Seven Steps to Success

1. INVOLVE THE BOSS
Whether you’re the boss or someone else is, the boss’s leadership and enthusiasm are contagious. Ask your boss to:

• Send a signed letter or email to employees encouraging their support through payroll giving
• Speak at employee meetings about his or her own commitment to United Way’s vital role in the community

2. GET HELP!

• Recruit a campaign coordinator and educate them about United Way – what it is and what it does. (Your United Way Campaign Coordinator can help you with this!) They can serve as the “go to” person with questions or ideas.

3. CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAMPAIGN

• Determine the type of campaign best suited for your organization (group meeting, one-on-one solicitation or a combination of the two)
• Ask employees who have used United Way services to tell a personal story about their experiences

4. PUBLICIZE YOUR CAMPAIGN

• Ask for permission to use office e-mail to publicize the United Way campaign
• Use your employee publications for stories and photos explaining United Way
• Promote the campaign with posters, banners, goal thermometers and informational displays (your local United Way Campaign Coordinator can provide these)

5. HOLD AN EMPLOYEE GROUP PRESENTATION

• Schedule an employee meeting and follow up with absentees (United Way staff and volunteers are available to speak to your employees or help you do the presentation)
• Distribute pledge forms and United Way brochures at the beginning of the meeting

6. REPORT CAMPAIGN RESULTS TO UNITED WAY OF SLO COUNTY

• Submit your completed pledge forms to your United Way representative
• Submit Payroll Deduction pledge forms to your company’s Payroll Department

7. SAY THANKS TO YOUR EMPLOYEES

• Giving to United Way makes people feel good about caring; it also makes them feel good when their generosity is acknowledged
• Send a letter from the boss to all contributors
• Announce campaign results in the break room or on the company bulletin board
• Display a thermometer poster bearing final results in a visible work place location