By: attagirl on 1/25/10
Do not give to the United Way! They extort donations from large employers by giving the execs and bosses sweet incentives, who then basically force the employees to agree to payroll-deducted donations. Also, UW pays their execs exhorbitant salaries (taken directly from your donations).

If you want to give to charity, cut out the middle man and give directly to the charity of your choice.

Btw, the dnj has disabled all comments on every article about the united way to prevent me from posting this on their site. Shame on them.

By: silence_dogood on 1/25/10
Rubbish. I run one of the campaigns for a local company and you know what "incentives" I get for doing it? Nothing but a thanks and a pat on the back, which is all that I would want anyway. The local UW funds several LOCAL community agencies in Rutherford and Cannon counties. One out of four people in OUR community benefits from at least one of these agencies. No one forces people to donate, it's all anonymous.

We live in a country that is truly wealthy and we have the means to help our neighbors and we should with an open and grateful heart.

By: blueraider222 on 1/25/10
Attagirl.....please post a name and number I will get Brian Hercules to contact you personally. I would bet he would meet with you one on one and probably open his books to you so you can see how the dollars are spent.

If you are not willinging to do this, close your mouth about the subject. Although, I know you won't but I can respect your opinion if you do leave a name and number or call Mr. Hercules to meet with him. If not, you have no merit to what you say.....you are being given an opportunity to be educated on the subject because right now you do not know the facts.

So, please step up or shut up.

Have a great day.

By: blueraider222 on 1/25/10
Attagirl.....you can reach Brian Hercules at 893-7303. Call and set up a meeting to get educated.

Have a great day.

By: Farmall on 1/25/10
This is one of the few times Attagirl and I are in complete agreement. And everything she said is true, I have seen it numerous times. And I have given many times to people in need, always directly bypassing the so called charities.

By: silence_dogood on 1/25/10
Farmall,
Name me one local executive that gets some sort of perk or kick-back from the UW to "force" their employees to give to the United Way. I've seen the wonders the UW provides to our community and it infuriates me when misinformed people want to try to bring down an outstanding organization. If "everything she said is true" then show some proof or shut it.

By: BrianHercules on 1/25/10
Thank you for the kind remarks related to United Way, we are a charity that fund raises for 45 partner agencies. I appreciate that many people use us as a charity of choice to advocate the needs of many that need help. I also can appreciate that some folks would chose to give directly to needs in the community, the bottom line is we all need to provide help to the needy. I would ask and invite anyone that has concers about your United Way to work from fact not hear say. It does not help anyone to spew untruth. If you have questions please call me or visit your United Way.

By: attagirl on 1/25/10
I used to work for a large consulting firm (one of the top 5). Each year, UW came in and we were all required to attend their big breakfast they supplied all 65 of us, while we sat through their presentation. Then we weren't allowed out of the room until we had returned our sign-up forms, REQUIRED by my supervisors in which I was pressured to donate to UW through payroll deduction.

That meal alone cost them hundreds of dollars. Where do you think that money came from? They sent 3 UW representatives, to guilt us into payroll deduction.

There is nothing Brian Hercules can tell me that will make me change my opinion. I watched them spend probably thousands of dollars each year (for six in a row, for the record), pressuring us to give. Our supervisors received nice little gifts for "100% participation" of their supervisees.

I don't like those tactics.

By: attagirl on 1/25/10
I am happy that the post allows comments on UW articles, and I do appreciate Mr. Hercules responding.

I still think giving directly gets the most bang for your charity buck.

Btw, this article is about State Farm's donation from its employees. Wonder how they convinced so many of its employees to donate? Payroll deduction perhaps? Through required-attendance meetings conducted by your direct supervisor and a UW rep?

No pressure there. No wonder they raised so much.

By: BrianHercules on 1/26/10
State Farm is very community minded, they give to United Way as well as several other chairities. No one was forced to give. I am not sure where or when you had a experence with United Way but I would bet it was not in Murfreesboro. Each United Way works with a local Board of Directors and your local United Way appreciateds those who give and we work hard to ensure donor dollars meet the needs of the community. Again I appreciate your willingness to give and would ask that you give as you see fit. Please understand for many United Way does serve as a vehicle for them to give back, if you want to say things about your United Way please come to us and get the facts before you make harsh comments.

By: attagirl on 1/26/10
My harsh comments are truthful ones. My company was located in Nashville,not Rutherford County.

