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Character Counts at Local Schools!
Principal Sally Green announces the Pillar of the Month to her students at Canalino Elementary School
United Way of Santa Barbara County is committed to character development and education in local schools and recently made several visits to Santa Ynez Elementary and Canalino Elementary to help students make their character count. Principal Sally Green gathered students at an assembly at the beginning of November to kick off "Caring," the pillar of the month for Canalino Elementary.
Some classes sang songs to show how they cared for others, themselves, and their country. Throughout the year, Canalino students participate in various activities to learn the 6 Pillars of Character, including monthly assemblies. UWSBC also supplied the school with fun Character Counts! incentives to reward students for good behavior and demonstrating good character. Character Counts! posters hanging in classrooms also serve as a reminder of the pillars.
In Santa Ynez, Character Counts! week was alive and thriving the week of October 18th, with kids engaging in activities that will benefit the school and students throughout the year. Teacher Annette Shimamura helped her Student Council, a group of 6th-8th grade leaders, plan activities for the school to learn the 6 Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
The week included school-wide participation in creating a Character Counts! chain, where each grade was assigned a pillar and students wrote what that pillar meant to them on their own link. The Student Council brought the links together, symbolically connecting the entire school. In addition, kids had the opportunity to add a colored handprint to a poster, corresponding to their assigned pillar. The week concluded with a special delivery of fun incentives such as stickers, pencils, bookmarks, and certificates provided by UWSBC. These "spot awards" will help teachers recognize kids who best exemplify the 6 Pillars throughout the year.
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G. Paul Didier Named Professional Fundraiser of the Year by Association of Fundraising Professionals
G. Paul Didier
The Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recently honored the 2009 award winners in the areas of philanthropy, volunteerism and fundraising at Fess Parker's Double Tree Resort in Santa Barbara. G. Paul Didier, President & CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County was honored with the Professional Fundraiser of the Year award. First held locally in 1987, AFP's National Philanthropy Day luncheon recognizes great contributions of philanthropy and those active in the philanthropic community - who have enriched our world. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible.
Paul Didier has been President and CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County since 1978. A Certified Financial Planner, a UCSB and Harvard MBA graduate, and a former real estate broker and syndicate with his own firm, he has applied for-profit, market driven innovations to United Way and other non-profit organizations. He has been a presenter to local and national United Way and non-United Way conferences on fund raising, marketing, direct mail, leadership giving, planned giving, computerized information systems and strategic planning. He has consulted with other United Way organizations as well as hospitals, universities, environmental groups and other types of social service agencies.
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Young Leaders Create Authentic Connections
On November 19, 2009 more than 60 young leaders filled Union Ale Brewing Company for a thought-provoking evening. The presentation "Authentic Connections, Networking Today" encouraged attendees to create deeper relationships by looking within, being agenda-less, and sharing optimism. The presentation and probing discussion was lead by Liza Taylor, MSOD, who created the Authentic Connection model in 2004.
Liza, an alumni from UCSB, currently lives and works in Los Angeles. Her goal is to have individuals really think about who they are and what they want in order to achieve their business and professional goals in a deeper more honest way.
Young Leaders Society of Santa Barbara County launched in April 2009 with just under 15 members. Membership has tripled to almost 45 members, consisting of young leaders who are motivated by professional success as well as community impact and goodwill.
2009 Leader of the Year Jennifer Parkes (center) of Venoco, Inc. with Genevieve Lund, Amber Ortiz, Steve Ortiz, 2008 Leader of the Year Jennifer Muench of Cox Communications, and Paul Didier, CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County
Last month, YLS member Jennifer Parkes, was honored as the 2009 Young Leader of the Year at Pacific Coast Business Times "40 Under 40" Dinner. Jennifer Parkes is a land technician in the exploration department at Venoco, Inc. in Carpinteria. She is a second year member of the Venoco Community Partnership Committee, which is responsible for researching non-profit grant requests, making site visits, and advocating for nonprofit interests. Jennifer is also an annual volunteer for United Way's Fun in the Sun Summer Enrichment Program and Day of Caring, the largest single-day volunteer event in the tri-counties. She is an active member and volunteer with the Young Leaders Society of Santa Barbara County, Partners in Education Volunteer Program, and Fighting Back Mentor Program.
For more information about Young Leaders Society of Santa Barbara County, visit our website or contact Juli Askew at 965-8594.
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IRA Rollover Gifts - A Special Opportunity
The late Ada-Marie Bowers with Judy Goodbody in 2008
Are you looking for a convenient way to make your 2009 gift to United Way without dipping into your investment portfolio? If you are over age 70 ½, you can transfer as much as $100,000 from your IRA to charity without paying any federal income tax on that distribution. Your required minimum distribution from your IRA could instead be directed to United Way to fulfill your year end giving goals, and you will feel great knowing that your generosity is improving the lives of Children, Seniors and their Families in our community. Your gift can be made simply by notifying your IRA plan custodian of your intent to make a current transfer directly to us, but remember, you must take advantage of this opportunity no later than December 31, 2009. For more information on how to make an IRA Rollover gift please contact Judy Goodbody, Gift Planning Services Officer at 965-8591 ext. 120 or email jgoodbody@unitedwaysb.org Estate Planning Tip: An IRA that is passed on to your heirs is completely taxable as ordinary income to your heirs, and is also subject to estate tax. |
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CFRE International Names Steve Ortiz as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)
Steve Ortiz
Steve Ortiz, Director for Workplace Development at United Way of Santa Barbara County joins close to 4,500 professionals around the world who hold a Certified Fund Raising Executive designation. The CFRE process was developed as a way to identify individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and commitment to perform their duty in an effective, conscientious, ethical and professional manner.
Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, management training, demonstrated achievement and commitment to service to not-for profit organizations.
Since 2005, Steve's responsibilities at United Way have included corporate and workplace development, community relations, marketing, strategic planning, volunteer management, event planning and the launch of the Young Leaders Society.
Steve completed three Bachelor Degrees at the University of California Santa Barbara - Business Economics, Global Studies with an emphasis in Socioeconomics and Politics, and Spanish. Before joining United Way, Steve was the Financial Manager for the Devereux Foundation, California Operations.
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The City of Santa Barbara Races to a Successful
Charitable Giving Campaign
City of Santa Barbara employees compete in their annual tricycle race
In the month of October the City of Santa Barbara Public Works department, the City Administration office and the City Community Development department, held their annual lunchtime BBQ and tricycle race to benefit the Charitable Giving Campaign. This event features music, food, a silent auction and a great way for the city employees to support their community and team build. City workers made a delicious Tri-tip BBQ lunch while teams prepared to race on their tricycles - "The Green Machines". The high degree obstacle course was set up in the Public Works yard where Christine Anderson, Director of Public Works and the Chair of the Charitable Giving Campaign felt she had an advantage. Teams dressed in costumes relevant to the team name and had pit bosses and team leaders. This year the winning team came from the Community Development department. Congratulations! The City of Santa Barbara employees had a blast during this event and now they are racing to complete their Charitable Giving Campaign. For more tips on holding a successful workplace campaign or if you have tips to share, feel free to contact Juli Askew at (805) 965-8594.
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