, if anyone ever asked me where was my home, I said 'Detroit-the actual city...I just happen to live here in ___' Kind of weird, but it was something I have always said. About a year ago, I started thinking about what my life was going to be like...I just got engaged, had bought a house in Grand Rapids, and it all seemed, alright.

I got a change to catch up with Mike Brennan a little over a year ago, and as we were catching up, he mentioned the work being done here, in Southeast Michigan...hard work...real gritty...but work that's changing things. Made me feel like home was starting to get the attention it needed. And that's when I said, 'I want to come home.'

I know this blog is suppose to be something that we talk about what we are doing, and I thought about listing the job description that goes along with the title...but that's not me. What I do here is work for United Way and I believe in the change we want to provide to Detroit and the surrounding region. I will be helping cultivate this community's resources (time, talent and treasure) to help accomplish our mission. There are so many people that are willing to be on board with United Way and my job is helping to find a way for them to do so.

I drove around my old neighborhood and saw the place I grew up around...I couldn't say the house I lived in, because it was no longer a house...it was a brick structure that had windows broken, doors off hinges, and looked like no living thing could have ever grown there except a fire.

But I know that has to change. And I really believe United Way for Southeastern Michigan is helping to do that...the Agencies that run programs are trying to do that...the people that believe in our mission are trying to do that...the people that can help support us are just waiting to hear our needs.

I really believe our Agenda for Change is going to impact the region...it is not just a title we have for our work. I have faith that what we are doing is going to be as reflective of this community as the hard work that the city and region has flourished on as it's foundation...even our Detroit Pistons recognize that ethic....'Hard work....that's true blue collar'

R.Paul Nelson, president emeritus of Aquinas College said, "Change is inevitable...growth is optional" -- We are working for both. Our Agenda for Change is really an agenda for GROWTH and we are doing a lot of the work that needs to be done.

I moved here in October...I'm getting married in July...I'm on the fifth floor of 1212 Griswold...and I have a lot of 'home' work to do.

Thanks for reading -
Rene

Alternative Spring Break kicks off in just a little over 24 hours

Over the last two years, United Way has teamed with local communities across the Gulf Coast to mobilize the power, energy and dedication of young adults to help rebuild after the devastation of Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita. This year, we continue to build on the groundswell of compassion and commitment of Gen Y. United Way and young adults from across the country will converge on communities not only along the Gulf Coast, but in Detroit, Michigan as well.

In all three host communities, Volunteers will dedicate a week of their lives to helping rebuild communities. Whether struggling to recover from the devastation of incredibly powerful hurricanes or combating the economic challenges the prevent our nation’s inner cities from realizing their potential, United Ways across the country are harnessing the power of young people to make a meaningful difference over their Spring Break in 2008.

You can follow the journey of our Detroit ASB'ers by subscribing to their blog at http://uwsemasb.blogspot.com/. Here is what our volunteers have had to say so far:

• 1 More Day
• Hello, My Name Is Heather N. Wigley, and my word i...
• My one word
• My one word is...
• My 1 word to decribe my excitement for ASB Detriot...
• Looking forward to meeting you this weekend!
• And a warrior appears from the Darkness (Z WARRIO...
• 3rd Times a Charm
• Hey.....
• I am Scared in a positive way
• The Countdown
• Detroit is ASB.
• Hey. This is Khurram Imam. This is my first time p...
• Sorry I'm Late :), It's Nice to meet you.
• The FedEx United Way connection
• Why Detroit?
• Hi my Name is Kira Putt
• Intro to Angela Walker
• Hey :)
• Hello!
• Allow me to introduce myself
• ASB 2008, This is Me.
• Why ASB Detroit.
• This is why.
• well hello there all my name is stacy d. boone th...
• Why ASB? Why Detroit?
• ASB? I will tell you why
• Hewo, All to ASB 2008
• Why ASB Detroit you ask?
• Hello, My Name Is...
• howdy everyone :]
• Hi! Welcome everyone my name is Gieric Laput...
• Allow Christy to introduce herself...
• Spreading the Love
• Hey My name is Khurram Imam. I am nineteen ye...
• HEELLOOOOOO ASB 2008!!!
• Hello Alternative Spring Breakers!!
• My name is Zehra Imam and Alternative Spring Brea...
• Hey everyone! My name is Rebecca Peretti and...
• My Real Introduction
• My Introduction
• My Introduction
• HI: Name: Charles Pelham-Ashley Age: 18 year...
• Introduction: Adam Harris
• ASB-Detroit the Kick-off event for ASB 2008