I'm sure if you look at the fine print, you are absolutely right - no one was "forced" to give. But were the State Farm employees taken into a meeting room with their direct supervisor present and given all the United Way paperwork to fill out? Were they required to return the completed forms to their direct supervisor?

If so, they were "forced."

I'm sure that a lot of the UW dollars help a lot of people, and that is a good thing. Your volunteers are genuine and dedicated. But I still believe that a lot of those dollars are wasted on the corporate "programs" and executive salaries. (I was the recipient of many, many UW provided meals at my place of employment).

By: Farmall on 1/26/10
Attagirl, I feel even more cheated. All I ever recieved was the yearly guilt trip. Never got a free meal or anything else in return for my required yearly guilting. Course I have always had the guts to tell them no.

By: attagirl on 1/26/10
I worked for a very hoity-toity company with higher ups in state government. Maybe that's why we got catered meals every year.

By: Newport1 on 1/26/10
Answer this honestly... Is it true that Brian Gallagher United Way of America’s President and CEO, makes WELL over $500,000 a year? That's the rumor. Please dispel it and change my mind too.

By: attagirl on 1/26/10
From 2005:

As you open your pockets for yet another natural disaster, keep these facts in mind:

Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross... salary for year ending 06/30/03 was $651,957 plus expenses.


Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way receives a $375,000 base salary, plus numerous expense benefits.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.

Source: about.com

And another .. Chief Executive : Brian A. Gallagher, President and CEO
Compensation*: $973,535

Source: Better Business Bureau.

By: attagirl on 1/26/10
I'm guessing his $973,535 compensation package could be much better spent on actual charity. And since it is a non-profit, am I correct in assuming his salary comes from donations to UW.

By: Newport1 on 1/26/10
Well, now... That's what we need to know!

By: attagirl on 1/26/10
Where are you, Mr. Hercules? I know you're reading this thread. Can you justify United Way paying the CEO a million bucks a year? And can you tell us where that million comes from?

By: BrianHercules on 1/27/10
First let me say any question you have about United Way of Rutherford and Cannon County can be answered by coming to our office, we will be glad to show you are income and expenses. What is raised in this county stays in this county. We are governed by a local board. For the cash incentives and meals again I will be glad to show you we have bought none. Many of our campaigns have been good campaigns and most are with less than 50% of the employees giving....no one is forced. I appreciate your passion and again I would ask that before you make harsh comments you need the facts. I can not speak to Mr. Gallagher's salary, I don't work for him. He is the CEO of United Way World Wide, not the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Co. We work again with a local board and answer to this community. This is my last post.....again I invite anyone to call 893-7303 or come by youe United Way if you have questions.

By: attagirl on 1/27/10
Thank you for answering, sincerely. It's more than we usually get from any officials at all.

I believe what you're saying about Rutherford County United Way. If you tell me that only 50% of employees in your corporate campaigns sign up, I have no reason not to believe that, and I hope it's true. That would tell me that people weren't pressured the way I was.

By: Farmall on 1/27/10
Mr Hercules: So if we want the answers to these questions, we have to come by in person. So I assume you don't want these answers to be in the general public. So if I come see you, will you allow me to tape record it or take pictures or get a copy of this information?

By: ddj on 1/27/10
Farmall--that is not what Mr. Hercules is telling you. I am sure the reason he would like for you to appear in person is so that he may answer all of your questions. If you desire to look at the financials I am sure he will let you do so while you are at the Unitedy Way. Going back and forth in this forum is not helping any.

Attagirl--you really need to learn the facts before spreading this nonsense. I have been asked to speak at numerous businesses on behalf of U Way, including at State Farm over 10 times. No pressure was EVER put on any employee. In fact, State Farm has a process in which if the employees want to pledge to the U Way they have to go and fill out their information at their work station. No pressure. If there was pressure then I am sure their employee participation would be nearly 100%, of which I believe it is currently around 20%.

As for the salaries of the CEO's of non-profits I am sure you know the board of directors sets the salary, not the CEO themselves.

By: attagirl on 1/27/10
ddj, I'm not spreading nonsense. I was there. It happened to me. Good for state farm for having a process where the employees don't feel pressured. 20% participation backs up what you are saying (although I find it hard to believe that only 20% of their employees donated $100K).

