Members of the business community were invited to brainstorm during a focus group at the Weyburn and District United Way's annual general meeting on Wednesday night. The focus of discussions revolved getting the business community more aware of the United Way, more involved with fundraising activities, and ensuring that appreciation for support was shown.
The United Way annually raises money from donors for their member agencies' programs and to assist in helping with any needs the consumers of the member agencies might have. The main fundraising drive by the United Way has been the Communithon, which marks its 30th anniversary in October.
One of the successes celebrated by the United Way was the fact that in 2010 they surpassed their goal of $127,900 by raising $155,685 while still on-air during their 33-hour event. "With these funds it helps pay out the full allocation to the member agencies, and to add to our reserves," said CJ Mainil, president of the Weyburn and District United Way.
"The reserve money is held due to a possibility that in future years the donations may not be sufficient to meet the allocation needs of our member agencies," explained Mainil. "There may also be some unforeseen contingency or unusual need that requires additional money."
The 2010 Communithon was the first time it was aired live on the Internet, allowing for donations from across Canada, the United States and other countries. It was also the first year that a debit and credit card machine was available for donation purposes.
To ensure assistance to the member agencies, the United Way is active year-round. "From January to March the board is recruiting for board members, planning the annual meeting and reviewing the policies and procedures of the United Way," explained Sandy Alexander, executive director of the Weyburn and District United Way.
"During the months of April and May, the member agencies submit their applications for funding to the United Way and during May and June the United Way works on analyzing the applications to determine the allocations for the following year."
"The first steps to putting together the Communithon committee begin in May and June, so that when September and October rolls around it is the Communithon that takes over our planning and activities. Then in November and December we are busy with analyzing what went right, what could be done better, collecting the pledges and preparing for the year end."
For the financial statements for 2010, the Weyburn and District United Way reported revenue at $191,085, an increase from the $155,421 in 2009 due mostly to increased donations. The total program expenses were $128,826, a decrease from the $155,691 reported in 2009. This leaves the United Way with an excess of $42,175.
The member agencies that will be assisted in 2011 include the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Sask.) Inc., the Canadian Red Cross, the Envision Counselling and Support Centre, the Sask. Abilities Council, the Arthritis Society, the Weyburn and Area Supportive Employment Services, the Weyburn and Area Early Childhood Intervention Program, the Weyburn Big Brothers Big Sisters Association, the Weyburn Care-A-Van Society, and the Weyburn Special Care Home Auxiliary.
