omen’s Leadership Council

1. 2009 omen’s Leadership Council educate> engage> empower: e 3 United Way of Forsyth County

2. WLC Mission • To reach out to women in our community to educate, engage, and empower them in meeting the most pressing needs in Forsyth County. United Way of Forsyth County

3. Focusing on the Power of Women The Women’s Leadership Council recognizes and appreciates the contribution of time and financial resources women make to our community. Our objective is to help women develop even further as philanthropic leaders, advocates and community investors through volunteer, education, and networking opportunities. United Way of Forsyth County

4. Powerful Women in Forsyth County • 2006 WLC created • 2007 Campaign • 710 members • Raised $433,125* • 2008 Campaign • 823 Members • Raised $524,062* *Includes R.J. Reynolds Challenge Match • Identified our area of focus – Increasing the graduation rate in Forsyth County to 90% by 2018! United Way of Forsyth County

5. Why This Focus? • An Increased Graduation Rate Provides Significant Benefits to our Community: • On average, high school graduates earn 32% more than high school drop-outs. • Graduates more likely to live above the poverty line and less likely to serve time in prison or to experience homelessness. • High graduation rates help attract new business to communities and fuels stronger local economies. • High school graduates are critical to a stable and productive workforce. United Way of Forsyth County

6. Focused Objective To provide success-ready students to the 9th grade, with an initial focus on Middle School students that will enter 9th grade at Parkland Magnet High School by funding the following projects: • Tutoring program • Strengthening Families Program  • Summer Success Academy United Way of Forsyth County

7. Tutoring Program • During the 2007/2008 school year, tutoring was provided to 113 eighth graders. • In the 2008/2009 school year, tutoring has been offered to all grades. Approximately 400 students received tutoring. • To prepare for End of Grade Testing, 14 additional teachers were added to provide in-class tutoring for all 8th grade classes and select core 6th and 7th grade classes. • Saturday Academy allowed students to receive additional tutoring hours to prepare for their EOG tests. United Way of Forsyth County

8. Strengthening Families Program • The goal of the Strengthening Families Program is to strengthen parenting skills, improve family relationships and communication and to reduce substance abuse and other problematic behaviors in middle school students. • A meal, childcare, and incentives for participation are provided. • SFP has completed seven sessions. • 84% of the parents have reported an increase in communication with their children and involvement in their children’s academic work. United Way of Forsyth County

9. Summer Success Academy • The 2009 Summer Success Academy at Philo Magnet Academy was held for two weeks in mid-July, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each weekday. This year WLC expanded to include rising 7th graders at Philo Magnet Academy and rising 6th graders at Hill Magnet School. • Transportation, breakfast and lunch were provided free of charge again this year. • We had 63 rising 6th graders and 40 rising 7th graders attended the Summer Success Academies. • WLC provided over 300 volunteer hours to support the Summer Success Academies. United Way of Forsyth County

10. Measuring Our Success • Since we are working with middle school students, it will be several years before our projects have a direct impact on the county’s high school graduation rate. • Success will be measured by: • improvements in standardized test scores • the number of students that are functioning at grade level • the number of students that are promoted to the next grade • reduced behavior problems in school United Way of Forsyth County

11. How Can You Help? • Join WLC - Take Advantage of the R. J. Reynolds Foundation Challenge Match which is available to new and next Level Leadership Circle Donors • Let Us Hear From YOU! We welcome your ideas, involvement and creativity wlc@uwforsyth.org • Spread the Word – Invite your friends and colleagues to learn more about the WLC United Way of Forsyth County

12. How the Challenge Match Works • Leadership Circle Step-Up • (For New Leadership Circle Donors) • Members contributing $500 or commit to increase their contribution by at least $100 annually to reach the Leadership Circle level of $1,000 • Members will receive a match in each year equal to the difference between their contribution and $1,000 • These members will be recognized as Leadership Circle donors beginning in year one United Way of Forsyth County

13. Leadership Circle Step-Up United Way of Forsyth County

14. Here’s another example with a donor currently giving more than $500. Leadership Circle Step-Up United Way of Forsyth County

15. How the Challenge Match Works • Leadership Circle Next Level Challenge • (For Existing Leadership Circle Donors) • Those who are Leadership Circle members should commit to reaching the next level and increase their contributions based on the table on the next slide • Donors have up to 5 years to reach the next leadership level • Donors will be recognized at the next leadership level beginning in year one United Way of Forsyth County

16. Leadership Circle Next Level Challenge United Way of Forsyth County

17. For example, a woman already giving $1,000 should plan to increase her gift by $100 each year to get to $1,500. Leadership Circle Next Level Challenge United Way of Forsyth County

18. Tocqueville Society Step-Up • Women donors contributing $5,000 or more can commit to increase their contribution by at least $1,000 annually to the Tocqueville level of $10,000 • These donors will receive a match in each year equal to the difference between their contribution and $10,000 • These donors will be recognized as Tocqueville donors beginning in year one United Way of Forsyth County

19. Important Questions to Ask • If a company provides a $ for $ match, how will the WLC match work? • The match is only on the woman’s contribution. She must step up her personal contribution to receive the match. • Example: Jane currently gives $400 to United Way, but she offers to step up to $500. • Jane’s Contribution: $500 • WLC Match: $500 • Company Match: $500 • Jane’s total contribution: $1,500 (recognized by United Way at the Silver Leadership level) United Way of Forsyth County

20. Important Questions to Ask • If the woman has a spouse who gives, how can she qualify for the WLC match? • The intent of the match is to empower women to give more money to United Way, not to shift the couple’s giving. In addition to what the spouse currently gives, the woman needs to increase her personal contribution by the minimum requirement. • Can the woman designate her increase to an agency? • No, in order to become a WLC donor and receive the match, she must designate the increase to go to WLC. All increases and matches will go to the WLC project. • If a woman has already fulfilled her WLC commitment and reached her targeted Leadership Circle Level, what must she do to maintain her WLC membership? What match will she receive? • Your gift should increase annually by $25 or more. Your increase will be matched dollar-for dollar and will be used to fund WLC projects. United Way of Forsyth County

21. Important Questions to Ask • Can the woman designate her entire contribution to the WLC? • No, so as not to negatively impact the United Way’s overall campaign funding, only the increased contribution and the match can go to the WLC. • Will the WLC match dollars be included in the company’s total United Way contribution? • No, but the company can count the increased contributions by its employees. • Can men join the WLC or contribute to the WLC in honor of a wife/mother/daughter/etc.? • No, the WLC is limited to women members. However, men are encouraged to take a brochure and pledge form home and ask his wife/daughter to make an individual contribution to participate in WLC. United Way of Forsyth County

22. For More Information • Visit United Way’s website • www.forsythunitedway.org • E-mail us with any questions at • WLC@uwforsyth.org • Visit our Facebook page United Way of Forsyth County