Each summer, United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) organizes the Summer Conversations, a set of convenings in each NC region at a hosting office for Local United Way (LUW) leaders to take part in professional development and networking, specifically in working on the completion of a volunteer-led self-assessment of local United Way community impact work, financial management, and organizational governance and decision-making that is to be completed once every three years.
This year, the Local United Ways met to discuss the Thriving United Way Framework, informed by past UW Network performance frameworks, as well as best practices in the nonprofit and social sectors, providing a guide for the entire United Way Network to ensure that every UW is impactful, relevant, and sustainable for coming generations.
At each meeting, UWNC provided guidance through the framework, to help each LUW think about where their United Way is with each of the success factors, and have them walk away with enough information to complete most, if not all the assessment.
The groups discussed ways to engage donors, staff, board, and other stakeholders, and decided which month to submit their assessments.
Not only were the meetings jam-packed with discussions and learning opportunities, but also with bonding of close colleagues and friends, sharing laughs and life updates.
The following Conversations took place on:
- July 17th, hosted by United Way of Alamance County
- August 1st, hosted by Burke County United Way
- August 5th, hosted by Lenoir/Greene United Way
- August 23rd, hosted by Granville County United Way
United Way of North Carolina thanks the hosting Local United Ways for providing their office space, catering, and assistance with planning! Your hospitality is deeply appreciated. And thank you to all of the Local United Way leaders who attended the meetings!
July 17, 2024 - Summer Conversation 1 - Hosted by United Way of Alamance County
Pictured from left to right:
- Ed Bonilla, Director of Mission Advancement - United Way of North Carolina
- Sara Carlson, Mission Advancement Specialist - United Way of North Carolina
- Michelle Parrish, Executive Director - United Way of Richmond County
- David Mercado, Senior Director of Operations - United Way of North Carolina
- Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO - United Way of North Carolina
- Brett Eckerman, Executive Director - United Way of Iredell County
- Sally Gordon, Director of Mission Advancement - United Way of Alamance County
- Traci McLemore, Chief Community Impact Officer - United Way of Greater Greensboro
- Kristie Hege, President - United Way of Davidson County
- Candy Snyder, Community Engagement Manager - United Way of Alamance County
- Margaret Crites, Community Engagement Project Manager - Lumber River United Way
Not Pictured:
- Kendra Martin, Executive Director - United Way of Lee County
August 1, 2024 - Summer Conversation #2 - Hosted by Burke County United Way
Pictured from left to right:
- Ed Bonilla, Director of Mission Advancement - United Way of North Carolina
- Rebecca Hall, Executive Director - High Country United Way
- Coy Moody, Executive Director - United Way of Scotland County
- Sue Tidd, Executive Director - United Way of Beaufort County
- Maureen "Mo" Schwind, Executive Director - Burke County United Way
- Andrea Stephens, President - United Way of Gaston County
- Mark Bumgarner, Executive Director - Catawba County United Way
- Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO - United Way of North Carolina
Not pictured:
- Alisha Friday, Executive Director - United Way of Lincoln County
August 5, 2024 - Summer Conversation #3 - Hosted by Lenoir/Greene United Way
Pictured from left to right:
- Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO - United Way of North Carolina
- Judi Thurston, Executive Director - United Way of Wilson County
- Ginny Mohrbutter, Executive Director - United Way Tar River Region
- Dwain Cooper, President - United Way of Pitt County
- Molly Taylor, Executive Director - Lenoir/Greene United Way
- Sandra Phelps, Executive Director - United Way of Coastal Carolina
- Ed Bonilla, Director of Mission Advancement - United Way of North Carolina
August 23, 2024 - Summer Conversation #4 - Hosted by Granville County United Way
Pictured from left to right:
- Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO - United Way of North Carolina
- Rodd Smith, Senior Program Officer - United Way of Forsyth County
- Brenda Dickerson-Daniel, Executive Director - United Way of North Carolina
- Elgin Lane, President - United Way of Vance County
- Gwendolyn Williams, Office Manager - Life Line Outreach (and former President of United Way of Vance County)
- Ed Bonilla, Director of Mission Advancement - United Way of North Carolina
- Ann Hudson, Human Resources, United Way of Vance County
- Andrea Bell Wright, Executive Director - United Way of Franklin County