The Michigan Journal: Hope in dark times

With overwhelming economic woes, political scandal and an uncertain future, Detroit is a city where a little sunshine is long overdue. Luckily, it's coming this month.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is coming to the Motor City, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn will play host to the volunteers from Feb. 21 through March 1.

Click here to continue reading.

Volunteering for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Since working as a volunteer for Super Bowl XL, I periodically have had opportunities to volunteer for other events in the Detroit area. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to work as a volunteer for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (MSHOF) for their recent annual induction ceremony. The MSHOF has been honoring former professional and amateur athletes, coaches and members of the media since 1954.



This year’s inductees included Steve Yzerman from the Detroit Red Wings, Desmond Howard and Glen Rice from the University of Michigan, Ray Scott, a former player and coach of the Detroit Pistons and broadcaster Frank Beckman from WJR radio.

One of the best highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the MSHOF’s Tony Filippis Courage award to Cheryl Angelelli. She is paralyzed from the chest down as the result of a diving accident during swimming practice when she was fourteen. Now competing as a Paralympic swimmer, she is a double world gold medalist and is preparing to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.

The MSHOF is presently looking for a permanent home in the Detroit area to be able to display permanent exhibits honoring athletic achievements of professional and amateur athletics at all levels in Michigan. Plaques honoring those who have been inducted are currently being displayed on walls in Cobo Cener.

Bob Jacobs
Accounting Specialist
Finance Department
United Way For Southeastern Michigan

Model D: Who Shall Lead?

We need young leaders. As the city's core gets 'cooler' and redevelopment heats up, so does the pressure to keep young professionals around and engaged. If the kids don't stick around, who is all of this new stuff being built for? And if they don't get opportunities to lead, why will they stick around?

More and more organizations and programs are pushing to build up the leadership base in Detroit.

Matt Clayson, 26, promotion manager for ePrize in Pleasant Ridge, is involved in a couple of efforts aimed at doing just that.

Click here to continue reading.

Crain's Detroit Business: United Way exploring ideas for new sources of revenue - Crain's Detroit Business

In many minds, the United Way brand is often synonymous with workplace campaigns.

But the agency is hoping that won't always be the case.

"One of our long-term goals is that the campaign account for 50 percent of total (revenue)" versus its current 98 percent, said Michael Brennan, CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Click here to continue reading.

Kira Putt Campaign Associate

Almost 2 years ago I started my journey as a Campaign Associate for Resource Development. I spend my days helping to raise dollars through workplace campaigns in Schools and Municipalities. 60% of the time you will find me on the road meeting with my Employee Campaign Coordinators. They are the real hard and supportive workers. They really help me bring the United Way message to their staff.

I have also had the oppurtunity in the last 2 years to work closely with our Volunteer Center to help form partnerships with different Schools and Municipalitites by engaging them and their students through volunteer oppurtunities. One program that I am very proud of is our engagement with Alternative Spring Break. Last year I was able to spend a weeek in Lake Charles, LA as a Team Leader to help with Rita ReBuilding. It was truly a wonderful experience. This year we are proud that Detroit will be the first pilot for an Urban program with Alternative Spring Break. Detroit will be invaded by 50 participants from all over the country to work on several voluteer projects in Metro Detroit. That has really kept me busy the last couple of months. It hasn't happened yet but already the community and internal support have been amazing.

I have learned so much working for United Way for Southeastern MI that you would be reading a very long blog. The most important element that is that I have found my place in the non-profit world. I really am proud of the work we do and that makes my job easier at the end of the day.

Changing statistics one child at a time

By Ty Partridge, Ph.D

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan Women’s Initiative is in the midst of its third year of funding four home-based early childhood literacy programs, and so far over 300 families stand to benefit.

