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Running head: UNITED WE STAND 1

Jasmine Bundy
Wilmington University
United Way of Salem







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The focus of United Way is identifying and resolving pressing community issues, as well
as making measurable changes in the communities through partnerships with schools,
government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community
development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and
others. It has been this way since the late 1800s when church leaders first begin. United Way of
Salem is working to advance the common good by focusing on the critical needs in Salem
County. Meeting those needs provides the building blocks for a good life, a quality education
that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family, and good health. The goal is to
create long lasting changes that will eventually prevent some of the unfortunate problems from
happening in the first place. The agency performs these tasks by researching, analyzing and
reporting on the communitys most pressing issues. The plan is to strategically invest in local
programs and high impact initiatives that achieve measurable outcomes and demonstrate results.
With united efforts with community partners achieving positive community change is what the
agency projects.
The mission of United Way of Salem County engages the caring power of the community
via Giving, Advocacy, and Volunteering to advance the availability of and access to critical
resources in Education, Income Stability, Health, and Youth Development. This is demonstrated
through program coordination, community goals and conjunction with other forces whom have
the same goals for the community and its members. The mission is a doorway into the actual
foundation of the agency, it gives us a glimpse of what the team members of United Way have in
mind. The deliver these services to those in the local community and also mobilize for those who
may need them to reach out a little further. United way has allowed many members of the
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community to gain the necessary help through their support and valued trust. They have
remained focused on the efforts to impact the community in a positive and long lasting way.
Salem County consists of an estimated population of 65,000 with 22% being under the
age of 18. The agency itself targets those in the surrounding community who are in need of the
many resources they provide including educational and financial services. For some services the
target population may differ or example, the summer programs for 2014 are only targeting youth
ages 13-18 to participate in a summer camp designed to equip them with life skills and career
exploration. Other services rendered by United Way may include adults who take part in
workshops to further education or gain financial stability. There is a need for educational
information as well as continuing education after high school because the data reports that 86
percent of the residents in Salem County have a high school diploma yet that number drops to 19
percent when you factor in a bachelor degree or higher. With that being said, the programs
offered by united way target those areas so that those patterns of not furthering education after
high school can diminish.
The authority for policy is set forth by administration committee serving on behalf of the
board who establishes policies. Whenever they see feasible changes are made in writing. The
executive director has full responsibility for the administration of personal policy and shall
consult when necessary with the committee. Employees are giving handbook that are to be used
as a guide for the employee. All employees report to the executive director, Monique Chadband,
who in turns reports to the chair of the Administration Committee, Committee Chairperson, and
Board of Directors. The board of directors is responsible to the hiring of the Executive director,
all other employees are employed by the executive director.
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The organizational structure of the United Way of Salem is designed in a hierarchy which
makes it easy to identify who will be in charge of what projects and other members.

