UNITED WAY 2010-2011 CAMPAIGN CHAIR

The United Way of Douglas County is pleased to announce the

2010-2011 Campaign Chair Beverly Smith Billings

Beverly Smith Billings is chairwoman of Alvamar Development Corporation and has been president and managing broker of Alvamar Realty, Inc. since 1991. She earned bachelor’s degrees in French and psychology and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Kansas. She worked for over 25 years in various capacities in his development of Alvamar in west Lawrence with her late husband Bob Billings.

Bev LIVES UNITED through her impressive history and continued commitment to community service. She currently serves on the United Way Board of Directors; the KU Endowment Association Board of Trustees; the KUEA Property Management Committee; the Lied Performance Fund Board of Governors; the Advisory Board for the KU School of Business International Center for Ethics in Business; the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center Advisory Board; the KU Heritage Advisory Board; the H. Neil Mecaskey, Jr. Foundation Board of Trustees; and the Rotary Service Project and Foundation Committees.

Bev recently completed a six-year term on the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Board, co-chaired its $8.1M capital campaign, and continues to serve on its Finance Committee. She has also served on boards and committees for Women Philanthropists for KU, Douglas County Senior Services, Penn House, Lawrence Children’s Choir, and Kansas International.

Bev has been inducted into the University of Kansas Women’s Hall of Fame and has been named a KU Woman of Distinction. She is a founding member of the Emily Taylor and Marilyn Stokstad Women’s Leadership Lecture Series.

UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN RESULTS
& COMMUNITY-WIDE PLANNING PROCESS

The United Way of Douglas County held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 24, at the Central Junior High Auditorium. Board President Chuck Warner invited local historian Katie Armitage to share information about the building, formerly known as the Liberty Memorial High School. With history as a springboard, the United Way reviewed the past year’s board and campaign activities. Jane and Scot Buxton, 2009 Campaign Co-Chairs, announced a final campaign result of $1,760,000. These funds will be allocated to 24 Partner Agencies providing health and human services to Douglas County residents. The Buxtons also introduced the 2010 Campaign Chair, Beverly Smith Billings.

United Way also announced that it is beginning a community-wide planning process with the intent to shift toward Community Impact funding. Over the past decade, the importance of measuring agency outcomes has illustrated the value of program accountability at the service provider level. United Way would like to shift this accountability to a more inclusive level by engaging the public to help United Way clearly define community problems, lasting solutions, and measurable outcomes. Click here to read more.

2010 Capacity Building Workshops for Non-Profit Leaders

In order to strengthen the community, the United Way of Douglas County and the Douglas County Community Foundation are pleased to present a series of workshops designed to build the capacity of non-profit organizations by developing the skills of non-profit staff members and volunteers..

These professional training opportunities are free and open to all non-profit staff and volunteers. Most workshops will be conducted at the K-State Extension building, 2110 Harper (Douglas County Fairgrounds) on the 2nd Tuesdays of the Month from 11:45 to 1:00 PM. Brown Bag lunches are encouraged.

2010 SCHEDULE PREVIEW (click here for printable brochure)

Tuesday, January 12: FUNDRAISING

Tuesday, February 9: MARKETING

Tuesday, March 9: COMMUNICATION

Tuesday, April 13: VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Tuesday, May 11: STRATEGIC PLANNING

Tuesday, September 14: FINANCE

Tuesday, October 12: BOARD DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, November 9: PERSONNEL

United Way 2009 Campaign Celebration

Scot and Jane Buxton, 2009 Campaign Co-Chairs, were joined by Becky and Harry Gibson, Campaign Celebration Committee Co-Chairs to host the December 1st event held at Maceli’s. Campaign Volunteers across Douglas County were acknowledged for their extra efforts to make the Campaign a success. Area businesses were also recognized for outstanding participation in the campaign (see Campaign Awards).

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.