Ken Benning, Jennifer Mrozek, Jennifer Dahlstrom-Lage, Shawn Kohout, Katie Manar, Brad Aanstad are local women and men who serve as leaders of United Way Community Investment Teams.
There are six teams of volunteers, composed of 7 to 9 local people. Each team reviews a set of funding proposals submitted by area non profits that have been invited to apply in this 3rd year of United Way’s three-year funding cycle. They conduct site visits with each program and make funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors, who are also community volunteers. A checklist of criteria is used to review each application … looking at factors such as ultimate impact of the service in improving people’s lives and sound fiscal management.
This process, engaging community members in key decision making, happens every year. It is dynamic and challenging. Volunteers learn about the impact of human services and gain an increased understanding of local need. They get to know some very fine people who are their team members from a wide range of walks of life.
These decisions are difficult ones. There is tremendous need and many issues facing local families are complex. Many families, in order to turn things around in their families, utilize the services of several agencies. Most non profits operate with very tight budgets, limited and talented staff and many volunteers.
I applaud these volunteers who commit many hours pouring through proposals with the goal of identifying the services with the greatest impact and ability to use United Way donated funds in ways that truly make a difference in the highest priority areas.
If you think you would be interested in this type of volunteer role in the future, contact me: (320) 229-3507 or email: bschnettler@unitedwayhelps.org
No comments:
Post a Comment