Ambassador Newsletter - November 2013
Join us: Closing Celebration Field Trip to the Museum
Remember the days of school field trips and new adventures? Join us on December 12 for a 'Field Trip' to the Milwaukee Public Museum to experience our 2013 Community Celebration. We'll highlight our partners who have helped us make the grade, announce the Give & Win™ Sweepstakes winners and unveil our campaign total.
Then explore the rainforest, walk through the streets of Old Milwaukee, or get lost on "The Third Planet," all while enjoying food and beverages and music by RoShamBo. Register online.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual and EY and UPS for additional support.
Season of Caring Ends with a Bang
United Way's 2013 Season of Caring finished strong during its final week, November 11-16. A record-breaking 4,000+ individuals from 45+ local corporations completed over 275 volunteer projects throughout our season. Check out our highlight video. Thank you to all of the companies, individuals and families who participated in our Season of Caring.
Volunteering is always in season - United Way offers opportunities for corporate groups, individuals and families to make a difference through volunteering in their community all year long. Learn more about how you can get involved.
Paying It Forward - Personal Story of the Power of Living United
Valuation Research strives to create a culture of giving by leading a United Way workplace campaign and hosting an in-house hat and mitten collection drive to benefit local agency youth. The story reminds us that what we can inspire others to make a difference. Leading by example is the best form of advocacy.
"I was at a local home improvement store and found the best sales on new mittens and hats for the collection drive. I was purchasing a good number of items and the cashier remarked that I must have a lot of children. I explained what our organization was doing and the cashier seemed surprised that I was buying new items. I smiled and explained how fortunate I felt to have a job, and wanted to 'pay it forward' to people who couldn't afford to provide these basic items for their children. By the end of the interaction, the cashier said that SHE was going to buy hats and mittens for children in need, as well. It's truly all about the power of Living United."
- Kathy Ciardo, co-ambassador at Valuation Research and UWGM advocate in-action
Our Community Impact
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Education - Students Helping Students: Growing Campus Engagement Efforts
To bolster our volunteer and community engagement, United Way focuses on building strong relationships with several local colleges, including Marquette University. College students are ideal participants in United Way's Reader, Tutor, Mentor Volunteer Initiative. They often have the extra time and interest to volunteer with area youth on a frequent basis and help them succeed.
United Way is partnering with Marquette's Johnston Communications, a student-run PR firm to promote this effort and recruit new volunteers into 2014. Guerilla marketing tactics, a robust social media campaign and exposure at a Marquette Men's Basketball game are part of the unique marketing plan.
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Income - Helping Local Women Succeed: Annual Women's Job Seminar
UWGM is proud to partner with ManpowerGroup and 15 agency partners to facilitate the 7th annual Women's Job Seminar on December 3. The free event assists local women who are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. Women have the opportunity to enhance their skills, practice interviewing, polish their resume and gain the confidence they need to succeed. The event is one of the many ways that United Way works with community partners to address critical issues and collaboratively work towards positive change.
Contact Karissa Kleven at kkleven@unitedwaymilwaukee.org if you would like to serve as a resume coach during this event.
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Health - New Grant Supports Teen Pregnancy Prevention Efforts
United Way of Greater Milwaukee recently awarded a $50,000 grant to New Concept Self Development Center for its Wise Guys pregnancy prevention program aimed at teen boys. "Males are often the initiators of teen sexual activity, but too often pregnancy prevention programs only target females," said Vanessa Johnson, Executive Director of New Concept Self Development Center. "To address this deficiency, the Wise Guys Male Responsibility evidence-based curriculum was developed to be delivered to adolescent males in weekly classroom sessions."
Wise Guys is a national, evaluated program that has been proven successful in helping young males make better, wiser decisions about sexuality. This grant is made possible by the Ericson fund.
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Campaign Highlights - The Spirit of Living United
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Larger Than Life Signage Increases Community Awareness & Support
Foley & Lardner LLP, US Bank, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, collaboratively pooled resources to show their United Way support with giant signage inside and outside the US Bank Center.
The organizations also hosted two agency partner resource fairs and a special thank you event for leadership level donors. Collaboration is key to building community support.
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Toasting the 2013 Campaign With a Specialty Brew
MillerCoors kicked off its annual United Way campaign with a special toast featuring its very own United Way fundraiser brew. After filtering through many unique employee suggestions, Megan Mares and her brewing team came up with a tasty fall brew named Jack-o'-Apple Ale.
Employees celebrated the unveiling of this limited edition brew at their kick-off event held at Fred's Pub. Cheers!
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Workplace Campaign Teams Up With Fido
MRA - The Management Association held its first "Bring Your Fido to Work Day in Support of United Way" as part of its internal campaign. Seven dogs and their owners participated in the day of fun.
A photo shoot and "meet & greet" were held for employees to mingle with their pets which were donned in LiveUnited t-shirts to show support.
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Using Your Company's Assets to Improve Our Community
As part of its Season of Caring volunteer efforts, US Bank collaborated with Interfaith Older Adults Programs as part of National Identity Theft Protection Week, October 21-26. Employee volunteers conducted a workshop on the topic of identity theft and credit fraud at the Wilson Senior Center benefiting 35 local seniors.
In addition, US Bank hosted three free shredding events at local branches.
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Thank You Agency Speakers
This year, 140+ agency program partner representatives made themselves available to speak at workplace campaigns and events to share powerful stories of collaborative impact and local success. This volunteer role was in addition to their full-time duties at their respective agency.
Thank you to these individuals for sharing their stories, passion and commitment with our community. 402+ speaking engagements have taken place at workplaces. This number reflects the most presentations to date in United Way's history.
If you are still running or about to launch your internal campaign, consider requesting a speaker - contact your Loaned Executive for details. A listing of available speakers can be found in the campaign toolkit. 
Make it Fun - Successful Employee Engagement
Give. Advocate. Volunteer. That's what it means to Live United. We want you to stay engaged in the great work your dollars are doing in the community throughout the year.
- Give - BRING IN SOME HOLIDAY CHEER. Bring in an assortment of holiday cookies and warm beverages and sell them to the staff. The proceeds can go to United Way.
- Advocate - STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. Share the good things UWGM is doing throughout our community and feature one of the issue area stories from THIS newsletter on your company's intranet.
- Volunteer - HELP OLDER ADULTS PREPARE FOR WINTER. Through Interfaith's Good Neighbor Program, corporate groups can help seniors living in their own homes prepare for the winter season. Help rake leaves, complete small household repairs and make someone's day.
If you are interested in working with United Way to develop a customized employee engagement plan, please contact Karissa Kleven at kkleven@unitedwaymilwaukee.org or by phone at 414.263.8160.
Dates to Remember - Stay Involved
Marquette Men's Basketball Live United Game Day
November 21
Community Celebration
December 12
Milwaukee Public Museum
Business Journal Book of Lists Event
February 6
Pfister Hotel
Bucks Free Throw Challenge Preliminary Trials
February 7
Northside YMCA
Annual Meeting
February 26
US Bank Galleria
Read With Me Week
March 3-7
Greater Milwaukee
Music Under the Glass
March 6
Milwaukee Domes
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