2007 SLC Blog

I'm looking forward to a lot of things. I've been to a Community Leaders Conference (CLC) before, but this will be my first time attending an SLC. I'm told that the two types of conferences are very different, so I'm interested in finding out what makes one so different from the other. Working with United Way Online allows me the opportunity to interact with local United Way users, so I hope to be able to meet some of those users and put names and faces together. I'm also looking forward to catching up with my 2006-2007 Resident Fellows (whom I haven't seen since January) and connecting with other young leaders. Unlike most of the UWA staff going to the SLC, I get to attend as a participant (woo hoo!), so I'm hoping to take advantage of as many learning and professional development opportunities as I can.

Lastly, I'm looking forward to the IT Forum, which will take place on Thursday (5/17) from 2:30-5:30pm. There will be speakers from local United Ways discussing how they've used technology to support their strategies and the mission of United Way. Pete Hahn and Wil Vargas (from UWA) will speak about the electronic tools/resources available to United Ways, and an Adobe Software representative will be there to help those of us that frequently use the PDF platform tap into all the features PDF has to offer.

Ultimately I'm just really looking forward to getting the most that I can out of this experience. See you in Pittsburgh!

We just had our “tie down” meeting for the SLC this morning at 9am in the boardroom. I had never heard of a “tie down” before I came to United Way of America – but apparently it means “get your act together.” And so we did. In case we had all missed the 200 emails and reminders, this meeting was like our parents reminding us to pack our books and do our homework. Just in case the metaphor isn’t complete, we’re all taking one huge (school) bus to the SLC on Monday.

UWA is all geared up and ready to roll. Huge boxes of PowerPoints, awards, promising practices, handouts, packets and flyers are stacked in the halls. Everyone’s excited about their speakers and the packets they’re handing out – it’s Christmas at UWA! (Packing tip: make sure you have enough extra room in your suitcase to pack all the stuff we’re giving out.)

In case you’re not excited about the packets and flyers and PowerPoints, you might be excited the United Way version of YouTube, which I think is just about the coolest thing we’ll have at the conference (aside from the content, I know, I know). It’s called BlueTube (get it?). Anyone can walk up to a video camera and create a video—giving feedback about what they heard that day or commenting on the sessions. The videos will be incorporated into the sessions and will be played for everyone to see. How cool is that?

So, Monday at 1pm, the wheels start rolling on the UWA bus to Pittsburgh. Just me, 1 bathroom, 70 suitcases, 31 Blackberries, and 60 of my favorite colleagues, including Joe Haggerty. That’s right. Our Chief Operating Officer is actually taking the 5 hour-bus ride with all of us. So if he makes it there alive, make sure to buy him a drink. We might need a BlueTube video of this road trip …

Must say I'm really excited that the SLC will host the greatest number of international United Way colleagues ever! Please keep your eyes open for

Peter Darvas
Executive Director
Erofforas United Way Hungary

Titania Fernandez
High Net Worth Manager
Community Chest of the Western Cape, South Africa

Maureen Grant Hayes
Director, Strategic Giving and Major Individual Giving
United Way of Calgary and Area, Canada

Maria del Rosario Sintes
Executive Director
Dividendo por Colombia

Shibani Sachdeva
Executive Director
United Way of Mumbai, India

Bev Stewart
Director, Major Gifts
United Way of Jamaica

Tatiana Zadirako
Executive Director
United Way Moscow, Russia

Not to mention a number of UW International staffers, including our Europe and Middle East Regional Director, Agnieszka Naumiuk from Poland.

Learn more about UWI and the members around the world by visiting our web site

Labels: canada, colombia, hungary, india, international, jamaica, russia, south africa

Hello! My name is Linda and I work in the Best Practice Program here at United Way of America. You probably know me from two UW products. I helped design the UW Knowledge Cafe (online.unitedway.org/cafe) to house our system's most promising practices. Check it out and tell me what you think of it! Or you have contacted me about the Standards of Excellence Self Assessment. I have been at UW for two years and am loving working for the system.

What am I looking forward to?? Like Jeff said "2,000 people" who are committed to improving our communities! I hope to learn more ideas on how to do this to scale an in innovative manners. I am excited about the conversations and brainstorming that will take place formally and informally. I also look forward to connecting with you all and learning more about your work -- I want more tools and resources for the Knowledge Cafe!! So shoot me an email with your UW's promising practices or stop me in the hallways.

Here's a shout out to our United Way International attendees. Espero conocerles! Mi familia es de El Salvador, y estoy bien interesada en el trabajo que estan realizando en sus paises (o estados , para nuestros companieros en los Estados Unidos). Nos vemos!

Labels: knowledge cafe, linda

It is great to see the return of the SLC! And since Danville, Virginia is within driving distance (ha! 8 hours!), we are bringing our entire staff (all 4 of us)!

As I prepare for this conference, I am approaching it with a mindset that we are no longer talking about being a "new" United Way. We just are who we are now. Let's just go do it! It's tough to know when to start changing the language sometimes, but I get the feeling that we are really gaining some momentum on this whole impact mission we now work in! I still remember Brian Gallagher's admonition at his first CLC address for us to "get a strut back in our step." We should feel great about being leaders in this impact work. I am anxious to see and hear the sights and sounds of impact around the country at SLC!

On the side, are there any disc golfers out there (Frisbee golf for those of you who aren't too familiar with the sport)? There are two course in Pittsburgh, and I plan on bringing my discs to try to get in a round sometime while we're there. If you wanna join, or know more, let me know at patrick.jinks@unitedway.org.

See you in Steelertown!

Patrick Jinks
President/CEO
United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County
Danville, VA