Celebrating a Loyal Contributor

 

Don Sanders 

Don began his work in United Way following graduate school in 1958.  His degree was in Social Work and he found a job as director of the United Fund of Aiken, South Carolina.  In 1960 he was recruited by Gordon Berg, President of the United Way of Charlotte, North Carolina and he retired in 1994, having succeeded Gordon as President.  When he went to Charlotte they were raising $1.2 million and when he left they raised about $20 million.  

 

Over time, Don says, United Way work has become more complex.  His United Way early on started planning ventures including a consortium for treatment of AIDS, which was cutting edge at the time.  Another highlight was a major study of poverty in the community, which among other things, led to significant recommendations for change in the public and voluntary service system and actions incorporating those changes.  They were known as United Community Services and later changed to United Way of Central Carolina.  He said his favorite UW slogan is, “United Way brings out the best in all of us”.  He feels United Way can and should exhibit the highest personal and professional standards possible.

 

Don joined the United Way Retiree Association in 1994 because his boss, Gordon Berg, was one of the founders of UWRA and he was involved from the beginning in the formation.  He says, “It was on my radar screen from the outset.”  Two goals were dominate in the formation:  1. Provide a vehicle where people in the United Way system can maintain relationships with those they have worked with and known over the years, and 2. Provide retirees with a way to continue service in the system.  

 

Don remembers that early on the Retirees would have a gathering of members in conjunction with a UWA national conference.  However, that proved difficult for many retirees to attend.  He said they found out that retirees didn’t have a lot of money and the expense was prohibitive.  They moved to periodic get togethers and decided a newsletter was needed to keep folks in touch.  Recruiting George Wilkinson to do Updates he felt was one of their biggest accomplishments.  He also said that retirees were beginning to offer consultation to United Ways needing assistance.  The association was evolving into present day goals. 

 

Don continues to support UWRA with his leadership gift and is a founder of the United Way Endowment because the concept of UWRA is important to the field.  The capacity to be of use has not diminished over the years.  It continues to be an instrument for volunteer caring and service delivery.  He thinks United Way has a track record for having good people who fight the battles of non-profit community service.  Having United Way experience is not easily washed away and many people have something to give if needed and they desire to share.  

 

Don’s personal opinion is that the present United Way system is in trouble because we have lost a sense of focus.  He feels the current system is too permissive in the ways people can give and that this has weakened United Way decision making and leadership responsibility.  He hopes the Retiree Association can help remember and keep what is appropriate for a strong system.  Don says there is no question that UWRA can’t be separated by “is” or “was” but has the opportunity to influence positive change.  

 

There is much work to be done to improve conditions in our country and Don feels UWRA provides a unique opportunity to do by choice what we value.   In general, Don says, the quality of people in United Way is exceptional.  We are a group that care about others and UWRA is the bond that holds us together.  

 

UWRA has  added a positive dimension to the United Way system in that people who chose to spend their careers helping strengthen communities are retained in a way that continues to offer perspective on the system’s goals and accomplishments from the past.  The United Way of today can better judge the future in light of the realities of the past.