The United Way of the Coastal Empire faces a tough prospect this week: that for the first time in memory they may not reach their Campaign goal.
It’s not entirely surprising considering the economy’s in the toilet and people and businesses are cautious of what’s to come. But it starts to get kinda scary when you think about what this annual campaign provides for; the United Way Campaign helps support 37 health and human service agencies that provide 90 programs and services to individuals and families in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. All proceeds from the $8,288,888 goal benefit the United Way of the Coastal Empire, whose mission is To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
The 2008 Campaigns follows several very successful years of memorable Campaign themes, including “The Wizard of Oz” in 2006 and “Superman: the Man of Steel” in 2007. This year, with the days dwindling on the “Team United” NASCAR theme, the Campaign still needs to pick up speed. Official reports from October 15th proclaim 43% of the goal having been met. Signs about town point to about 65% today.
Surprisingly, one area where the Campaign is struggling is in the small business sector. This is even more surprising considering the small shoes we need to fill: our goal of $15,000 raised or pledged is only a mere 0.002% of the overall Campaign goal. That we can’t find a modest $15,000 among us is concerning for United Way, especially knowing that times are tough and that, undoubtedly, other Campaign sectors are struggling. But, even if you aren’t feeling particularly charitable, think about what this failure means for all that we tout to be.
On meeting their sector target goals, “Small Business” is dead last of all 29 sectors. We are the furthest behind of all the rest of Savannah. If the small business community cannot do better than dead-last among all sectors then it dramatically undermines the rational for promoting and expanding small biz as a sector of any significance.
“For years we have been bragging about the economic impact of small businesses that make up 95% of all businesses both here in Chatham County, as well as the U.S. as a whole,” says our very own Chris Miller, head of the small business unit for the 2008 United Way Campaign. “Please uphold the honor and pride we have in the small business community to do our part.”
Remember: All donations are 100% tax deductible. Not too shabby.
To be sure, this is a vital social service for our community and our neighbors. United Way hugely impacts health and human service work across the Coastal Empire. And, as a volunteer driven organization, they carefully review agency requests for funding, paying special attention to agency management, program delivery and outcomes accountability to ensure that your donations are really making a difference.
A message from this year’s Campaign Chair, Dale Critz, Jr.:
Everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to have a quality education, sufficient income and good health. For over 70 years, the United Way has been working to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. And when we reach out our hands to one, we improve the condition of all. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED. As the 2008 United Way Campaign Chair, I ask you to join me and Team United to create long-lasting changes for our friends and neighbors. Join hands. Open your heart. Lend your muscle. Find your voice. Give 10%. Give 100%. Give 110%. Think of we before me.
So, let’s get busy friends. Let’s LIVE UNITED and support an extremely valuable and incomparable service in our community. Let’s show Savannah that small business “got it going on!” Let’s uphold our end of the bargain and give back a little. You can do this by donating online, through Paypal on the United Way website. Every donation via the PayPal link of the UWCE web page counts toward the “Small Business” sector. Give $25. Give $50. Give $100. Give something.
How smart was it to use a campaign theme built around NASCAR? Fuel eating muscle cars on steroids? Not too appropriate this year don’t you think?
Then there’s this quote – “Everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to have a quality education, sufficient income and good health.” Why then did voters just approve (prop 2) school districts sharing their tax revenues for commercial development infrastructure?
“On meeting their sector target goals, ‘Small Business’ is dead last of all 29 sectors.” Let’s not bemoan small businesses not being able to meet the giving goal, they don’t get “bailed out” like the big boys every time the economy hits the skids. Kinda see a correlation there?
None of this makes sense to me but then again I’m a small business, a member of the creative coast.
John McMasters
John,
I’m not sure I follow.
First of all, the approval of prop 2 has little to do with a benign generalization on what “people deserve” by Dale Critz (a private citizen). What gives?
Secondly, are you implying that businesses with 50 employees more (i.e. non-small biz) somehow receive cash from the $700 billion bailout? The federal government buying troubled assets from financial institutions doesn’t have much to do with Savannah small businesses’ meager representation in the United Way campaign. At most you could say that the former indicates that the economy is in the toilet, which obviously effects the latter – but it effects big businesses too.