My company's participation was near 100%. What does that tell you?

By: ddj on 1/28/10
attagirl--I am sure it may have happened to you when you worked for a top 5 consulting firm. I would ask, however, if the pressure was from U Way or your employer? The U Way is not in the business to pressure anyone. Now, I have heard employers doing it, but not the U Way. If it is the employer applying the pressure then that is something you need to deal with them, not blast the U Way.

As for the meals at the "pressure meeting" I would bet that meal was provided by the employer, not the U Way. Like I said before, I have had the honor to speak on behalf of the U Way to many businesses. When there was food available it has ALWAYS been supplied by the business.

The U Way is a convenient avenue in which employees can give to the overall needs of the community through payroll deduction. The funds allocated are strictly governed by a group of volunteers made up of the community. This same group of volunteers look closely at each organization's finances along with their program outcomes, thus ensuring money is well used for the benefit of the community.

FYI--State Farm conducts an enormous amounts of various fundraising events, e.g. bake sales, to add up to the $100,000. Also, I might add that corporate has almost a dollar for dollar match which might explain how only 20% participation can equal that amount.

By: Farmall on 1/28/10
Attagirl, you know why your getting so much heat? Its because your affecting people with very high paying jobs. Some nonprofits have some of the highest paying jobs in the country. Course you know this from your comments. The general public has no idea how much some of these charities pay their "higher ups".

By: attagirl on 1/28/10
I'm sorry, ddj, I just don't buy it. If I only have X number of dollars available to give to charity, why would I give to a charity with such high administrative expenses? Why not give to the Salvation Army instead, where I know all of my donation will help the needy, instead of paying the CEO a million bucks a year?

I stand by my advice to GIVE DIRECTLY AND CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN.

By: ddj on 1/28/10
Farmall--I do not believe attagirl is receiving any heat as you write. Simply telling her to write about the facts not her opinion. When you say nonprofits have the highest paying jobs in the country my question is REALLY?

Also, Farmall I would add that you need to separate the local non-profits from the national organizations. Just because the national U Way CEO makes what he/she does, it should in no way descriminate toward our local autonomous U Way.

Attagirl--I agree with you about giving directly to the charity itself. It IS better to give directly. However, it is much easier to give through payroll deduction to the U Way if your employer has such a campaign. Not too many employers have a system in place in which employees can automatically have their payroll deducted to give to their charities of choice. Most employers opt for the U Way campaign because it "hits" a multitude of worthwhile agencies at once.

BTW--the local U Way has a very low administrative expense. You are correct in speaking of The Salvation Army, which traditionally is considered one of the best charities to contribute to. FYI--Salvation Army is just one of the 45 U Way agencies throughout our good county.

By: Farmall on 1/29/10
I believe she is writing about the facts, her experiences and mine are very similar. And as far as the high salaries she already proved that.

By: Boo on 1/30/10
Farmall- While you're there with your recorder, see if Mr.Hercules will disclose His annual salary. And find out how much of our donations and donations of other counties float up to Corperate Headquarters. If he says "none" then ask him who funds the huge base salary and compensation money for Mr.Gallagher. I agree with you and attagirl. Salvation Army and Room at the Inn.

By: ddj on 2/1/10
Farmall--True, she is writing about her experiences, however, it is important to discern perception from reality. She said U Way paid for all of the food when she along with other employees had to attend a meeting in which they were pressured to give to the U Way. Again, I am almost 100% sure the U Way did NOT pay for any meals.

As for the high salaries nothing was proved. The CEOs of major non-profits make what they do. They run multi-million/billion businesses. Just because it is a non-profit does not mean people who are employed have to be paid minimum wage.

BOO--You can ask Mr. Hercules yourself. His salary information is available for anyone wishing to know it. All charities must disclose the salaries of individuals making over $50,000 on the organization's Form 990. I do know that Mr. Hercules took a major cut in salary to become the U Way CEO. He did that because he believes in the mission and purpose of the U Way.

Also, a small amount (less than 1%) goes to the national U Way which is to pay for the U Way logo, marketing and other associated costs when dealing with a national organization. The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Big Brother/Big Sister, Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA all have these associated costs, although the degree varies.

Finally--if you do not like giving to the U Way then simply don't do it. Is is YOUR choice. Please don't, however, discourage others from doing so because ultimately it hurts the non-profits and the clients it serves each and everyday.