Each year, United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) Visiting Allocation Team (VAT) helps guide strategic funding decisions for its 79 partner agencies, shaping programs that serve needs throughout the community. VAT members are local volunteers from diverse backgrounds who represent a broad cross-section of Central Alabama. Organized into smaller teams, each led by a chairperson, they visit assigned agencies to learn about their work, results and future plans.
Making Every Dollar Count
One of those team leaders James Mathews first got involved with UWCA by serving as a Loaned Executive. Local companies and other organizations typically select one or more of their own employees to serve as Loaned Executives by working on behalf of UWCA for 13-weeks during the Annual Campaign.
Following an initial training period, participants call on area employers seeking support for United Way partners and programs; and they help the companies develop and implement their own workplace campaigns designed to encourage employee giving. The experience gave Mathews a look behind the scenes at how efficiently UWCA and its partner agencies run.
“It gave me an example to give those who may be on the fence about donating,” said Mathews. “Every dollar truly is accounted for.”
When his service as a Loaned Executive came to an end, Mathews opted to stay involved with UWCA by serving on the Visiting Allocation Team. In doing so, he began to understand the volume of work happening within the community thanks to UWCA and its partner agencies. For each of his four years serving on VAT, Mathews visited at least one UWCA partner agency that he had previously never heard of — bringing the breadth of United Way’s work in health and human services into perspective.
“Seeing the gap these agencies fill made me realize that they are doing something really important for our community,” said Mathews.
Service-Driven Leadership
Two years after Mathews began serving on VAT, one of the team chairs was unable to fulfill the role. Mathews’ dedication and leadership as a team member led to him being invited to step in as a VAT chair.
He took the responsibility in stride, reviewing agency materials, developing thoughtful questions and leading discussions with his team – much the same way he does as Continuous Improvement Project Manager at Thompson Tractor Company, where he makes sure each member of his team feels included and heard.
The scale at which UWCA partner agencies prepare for a VAT visit surprised Mathews at first.
“It’s not just a one-page book report that they prepare. These agencies really take [VAT] visits seriously and enjoy having their chance to shine.”
Likewise, volunteers give their time, talent and passion to help ensure that community resources are invested wisely and that UWCA partner agencies can continue making a meaningful impact across Central Alabama.
For Mathews, the reason to get involved with VAT is simple. “It really is a neat process,” he said. “I love doing it and I love serving the community.”
To learn more about VAT, click here.