Smells like a bit of argumentative (if not overly politicized) logic if you ask me. :)
We’ve been touting Savannah small biz’s virtues and numerous successes since day one. But the fact that 95% of companies (those with less than 50 employees) represent less than 0.002% of United Way campaign contributions is a legitimate point of concern – and hopefully a call to action!
F
Cal it what you like. However, let’s look at it closely…
The benign generalization addressed what people might deserve as in “quality education” (public that is). Prop 2 allows school revenue, public taxes paid to be diverted to commercial development infrastructure. How does that help those desirous of a “quality education” achieve same? Can you explain that F? Just how does that “trickle down” to the schools?
And why does that strike you as argumentative (if not overly politicized)? Prop 2 seems very counter productive to the gentlemen’s benign generalization doesn’t it?
You are a SEDA stepchild so let’s be honest about who is being argumentative (if not overly politicized).
My point about bailouts is that little businesses don’t get them while big ones do. How you managed to invert what I said I don’t know, but you have.
Look at the financial problems at the Savannah Morning News. Or now Great Dane. They are big but then look at the large number of small business downtown who have said if the holiday season doesn’t materialize for them they will be closing their doors. It’s unfair to hound little guys for contributions in such times. If they had the means, they would contribute. Since SEDA has $250,000,000 of property off the tax digest, look no further than your own backyard and leave us alone.If we could, we would.
Alright you two, quit yer bitchin’ – both of you.
John – to this casual observer, it seems like you’re twisting words – and yes, being argumentative – to play into your political agenda. Stay on topic, man. I know that’s what politicians do, but I had higher hopes for you. Somehow, a post about small business contributions to the United Way campaign has turned into a discussion on wonkish “Prop 2″ and inflammatory half-truths on property tax abatement. Gross.
Fitz – You may be able to avoid backlash like this by taking a tiny bit of the edge off the “dead last” verbiage. Its kinda disturbing and true, but may make folks defensive. Also, a suggestion: If folks go off topic, ban them from the blog. Might seem harsh, but it keeps things in the lanes.
Lastly – and more importantly: I know small businesses (myself included) do have less cash and resources than big business. Everyone is hurting, no doubt. Still – we make up the majority of business, and it sounds like we represent much less than our fair share of the giving pool.
Instead of saying “leave us alone”, maybe we can realize that everyone can give SOMETHING. I just threw down $50. Take the “Obama” approach to fundraising – go after several hundred small businesses to give $25-$100, and you’ve made some headway towards that $15,000.
Bob
Thank you. With all due respect, can you explain how Prop 2 is going to help any child in a public school? Only the causal observers will not understand what was being discussed.
I hope you will understand and allow me to explain that I did not go “out of the lane” bringing Prop 2 up as it was right there in the original content posted by Fitz who quoted Dale Critz talking about United Way giving so that people will have the chance to receive a “quality education”. I thought if we are opening up the subject then why not bring up the unfortunate passage of Prop 2? That’s a give away too, but my point is that I don’t see it accomplishing the broader mission.
Yes, I do have a political agenda, and I make no bones about my agenda which is to bring about more sensible public policy in Chatham County. There’s no debating that SEDA does abate property taxes (in exchange for new job creation) so why the heavy handed “gross”? It’s true. It’s also true that Prop 2 will divert public taxes to non school projects. Any half truth to that? I don’t find any.
Frankly, in my opinion too many people employ the “Tut, tut” dismissive context/approach to important issues and discussion such as we are having here. I sense that in your writing however and I am on topic. Please respect that and realize that.
Bob, what do you mean about “That’s what politicians do”? I submit if politicians were held to account for the decisions they make regarding public policy we could all elevate the definition of politician. Clearly elections are one way and at least now people are running against incumbents so as to force them to explain their records and defend their office. Too bad the local media went awol on facilitating that discussion this round. It’s starting and it will grow into what I believe will be a better result for more people than what we have historically experienced from local elected officials. I can say this from first hand experience, limited as it may have been.
The notion that a publicly funded website/blog such as this would or should stifle decent is aberrant in nature. Let’s hope nobody buys that idea.
To show you I am not all discontent (though some have and will continue to characterize me that way), I will take your suggestion to take the “Obama” approach and I’ll trow down my $50 right now.
Thanks for your thoughts. I respect what say.
