York Cares 2014

Why does York University support United Way?

Local catalyst of social change; autonomousEffective community fund; targets funds where they are needed most in the cityHelps to build team spirit internallyDemonstrates York’s commitment to social justice externally

United Way Toronto’s mission:

to meet urgent human needs and improve social conditions by mobilizing the community’s volunteer and financial resources in a common cause of caring.

United Way is:

EfficientEffectiveImpacts people we interact with every day

EfficientVolunteer-drivenWorkplace fundraising modelCombined fundraising and administration costs in 2013:

15.6%

Research & ReportsIt’s More than Poverty: Employment Precarity and Household Well-beingPoverty by Postal Code 2: Vertical Poverty: Declining Income, Housing Quality and Community Life in Toronto’s Inner Suburban High-Rise ApartmentsStrong Neighbourhoods: A Call to ActionPoverty by Postal CodeDecade of DeclineYouth Impact Plan and Evidence ReviewLosing Ground

Effective

Focus areas:Build healthy people and strong communitiesGive young people the opportunity to reach their full potentialSupport people as they move from a life of poverty to one of possibility

Mobile Food Markethttp://www.foodshare.net/mobilegoodfoodmarket

United Way Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FasD98PKXh8

This year’s Goal: Participation

10%

Fine print: • pledge form—electronic or paper• Minimum $1 per week / $52 per year• Events are fun but don’t constitute ‘participation’• Support United Way or designate donation

Ambassador—the role

•Champion of York Cares within your faculty/unit

•Liaison to Committee•Canvasser

Campaign OverviewCN Tower Student Stair ClimbSaturday October 18thCurrently the Top Fundraising Team at the Public Climb

Kick OffTuesday November 4th, 8-10am Central SquarePlease plan to attend, and encourage your teams to do so

Pledge DriveTuesday November 4th to Tuesday November 25th

Incentive draws will be incorporated to encourage participation

Wrap UpTuesday November 25th, 8:30 a.m. in the CIBC Marketplace at SSBThe Schulich School of Business French Toast Breakfast—please attend if you can, and encourage your teams to do so. Results of the campaign will be announced at that time.

Canvassing tips

• Don’t be shy about asking—find the terminology that works for you

• Decisions about charitable giving are quite personal…but…

• Everyone on your team is human. Don’t make presumptions

Our Canvass

• Electronic pledge forms—UW@Work• Paper pledge forms on request• Incentives—details to be confirmed• Group presentations

How much should I give?$126 annually/$10.50 per pay Allows six women who have experienced recent trauma to participate in a 12-week intervention and support program, helping to improve their parenting skills and reduce family stress

$350 annually/$29.16 per pay Provides five nutritious meals a week for three months to a senior who is recovering from surgery

$830 annually/$69.16 per pay Provides a year of language classes and employment counselling to one newcomer, preparing them for the workforce in their new country

$2000 annually/$166.67 per pay Allows three children from an underserved neighbourhood to attend a homework club two days a week for one school year, improving their grades and enhancing their self-confidence

Next steps

• Get UW onto an agenda (or agendas!) of your team meeting/faculty council meeting before November 22

• Give thought to how you will communicate with your team about the campaign:

• Office-based, outside workers, senior leaders• You know best how to communicate with your team• Attend the kick off on Nov 4, and encourage team

members to attend

• Think about fun—is there anything your team does, or could do, to inject some fun/spirit?

When we support United Way, we are helping to build a city where every person is able to reach their full potential; a city where every neighbourhood is thriving; a city that is healthy today; a city poised for a bright future.