Leadership Giving: "So Easy, A Caveman Could Do It!"

Through visionary leadership and personal involvement, Employee Coordinators are a vital part of United Way of Central Florida’s campaign.  We rely heavily on their leadership, support, and relationships within their company.  Sheryl Weldon, a Leadership Giver with her husband Jerry Weldon, served as GEICO’s Employee Coordinator for the 2010 campaign.  With the support of George Rogers, GEICO Regional Vice President, their company participated in an employee campaign, special events, the Loaned Executive program and a corporate contribution.  However, one of the ways GEICO and many of our most generous companies separate their campaign from the rest is by holding a Leadership Giving Campaign.

Leadership Giving Campaigns can be held in many ways.  For some companies, it’s a simple letter sent from the CEO asking employees to join them as Leadership Givers or an ask as part of a staff meeting, others hold breakfast meetings or luncheons, while some will conduct one-on-one meetings.  Every year, GEICO holds a Thank You Breakfast for it's Leadership Givers.  This gives United Way an opportunity to not only thank them for their gift, but also reinforces that United Way is the best investment of their donor dollars.  This year, Dr. Thomas Reuschling, the UWCF Leadership Giving Chair, thanked guests for their past involvement and leadership, while Alice O’Reilly, VISTE President (a UWCF partner), was able to address how Leadership donations are utilized by partner programs. 

In addition, Sheryl and her team spread companywide awareness of Leadership options to prospective members, including the Young Leaders Step-up program and Tocqueville/Democratie Step-up program.  In all, they recruited over 88 Leadership Givers and 335 YLS members for the 2010 campaign year. Due to the additional Leadership efforts, GEICO increased their Leadership Giving from 125 members in 2009 to 423 members in 2010! United Way of Central Florida greatly appreciates GEICO and all of the companies that hold Leadership Giving Campaigns.