AT&T / CWA has been one of the top campaigns for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) for several years, and continues to grow each year. After the 2007 campaign, they moved up from the seventh to the fifth largest campaign at UWMD. This year is no different. Results are still coming in, but the figures to date show a 17% increase in employee giving from $1.68 million to $1.97 million and 59% participation!
At AT&T / CWA,United Way is part of their culture. They begin the year as sponsor of the “Pacesetter Campaign”. Pacesetters are organizations that conduct successful United Way campaigns early to “set the pace” for upcoming campaigns. By sponsoring the Pacesetter campaign, it allows UWMD to recruit, hire and train a team of temporary full-time Campaign Associates to canvass the community and run campaigns. It also helps to underwrite the cost of the Pacesetter Finale Luncheon.
Not only was AT&T / CWA the sponsor of this program, they were also an award winner at the Pacesetter Luncheon, securing an award for the most number of employee meetings. With 125 management & non management solicitors, they canvas over 27 buildings in the greater Dallas area, working to hit their goal of 100% outreach to their 13,000+ employees through over 300+ employee United Way presentations. They work hard to make sure ALL employees hear the United Way message. The solicitors are very well prepared after their training at the CWA Union Hall, and partner agencies are always impressed with how prepared they are for the meetings and the passion they have in helping the community! Special recognition goes to Sandra Davis and Portia Daniels of CWA, who without their leadership in coordinating the solicitor trainings, speaking engagements and passion this would not be possible.
AT&T / CWAwon several awards at the luncheon. They went for a repeat on the “Greatest Increase in Leadership Giving” award. AT&T went from 370 to 405 Leadership Givers – this is a 9.5% increase, on top of their 41% increase in Leadership Giving last year! AT&T / CWA is great about getting their leaders involved prior to the general employee campaign, to make sure the campaign is a top-down approach and part of the giving culture. AT&T asks their leaders to consider giving at the Leadership Giving level, individuals who give $1,000 or more annually, and senior leaders themselves like to throw down “challenges” between business units, where they all worked their competitive muscle in the spirit of fun and passion for helping the community.
With AT&T’s move of their corporate headquarters from San Antonio to Dallas, which is still happening, UWMD has been the beneficiary of some new Tocqueville donors, individuals who give $10,000 or more annually, in the community. AT&T had 6 new Tocqueville givers in this campaign, which won them an award for Tocqueville giving! We are looking forward to getting them involved in our events and leadership volunteer positions.
Year round engagement is important to AT&T / CWA on top of running an incredible United Way campaign in the fall. This pastspring, AT&T was involved in focus groups for United Way and had many employees involved in the Allocations Grant Panels. There are also several leaders within AT&T / CWA who serve as lead volunteers at UWMD. Holly Reed, Senior Vice President of External Affairs for AT&T Texas continues to be an active volunteer with the UWMD campaign cabinet, where she serves on the met with CEOs in the healthcare division to share best practices to help them see the same successes as AT&T. Frank Frulio, Sales Vice President Premier Client Group, is the vice-chair of the CollinCounty campaign of the campaign cabinet. Frank is an ongoing supporter of United Way, having served on the cabinet for over seven campaigns in almost every division. George Kennard, Client Business Manager Premier Client Group, has stepped up this year as the Steering Committee Chair of the African Americans Leadership Society (AALS).
In addition to employee giving through the UW campaign, AT&T has funded a transition program for 8th grade students and parents in Plano to help at-risk youth successfully transition to high school. Through a parental involvement program and a summer enrichment program, both students and parents will understand graduation requirements, their 4 year plan, and be supported as they make the critical transition from middle school to high school. Program partners include United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Plano ISD Administration, Bowman and ArmstrongMiddle Schools, WilliamsHigh School, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County, and the Dallas Concilio.
AT&T / CWAhas been a continued partner with United Way and we congratulate them on past successes and helping the North Texas Community to be a better place to live!
