Newman University Associate Professor of Social Work Sue Ellen Gardner, Ph.D. and Associate Professor of Philosophy Jamey Findling, Ph.D. were part of a volunteer panel that recently helped the United Way of the Plains allocate funds to local programs for the coming year.
Gardner and Findling were among more than 189 volunteers who served from late August to mid-October on one of 10 Allocation Review Panels designed to help the United Way invest funds for maximum community impact. Gardner and Findling reviewed programs in the areas of education, income and health.
Collectively, the allocations volunteers reviewed 93 programs in 35 agencies to determine their suitability to receive United Way funding in 2012. Each volunteer attended a training session, three or four agency program presentations or site visits, and an afternoon wrap-up session. The volunteers reviewed program design, client outcomes and detailed agency budget information to make recommendations to the United Way.
“The decisions they made have ensured that United Way allocations will address the critical needs of the community in the most cost-effective manner,” said United Way President Patrick J. Hanrahan. “The performance and dedication of these volunteers was excellent and a credit to your organization.”
Hanrahan said the community volunteers donated more than 1,800 hours of service over the eight-week process. The United Way Board of Directors ultimately approved funding for 87 local programs, beginning Jan. 1, 2012.