The quick wins realized by the Women's Initiative Early Childhood Literacy Program are impactful because they represent progress on United Way's Agenda for Change -- which includes educational preparedness as one of three focus areas -- and the work is positively affecting a population in dire need.

Click here to continue reading.

Low birthweight’s tie to reading performance

While a number of factors contribute to a child’s ability to read effectively – mother’s education, socioeconomic status and lead exposure to name a few – a child’s weight at birth may be the most significant. Research indicates low birthweight babies are much more likely to fail in school than those of average weight or better.

As United Way for Southeastern Michigan pursues its Agenda for Change, which targets educational preparedness as one of three focus areas, it is critical to increase awareness of contributing (root) factors that impede progress. Getting more children to read at grade level is one of the priorities of the educational preparedness work, as evidenced by the recent launch of Operation ABC -- a unique initiative focused on improving grade level reading by mobilizing at least 2,000 volunteers and rallying multiple sectors of the community around the cause. Research shows that what a child weighs at birth is an important factor in future educational success.

Click here to continue reading.

Spring breakers invade Detroit … to serve

Approximately 50 college students from across the nation will invade Detroit for spring break this month, but they aren’t here to relax. They’re here to serve the community.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan will host the students, who are participating in a national effort called Alternative Spring Break, sponsored by United Way of America, Deloitte, FedEx and thinkMTV. UWA is also sending volunteers to Hancock, Miss., and Lake Charles, La., to complete service projects.

Click here to continue reading.

Volunteer Spotlight: Helping further the Agenda

Leadership Next member Chris Uhl, a commercial banker at Comerica, is lending his time and talent to United Way for Southeastern as a volunteer on an important process for the organization.

As United Way moves forward its Agenda for Change for the region, requests for proposals from area organizations interested in partnering in the future are currently being reviewed. It is a painstaking process involving a core group of key volunteers -- who make a considerable commitment -- providing subject matter expertise in support of United Way staff. Uhl has stepped up and says he is excited to participate.

Click here to continue reading.

Racing across the finish line

A little innovative fundraising and a lot of generosity helped United Way surpass its latest campaign goal.

United Way reported raising just over $58 million toward the $59 million fundraising goal in November. At the time, 2007 campaign chair Troy Clarke, president, General Motors North America, along with United Way President and CEO Michael Brennan, vowed to keep the momentum going to meet the goal. On Jan. 19, we did it.

To put United Way over the top, GM graciously donated the proceeds from the sale of a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. NBC late-night celebrity Jay Leno drove the prized Corvette ZR-1 prototype onto the auction block and it sold for $1 million -- in spirited bidding -- to Dave Ressler, a Chevrolet dealer from North Dakota. Dubbed the Blue Devil for its custom (LeMans Blue) paint job, the uber muscle car comes with a 6.2-liter V-8 capable of producing 620 horsepower, and tops out at over 200 mph.

Click here to read more.

Operation ABC needs Y-O-U

Proactive regional program will prepare children for long-term success

United Way for Southeastern Michigan took a major step forward in its mission to improve educational preparedness levels across the region with the recent launch of Operation ABC, and is currently looking for volunteers to join the effort.

Click here to continue reading.

Playing with words

Chances are, you see my work every time you interact with United Way. Whether it’s reading our e-newsletter, checking out a page on the Web site, or flipping through our annual report, you’re (hopefully!) benefiting from my work. I say “hopefully” because it is my goal as one of the writers in United Way’s Marketing department to make sure anything that leaves our building in print or electronic format helps you better understand what United Way is all about. So if after skimming a brochure or e-newsletter story, you have a clearer understanding of what United Way is doing and a renewed interest in getting involved with us, then I’ve accomplished my mission.

I’ve always been a writer; as a kid I was penning short stories instead of doing my math homework. So it’s only natural that I would turn my love for words and storytelling into a career. And while sometimes the writing process can be tedious – incessant bouts of writer’s block come to mind – the payoff from seeing my words developed into something that helps others understand United Way makes it all worth it.

But playing with words isn’t the only thing I do all day. Everything I write has to look good so you’re enticed to read it. To make sure that happens, I collaborate with our graphic designer, who turns the things I write into little pieces of business art -- or at least that’s what I like to think! This collaborative part of my job is one of the perks. There are so many great people that work at United Way and I get to interact with them each day!