John
Bob – you make some good points. Thanks for keeping us in check!
John – I’m afraid you may have misunderstood my sentiments. Nobody is advocating that we stifle dissent or healthy discourse. I say bring it on – but there is a time and place for everything.
If we were talking about public education, commercial development infrastructure or economic development incentives, then your comments would have been met with less skepticism. It just seemed to me that you were picking out passages or points within the context of my post to suit your agenda. I think that’s what Bob meant by “what politicians do.”
At the end of the day, it may be a matter of improperly set expectations. If we post on a given topic – in this case, small business representation in the United Way campaign (or lack thereof) – there is a general expectation that the resulting discourse will pertain to that overall subject matter. That is not to say things don’t deviate slightly or that we don’t “go with the flow”, but in general we like to keep things relevant to the topic at hand.
In this case – the public approving (or not approving) prop 2 or SEDA’s use of temporary property tax abatement to create jobs and attract investment (which, you unsurprisingly failed to mention also significantly multiplies property values and resulting tax revenues) really has no place in a discussion of small business donation practices.
You’ll find this is not uncommon – many blogs enforce these rules by doing just what Bob mentioned.
On the other hand – your talking about big biz problems might be a bit more relevant. At least its an attempt to tie in the fact that biz in general are having a rough time these days – and as a result, are able to give less.
At any rate, I hope this clears things up. Honest discourse is welcome – as is healthy and well-informed dissent. Just try to keep it in the lanes – and even better, solution oriented (Bob’s suggestion on micro-donations is a great example!)
F
Here’s a solution oriented suggestion and in the lane. When I gave a $100 to the Obama campaign they immediately asked if I would like to have that amount matched by someone they had asked the same question to. Of course I agreed and I was able to send an email to an unknown individual in New Jersey who in turn matched my $100. The next day they asked me if I was willing to match someone who may be considering giving to the campaign and I agreed albeit for $50.
Why not ask SEDA, The Chamber of Commerce, The Savannah Morning News, First Chatham Bank, or JCB, or Gulfstream, etc (big business) to do this kind of match for the small business/individual giver? Hey, let’s work together on this right? It’s synergistic and worked very well for Obama’s campaign.
What do you think? BTW – I donated my $50 yesterday so I’m in as pledged.
I have to admit, I read this blog entry because I had a guttural reaction to reading “Were dead last in United Way fundrasing. Chris Miller to small business: ‘Step up to the plate.’” on your Twitter page. I should try reading blogs that don’t sound so controversial, but it was definitely hard to resist this one.
I don’t expect many to agree with me one this but… I am grateful to be self-employed this year and not subject to the peer=pressure and (sometimes) strong-armed tactics that one receives at the larger employers to give money to a super-conglomerate non-profit-thug that sucks up charity from the generous and the coerced. If you’re reading this I challenge you to ask someone who works for a non-profit not lucky enough to be chosen to receive grants from the United Way what they think about this. I give to those non-profit organizations who serve communities I wish to support. I’ve never given a dollar to the United Way, and I never will.
Just for fun I thought I’d throw this in… John, you are less consistent than the rough idle in my old GAS GUZZLING Ford Explorer. Not surprised to hear that you donated to Obama, by the way. But I did find it interesting how you managed to shoe horn that gem in.
P.S. I used an alias today because I know the United Way has a lot of button-men out there and I don’t want to get economically wacked for my open descent. Sorry.
Dennis,
As an employee of a nonprofit that does not receive money from United Way, allow me to comment that I sympathize with how difficult a task fundraising truly is. Unless you’ve done it yourself then please, spare us the whining about how it’s done. I can also say that I thoroughly appreciate that there is a well-known, well-respected, larger nonprofit that is working hard to raise money for the “little guys.” It costs alot to fully staff a development team. And alot of the organizations that United Way supports simply wouldn’t be able to do it by themselves. It’s fine that you don’t support them, but I do. Proudly. And I probably earn a fraction of what you make, working just as hard… at a nonprofit. Some people care, Dennis. And thank God they do.
As to the jab at an Obama voter, let me just say that if the Republican party had it’s way there would be minimal funding for social services for the poor, elderly and single parents. And, in that case, it would be more imperative than ever for the good, giving people of this country to step up to support great organizations. Shit, the backbone of any strong nation is the standard of living. The rising tide raises all boats.