At the top we have the Board of directors as well as the CEO. Next there are the directors of each
sector of the agency. There is the peace center, community impact, resource development and
community support. There is also an accountant who plays a huge part in the stability of the
financial aspects. The CEO has an assistant and the director of community programs has an
associate to help get the job done. In the chart you will also notice the role I will be
administering this summer, the summer program coordinator. The summer program coordinator
is under the associate director of community programs. They work together to create workshops
and forums conducive to learning for the youth involved.
As many may know already, United Way is operated as a non-profit organization.
Nonprofit organizations exist to carry out charitable, educational or civic responsibilities and are
highly regulated. In addition to fundraising and grant opportunities, profits derived from these
CEO
MONIQUE
CHADBAND
DIRECTOR OF PEACE
CENTER
DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNITY
IMPACT
ASSOCIATE
DIRECTOR OF
COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS
SUMMER
PROGRAM
COORDINATOR
EXECUTIVE
ASSITANT
DIRECTOR OF
RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
COORDINATOR
ACCOUNTANT
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
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activities are usually exempt from federal and state income tax. Because nonprofits serve the
public as well as enjoy a special tax status, they are subject to considerable federal and state rules
and regulations. Its a little more stringent when it comes to how they are governed. The other
governance structure such as the distribution of rights and responsibilities among different
participants in the corporation (such as the board of directors, managers, shareholders, creditors,
auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders) are outlined in the policy and procedure manual as
well as litigating documents that specifies the rules and procedures for making decisions in the
agencys affairs. Governance is a mechanism for monitoring the actions, policies and decisions
of the organization and when a non-profit or any cooperate agency is involved, governance needs
to always be kept up to standards
Receiving donations are an important method of obtaining financial support for most
nonprofit organizations. Certain rules apply, however, to both the donors and to the organization
accepting the donation and they need to be followed precisely. Donors must give gifts without
receiving any goods or services in return. If gifts or collateral is being received they are subject
to penalties. There are many contributors who participate in funding the agency and its works.
The top four donors in affiliation with United Way are DuPont Chambers Works, Mannington
Mills, PSEG Nuclear and Atlantic City Electric, all local developers. The funding that these
partners provide helps maintain the up keeping of the agency and its programs. Along with these
funding partners, United Way has relationships with many other agencies. They are all in the
surrounding areas and have their own programs for the community members young and elder. To
name a few there are:
American Red Cross SJ Chapter,
Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey
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Meals on Wheels of Salem County
Puerto Rican Action Committee
Robins' Nest Inc.
Salem County Women's Services
The Arc of Salem County
The Salvation Army of Salem County
YMCA of Salem County

These agencies help with shelter, food, financial assistance, heating and cooling, life skills,
experience in volunteering, community involvement and many other areas that are beneficial to
the strength of any city or town. With their own missions and program developments they tackle
the communitys issues, and when they come together they tackle even more.
Every agency will be faced with challenges on a daily basis especially when they are
taking on other individuals life problems. United way has been able to show how strong they are
by performing in their community and obtaining a new site to expand their visions. United Way
of America has been noted as the largest charity in the United States, with 1,285 local United
Ways reporting over $4.2 billion in contributions in some single fiscal years of service. This new
project will be a way to show and prove they are full of the necessary strengths to continue
moving in a positive direction. They have created a trend that states we need to Live United
because it's a credo. A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that when we reach out a hand to
one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster
the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day. As
of now United Way is in the 2
nd
year of a challenging goal. In 2013, United Way initiated a 5-
year program designed to achieve the following goals in Salem County by 2018:
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Improve education, increase reading and math proficiency levels in at-risk communities,
cut the number of high school dropouts and significantly increase the number of graduating high
school students that pursue and complete post-secondary education and/or career training. Help
people achieve financial stability. Reduce the number of lower-income families who are
financially unstable and help them get on the road to economic independence. Promote healthy
lives, and increase by 20 percent - the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid
risky behaviors. The goals are ambitious, but with the help of the partners, donors and local
affiliates and utilizing core strengths, they can be achieved
For the summer of 2014 I have the pleasure of taking on the role as program coordinator.
My goals will be to develop curriculum sufficient enough to promote positive changes within the
children that are taking part in the camp. Along with creating workshops and hands on activities,
I will be researching funding opportunities that are in line with nonprofit mission statements. In
the process I will also be learning about the hierarchy of the agency and organizational structures
in the Salem office as well as nationwide. With the opportunity to work in a large group setting I
will also be working on group trust and administrative collaborations. I will be summarizing
necessary findings as well as providing a reflection with feedback of the entire process.
United Way has a great reputation and I look forward to becoming a part of some of their
new innovations. The community is the one I have grown up in and I would love nothing more
than to be able to help give back. I look forward to the experience and memorable moments it
will create. When I think of the positive impact they will have on the children I am eager to
watch it all unfold.

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References

www.unitedwayofsalem.org
www.smallbusiness/chron.com
www.wikipedia.org
www.quickfacts.census.gov

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