Aside from being one of United Way’s resident writers, my days are also filled with serving as a liaison to our Community Capital Resources, 2-1-1, and Public Policy teams. I field their marketing requests and communicate to other members of the marketing team what is needed. In addition, I help each group develop and implement broader strategies to increase awareness and participation in their work.

When you can’t find me writing, collaborating, or procrastinating (it’s an integral part of the writing process!), you may also see me running around with a camera. Somehow during my three years at UWSEM, I’ve inherited the photography responsibilities, so when we have an event or need photos of an activity, I’m your girl.

United Way has given me a lot of experience and was a great place to start my career. There’s tough days and there’s amazing days and each of them teach a new lesson in my personal or professional life. I consider myself lucky to be able to work in such an inviting, flexible and friendly environment each day.

Megan Bracket
Copywriter

Phil Power: United Way 211's a great thing

The other day I got a call from some folks at the Michigan Association of United Ways saying they wanted to come and talk.

My reaction was, well, OK. But I wasn't all that excited. As I saw it, United Way folks have been an amiable standard-bearer and fundraiser for human services all over Michigan.

True, they've been high atop the list of do-gooder agencies. But they haven't exactly been blazing a new path in philanthropy. They've been kind of slow and a little old-fashioned. They've had a bewildering number of local chapters, especially in metropolitan Detroit.

So when Scott Dzurka, the head of the Michigan Association of United Ways, and Nancy Lindman, their communications director, walked in the door — well, frankly, I didn't expect much.

But guess what: An hour and a half later, my head was spinning with admiration. United Way officials really are getting their act together.

Click here to continue reading.

The Finance in my blood.

At the United Way, as in most non-profits, the place where fund raising meets programming is in the finance department. Never would I dare to say that finance is the heart and soul of an organization, because realistically, most finance departments are a bi-product of another service or product. However, like the veins that carry blood though the human body, finance departments are an important part of any organization.

Within UWSEM’s finance team there are a brave few who spend their days auditing the many dollars our community raises. The Audit Team works closely with the Pledge Processing Team who captures donor information, and more importantly, donor designations. Collectively, the two teams ensure that every donor dollar is accurately captured. Our teams’ dedication to accuracy keeps contributors invested in our community year after year.

Also, Finance Team Members are strategically placed in initiatives and cross-functional teams lending their expertise and helping to advance our Agenda for Change. Finance members are involved in such initiatives as Operation ABC and The Alliance for Economic Inclusion. They work closely with countless partners and volunteers to maximize the return on investment of donor dollars.

When diving below the surface level, it becomes exciting to see how UWSEM’s Finance Team works toward our mission. Understanding how the team collaborates with many others to advance the community’s Agenda for Change makes me passionate about what I do on a daily basis. It keeps me dreaming of the endless possibilities - not the obstacles. I believe Henry Ford said it best when he said, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”

The Finance Department may not be the most glamorous department. However, like veins to the human body, the department works as a team to help change our community in measurable and lasting ways.

Rebeca Torres,
Finance Department
United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Job posting: Operation ABC Specialist

United for Southeastern Michigan is seeking a Project Coordinator to oversee and execute all assigned activities related to the Operation ABC, Every child a reader by grade three reading initiative. This initiative brings together school districts, nonprofits, corporations, unions and volunteers to improve the reading levels of first and second graders in metro Detroit.

Click here to learn more.

Job posting: Information and Referral (I&R) Associate

Working in a fast-paced call center environment, the I&R Associate is responsible to answer incoming telephone calls, assess the individual’s human service needs, and refer the caller to one or more service agencies. Makes outbound call-backs and follow-up calls. Three positions are available - 2 full time and 1 part time.

Click here to learn more.

United Way Receives $2 Million Grant From Bank of America Charitable Foundation to Promote Earned Income Tax Credit

United Way of America and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced a $2 million grant to support an asset building strategy to help low- and moderate-income individuals achieve financially stability. The United Way Financial Stability Partnership™, launched in 2007, was designed to provide working individuals and families in communities across the country with tools to increase their income, build savings, and develop and maintain their assets. A fundamental component of this initiative is to help people obtain free tax preparation assistance and unclaimed tax refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

>> Click here to continue reading.