OK folks, while I appreciate the enthusiastic discussion, let me bring this back on target by asking all small biz in Savannah to do their part and step-up to the plate.
* Its late in the game (campign ends next week)
* We have a very modest (almost embarrassingly small) target.
* We are are way behind.
* Its a great organization that helps your community.
* We have setup a PayPal link which makes it drop-dead simple, quick and easy.
DONATE NOW VIA PAYPAL
Anything you can afford would be greatly appreciated. Remember, because all of the admin, fundrasing and overhead expenses are already paid for by a generous endowment, 100% of everything you donate to the Savannah United Way goes directly to the charities they support.
Very interesting exchanges. Fitz you have really stimulated discussion. I know some of it, mine included, has sidetracked a bit but what an intriguing thread. Very powerful and insightful don’t we all agree?
Deloris,
You make a good point about development costs. But I am amazed at your depth of knowledge on my career. If I had never worked for a non-profit, why would I have such a strong opinion about the United Way’s role as a charity-redistribution thug. I’ve raised money in tough economic times, and I was always competing with them.
I understand why people feel proud to support the United Way. But I suspect that they’d feel event better if they wrote a check to a non-profit they really knew something about. I know I do.
Your comments about the Republican party are too ludicrous to address. My comment, however, was directed at a local politician who may or may not belong to said party, but he definitely spends some time at their meetings and events. Who a private citizen votes for is his own business, but who one gives money to is public record. A politician who holds himself out as a conservative or a Republican probably expects scorn for supporing Obama.
Dennis
I have left the Republican party. Locally there are some fine folks involved but the special interest influences were too much for me. Now I am an independent and that suits me fine as I will not be expected to “line up” behind policy issues that I don’t agree with. Of course I never did and there in lies the problem. I hope this helps you understand how I come off to you as “more inconsistent than…”
I have never been a “conservative” – moderate would be a better choice of words or even better, “practical.”
Leaving the Republican party? And just when things were starting to get interesting. Palin ’12? No?
Delores
Palin? 012? Surely you jest. No thanks. I think I have been on a gradual exit ever since I first worked with Billy Hair. Actually, I remember Billy telling me in 2004 that he though I was a more of a Democrat than Pat Shay was and that Pat was more of a Republican than I was. I couldn’t argue that at the time but last year when the local big wig Republicans supported Fred Thompson, then Huckabee, then Romney, then Rudy and finally McCain, I thought geeez, what’s up with this musical chairs game? I had like Obama over the others so I just stuck with it. Time to be independent, it makes more sense.
If things are going to get interesting, at least I won’t be inside looking out.
With 90,000 people unemployed in the State of Georgia and the unemployment rate now at 7 %. I can understand why there are less donations this year. Where would companies get the money? Not from their employees that are now laid-off.
This just in! Thanks to everyone for their support of the United Way and its partner agencies and programs.
Lori’s right. I coughed up $50 because I work for myself and wanted to show Fitz and Bob the Elder I could “stay in the lane”. If the economy is this bad or worse for next years United Way campaign, I think SEDA should just write one big check and not badger the small businesses. Well, maybe 1/2 from SEDA and half from the Chamber.
This thread has been one of the most enlightening on this SEDA/Creative Coast blogsite that I have read since Tommy opined on the Mega Ssite possibilities.
Thanks John, Lori and all who made the effort to help others less fortunate during this UW campaign year. Yes, things are touch right now (and probably going to get tougher) and that was the reason I set up the PayPal contribution methid. This way, anyone can contribute, even in smal amounts of $5, $10 or $100 as they are able.
While times may be touch, I don’t know anyone that can’t put something into the pot. Surely people can donate the cost at least one Starbucks latte to helping others in far more hurt than we are. Every little bit helps.
When you consider how many people the small biz community represents and how little we give realtive to others, I know we can do better. Here’s your chance:
DONATE NOW VIA PAYPAL
Anything you can afford would be greatly appreciated. Remember, because all of the admin, fundrasing and overhead expenses are already paid for by a generous endowment, 100% of everything you donate to the Savannah United Way goes directly to the charities they support.
I prize your time invested in this content , too bad it took me this long to find it but because they enunciate a quality is hard to find. Keep it up.