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United Way Capital Area - Young Leaders Society
  Young Leaders Society July 2008  
YLS Presents: the BACK TO SCHOOL TRIFECTA
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE - July 7 - 31st

Yes, it's that time of year again. It's time for our annual Basic Necessities Back to School Drive. Help a needy child start the school year off right! Hold a drive at your workplace.

We are starting the drive a bit earlier this year so can we complete it by the beginning of August and give the agencies time to distribute the supplies. We will be donating to the same agencies this year as we did last year, which include:
  • Communities in Schools - stocks closets at local schools with school supplies for their clients.
  • Partnerships for Children - runs The Rainbow Room which is a resource for children in the Foster Care system.
  • Manos de Cristo - will hand out the school supplies we collect at their annual Back to School events where needy families are able to get supplies and new clothes for their children.
We will pick up, sort, and distribute the supplies on Aug 1st. If you are interested in holding a school supply drive at your company, please contact Susan Gustavson, susan.gustavson@ni.com, 512-683-5794.
  
"BACK TO SCHOOL" Movie Screening - August 14 - Save the Date!

Co-Sponsored with Y-FOCIS (Young Friends of Communities in Schools)

Only $10 for school supply donors!

After collecting hoards of school supplies for our local children in need, come relive the 1980s and watch Rodney Dangerfield have "no class" in the classic "Back To School"

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Alamo Drafthouse Theater - Village

Click here to RSVP for the "BACK TO SCHOOL" Movie Screening
  
BACK TO SCHOOL VOLUNTEER EVENT - MANOS DE CRISTO - August 16


We will also help Manos de Cristo hand out school supplies on August 16th from 8:00am-12:00 noon.

Please let Susan Gustavson know if you or your company plan on participating in the drive or if you want to participate in the Back to School event at Manos de Christo.

Susan Gustavson, susan.gustavson@ni.com, 512-683-5794

Leadership Horizons 2008
After a very successful two-night leadership training program, we would like to thank our sponsors, Applied Materials and Haynes & Boone for their generous support of United Way Capital Area's Young Leaders Society!

Participants had the opportunity to interact with engaging speakers Heather McKissik, Patsy Woods-Martin, Earl Maxwell, Julia Cuba and Maggie Huebner. We examined Central Texas community issues and developed our own personal leadership vision and a plan to make it happen!

Special thanks to Leadership Austin for providing two rewarding and educational evenings.

We look forward to seeing all of you next year!





Dorian Fogo, Sally Campbell, Bill Kempf


Heather McKissick and Earl Maxwell

The 100% True Story of "Live United"
Perhaps you've taken some time to visit our new Web site: www.liveunitedcentraltexas.org.

While there, you might have watched a few mini-documentaries about our work, or written a letter to your state representative, or just gotten familiar with your new United Way Capital Area.

But where did this new look and feel come from? And what exactly is "Live United" anyway?

"Live United" is a national initiative and invitation to join United Way in addressing our community problems together. It's an acknowledgement that when combined, our individual passions, skills, and effort can make real impact in the lives of others and therefore, ourselves. We can advance the common good, together.

Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

Those are the three pillars of the "Live United" movement. Anyone-literally anyone-can lend their voice to the community through one or all of those actions. They can give to United Way and make an investment in the future of Central Texas. They can advocate for an issue or cause they believe in through United Way resources. And they can volunteer their time, energy, and expertise.

"Live United" is about creating opportunities for everyone to succeed, so we're focusing on the building blocks of a good life: Education, Health, and Financial Stability. A good education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. These are where we're focusing our efforts because we believe they are fundamental to a successful and happy life.

United Way joined forces with McCann Erickson, one of the largest and most influential ad agencies in the world, to visually embody the "Live United" spirit. You can see it here, in this newsletter, and all over the new United Way Web site: www.liveunitedcentraltexas.org. McCann Erickson, working pro bono, managed to capture the spirit and mission of the "new" United Way.

If you haven't taken a moment to explore our new Web site, go ahead do so now. Don't worry. We'll wait right here while you check it out. We're all in this together, after all.

Photo Gallery

Here are some photos from the June 21 event, "Live United: A Call to Action." Thanks to everyone who attended this fun, family-friendly event celebrating the launch of the new Live United movement in Austin.

In the early hours of a warm Saturday morning, the Live United movement kicks off at Jo's Coffee on South Congress.

As the kickoff event kicks off, the Zen runners prepare to take off on a run around Town Lake, all sporting their promise to "Live United."

Two excited United Wayers pose for the first of many "Live United" photos throughout the day.