Public Policy

Under the circumstances... I feel a need to write this Blog in an "informal" style. Unfortunately, too many professional politicians, lawyers, and others have made the understanding of politics and public policy too confusing and complex for most people when, in reality, it's all very simple.

Let us first review the definition of "Public Policy":
1. the fundamental policy on which laws rest, especially policy not yet enunciated in specific rules.
2. the principle that injury to the public good or public order constitutes a basis for setting aside, or denying effect to, acts or transactions.

So, why then, are numerous acts, laws and resolutions that affect so many residents introduced, discussed and passed that are disliked by so many residents? And, when thinking of the comments that are said by many of those residents referring to the actions of legislators, it seems that there is a misunderstanding of the role and status of elected officials. Thus, there becomes a need to help people to remember that other human beings are not elected to "govern" us; they are elected to "represent" us.

As a Public Policy Associate, I recognize the need to remind my audience of this prior to most of the presentations I may make to them. Otherwise, if I did not, as I encourage the members of the audience to contact the elected officials of their districts and express their concerns and/or positions, there would become a silence and a look of hopelessness throughout the room. People have come to believe that they are at the mercy of their elected officials. Many seem to have forgotten (or, were never taught) that it was the desire of the majority of the constituency that caused representative to vote to change laws that gave all adults equal voting rights and fair wages for labors rendered regardless of race or gender - thus, the Equal Rights Amendment and Child Labor Laws.

As a Public Policy Associate, I deliver messages to elected officials from those whom they represent who are too busy doing other duties to earn wages to support themselves and their families. I relate to the elected officials that as more and more of their constituents are becoming less and less able to manage their income-to-expense ratio that they are asking for passages of the Calling for 2-1-1 Act and the Savings for Working Families Act.

As a Public Policy Associate, I try to remind constituents and legislators that it is not the duty of elected officials to "speak for the people"... they are chosen to speak "on behalf of the people." It's an ongoing task that starts all over again with the start of every New Year. And, I love public relations and I love challenges so... I must REALLY love my work as a Public Policy Associate.

Become a UWSEM advocate!

Ronald Stewart,
Public Policy Associate
United Way for Southeastern Michigan

A Resourceful Gal

As the 2-1-1 Resource Associate I do a lot of investigating. We receive an enormous amount of feedback from our callers and our call specialists about the services and programs that we provide referrals to. We have repeat callers who offer up information about the last agency they contacted, and we follow up with 5% of our callers to see how their referrals worked out. Tried calling and the phone number is disconnected? Tell Maria. Heard the building burned down? Tell Maria. Program hours have changed? Tell Maria! Considering that we have more than 7,000 programs available, it’s a lot of information to keep a handle on. Our goal at 2-1-1 is to have 100% of our callers receive a valuable and useful referral on their very first phone call. This means that the accuracy of our information is paramount, and by extension so are my investigations into those discrepancies.

Another element of my work involves rounding up new resources for our database. Sure, we have more than 7,000 programs available now, but we always want to expand. You never know what type of request a caller might have – a recent one involving a renegade rooster comes to mind! We want to be prepared for any request that comes over that phone. In addition to contributing to and fostering the growth of our resources in all areas, I also hope to improve the variety of resources available for members of the military and their families.

The best part of my job is that I learn about new ways to help members of our community every day – and that local agencies come up with new ways to help every day! A former high school teacher recently emailed me to see if I knew of any way that she could get assistance with caring for her 93 year old father in law. It was nice to be able to write her back with a laundry list of phone numbers to call, knowing that she would get the help she needed.

Right now, at the beginning of tax season, we in 2-1-1 are working to educate our callers about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and let them know that they may qualify to have their taxes prepared for FREE at one of the many area Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. We want our community to keep as much of its hard-earned money as possible! For more information about EITC, possibly having your taxes prepared for free, where to get help for your grandfather, or how to deal with a troublesome rooster, you can call us at 2-1-1, 24/7. We’re always here to help.