Our dedicated Employee Campaign Managers (ECMs) joined us for the annual Roundtable event to begin preparing for our upcoming campaign.  We’re very fortunate to have such committed individuals who work to bring the Live United spirit into their workplaces all year long!  Rickman House hosted this year’s event, and even provided our ECMs with a tour and explanation of their work.  The Rickman House provides housing for low income adults with special needs, and was recently renovated to help them better serve this population of our community.

First, our ECMs heard from Community Impact Director, Matt Lynn, and Assistant Director of Community Investment, Jamie Helsen.  Matt and Jamie shared some of the fundamental beliefs of United Way: that all children deserve a chance to succeed in school, that all families deserve to be financially stable, and that all people should be able to lead a healthy lifestyle.  Jamie expanded on some of the health initiatives, explaining some of our work around helping the under insured in our community.

Another highlight would have to be the interactive game, Spent that everyone played.  Spent puts you in the position of the unemployed and takes you on a journey where you have to make choices based on your budget.  The first step, selecting a job, figuring out if you can afford health insurance premiums, and finding affordable housing.  It also accounts for the smaller things, such as your child’s field trip, which costs $15 when you’re still 4 days away from pay day with a few more bills due, what would you do in that situation?  The game is a fascinating portrayal of situations our neighbors, friends, and even family may find themselves in if they live pay check to pay check.  The game allowed our ECMs to really consider what an impact some of United Way’s programs make in people’s everyday lives.

We are so thankful for everyone who made it to the ECM Roundtable this year.  We’re definitely looking forward to seeing all of the amazing work of our corporate partners for 2013!