Imagine the disruption in the community if any of the 16 Rowan County United Way member agencies lost services for one day. It’s the question Dr. Jim Duncan, chair of this year’s campaign, posed to a room full of United Way volunteers and supporters.
“They are all critical to our citizens and in many cases, visitors of Rowan County,” Duncan said.
Supporters gathered Wednesday at Livingstone College to reveal the campaign theme and logo before the campaign gets underway. The United Way is in the midst of finalizing its campaign cabinet, which will determine this year’s campaign goal. The campaign doesn’t officially start until after the fall kick-off event.
Each table was decorated with fresh greens, and Duncan donned overalls and a hat to unveil this year’s theme — “Raised Here. Stays Here.” . The theme and logo were a mystery for much of the meeting until near the end. A few members of this year’s public relation’s committee dressed as fruits and vegetables such as a carrot, grapes and broccoli, driving home the idea of local money raised during the campaign staying local to benefit local people.
The volunteers, dressed in costume, led a lively conga line to the song “Gangnam Style” around the room.
“We are not just a team, but we are the team players for the 2013 local United Way campaign,” Duncan said.
Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy Jenkins welcomed attendees and pledged the college’s support during the upcoming campaign. Jenkins said he’ll challenge Livingstone to become a major partner and supporter.
“It ain’t bragging if you can back it up,” Jenkins said with a laugh.
He said he wants to help all people in the community have a better quality of life.
“As volunteers, our job is working for agencies to get you what you need,” said Greg Dunn, vice chairman of the campaign.
Duncan said the focus is to make people in the community more aware of the agencies. Duncan said some 140,000 people in the county have not had someone speak to them about the United Way and its member agencies.
“We are relying on our companies, public services, businesses and our educational institutions. They are the key to the success of the campaign,” Duncan said.
He said being part of the United Way member agencies is similar to receiving the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
Duncan asked the crowd to stand and face others at the table. “Now lean into that table for me,” he said.
He told the group to look around. “We are it. We have all got to lean into our campaign and lean into each other. Cabinet, you need to lean into the agencies and your accounts, and agencies, you need to lean into the cabinet and your clients. The more we lean into each other for support and coordination, the more successful we will be,” Duncan said.
He said he’ll be leaning into all of them and especially leaning on Jesus.
Everyone received a packet of seeds labeled Seeds for Thought. On the back of the packets were planting instructions to spread the word about the United Way via social networking sites and word-of-mouth, and to learn about the agencies and to give in support of them.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: www.twitter.com/salpostpotts Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shavonne.SalisburyPost