Is there any better way to show how you Live United than by offering a cup of coffee?

As their parents pose for a Live United portrait and learn about what United Way is doing in the community, these girls just want to focus on their Play-Doh masterpieces.

Exactly.

Becoming a Community Leader

Hands On Central Texas, the volunteer center of United Way, presents several ways to arm yourself with the skills of a community leader: The Community Innovation Workshops & Volunteer Project Leader Training.

Volunteer Project Leader Training - July 17, 2008

Community Innovation Workshop - July 24, 2008

And save the date of September 5, 2008, for our Fall Day of Caring, presented by Freescale.

1. VOLUNTEER PROJECT LEADER TRAINING
Supported by AMD

July 17, 2008
9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
WorkSource - 6505 Airport Blvd., #101E; Austin, TX 78752
Volunteer Project Leader Training is aimed at community members who are looking to turn their knowledge and enthusiasm into action and involvement. Following this 3-hour training, participants will be equipped with the tools and the know-how to lead volunteer projects in their communities.

2. COMMUNITY INNOVATION WORKSHOPS
Presented by the University of Texas and Hands On Central Texas
The Community Innovation Workshops equip citizen leaders through technical sessions that accelerate community change.

Next workshop: "Changing Community Conditions"
July 24, 2008
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
United Way Offices: 2000 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78702
United Way's purpose is to engage and unite the community to advance the common good. Come find out how United Way plans to change community conditions through the areas of education, financial stability and health, and to create opportunities for individuals, families and neighborhoods to succeed. Register at www.handsoncentraltexas.org.
4th Annual United Way Capital Area Speakers Event



5 Volunteer Tips

As always, the single quickest and best ways to find a volunteer opportunity are to either visit the volunteer section of United Way Capital Area online, or to dial 2-1-1.

  1. Be selective
    Think about what matters to you, and be selective about where you spend your time. Choosing opportunities that make you feel good while helping others builds stronger communities, and enriches your own life at the same time.

  2. Choose carefully
    Hands on Central Texas works with volunteers and local nonprofits to develop the best opportunities for youth, busy working adults and seniors to serve. When you work with United Way, you can feel confident about the quality of the opportunity you choose and about the organization you donate your time to support.

  3. Research causes that are important to you
    Whether it's helping children achieve their potential, helping families become financially stable, or improving people's health, find out what cause is closest to your heart and make a difference.

  4. Consider the skills you have to offer
    Would you like to write an agency's newsletter? Or would you rather build a house? Find something you enjoy doing and enhance your skills through volunteering.

  5. Learn something new
    Volunteering can also teach you valuable new skills that you can use in other parts of your life. For example, learning how to handle crisis calls may help you communicate better.

  
The 2007 United Way Capital Area Community Report


We are pleased to announce the release of our 2006-2007 Annual Community Report. 2007 was an exciting year for us, as we launched our new organizational direction known as Community Impact. The Community Impact model represents a significant change for United Way, an organization that's been a proud member of Central Texas for more than 80 years.

More than just an autobiography of the past 18 months, this Annual Report looks the future squarely in the eye. We wanted to chart a clear course for you, our supporters and friends. See where we were, where we are, and where we're headed.

So take a moment to download the 2007 United Way Capital Area Annual Report. We hope the report illustrates how we intend to change community conditions and provide opportunities for everyone in our community to succeed.

This Month's Features


UWCA Events

  Tuesday, July 15
YLS Lunch With Leaders

  Tuesday, July 29
YLS Ambassadors- SAVE THE DATE!

All YLS Ambassadors are invited to an appreciation event at the Round Rock Express game against the Sacramento River Cats at 6:00pm on July 29, 2008. The suite was generously provided by Corkoran Energy.


  Thursday, August 14
"BACK TO SCHOOL" Movie Screening

  Friday, November 14
YLS Wild Night Out

Want to join this year's Wild Night Out planning committee??? If so, please contact Christine Fernandez at fernandezchristine@sbcglobal.net.

...see all news & events
Thank Yous
  • Everyone who attended "Live United: A Call to Action" event on June 21
  • Zen Running Team, for Living United and running around Lady Bird Lake to prove it
  • Sally Campbell



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Questions about Young Leaders Society? Want to join? Have an event you think YLS members should know about?
Contact Dorian Fogo, Manager, Young Leaders Society, at dorian.fogo@unitedwaycapitalarea.org
or by phone at 512.225.0358


did you know?
15.2% of Travis County residents live below the federal poverty level.
- Source: 2006 U.S. Census