Thanks for helping make the 2006 Campaign a success!

As we wind down the campaign, this will be our last weekly e-newsletter. Requests for speakers are now less frequent, but we may still ask for you help in the next weeks as late-running campaigns kick off.

We’d like to take a moment to offer you a huge thanks to all of you. To date, members of the Speakers Bureau have given 266 campaign meeting presentations – the largest number of Speakers Bureau meetings in the past five years!

We know that many of you take time from your personal lives to speak on our behalf, which makes your gift all the more special. You also gave us the gift of patience and understanding when you gracefully responded to changed meeting times, last-minute requests and canceled meetings.

Because of your commitment, thousands of people have learned about the important work United Way agencies do for residents of Central New York – and they have responded with their pledges. As of today, we have received $5,409,813. Thanks in no small part to you, we are well on our way to our goal of $9.5 million. We are honored by your partnership in this effort. Thank you!

We’d like to recognize our top 10 agencies, by numbers of speaking engagements

Salvation Army - 29
YMCA of Greater Syracuse - 25
Catholic Charities - 22
Consortium for Children’s Services - 18
Vera House - 17
Food Bank of Central New York - 12
P.E.A.C.E., Inc. - 11
Exceptional Family Resources - 10
Liberty Resources - 7
On Point for College - 6

And we’d like to recognize our top 10 speakers, by numbers of speaking engagements

Nancy Kronen (Salvation Army) - 12
Amy LoConte (YMCA) - 9
Oscar Vergara (P.E.A.C.E., Inc.) - 9
Joanne Eddy (Salvation Army) - 8
Cheryl Walker (YMCA) - 7
Tom Slater (Food Bank of CNY) - 7
Ginny Donohue (On Point for College) - 6
Michelle Haas (Catholic Charities) - 6
Linda McNally (Salvation Army) - 6
Nolasco Mercado (Catholic Charities) - 6
Lisa Pachmayer (YMCA) - 6

This week’s special recognitions:

New speaker/early riser
We are pleased to welcome Angelo Procopio, Aurora Board Member, to Speakers Bureau. Angelo was available to speak at the last minute at Crucible Steel, which he did for six meetings – starting at 6 am! Thanks, Angelo, and thanks also to Anne Costa of Aurora, who recognized how appropriately he could fill our need.

Late night on a week off
Thanks to Nolasco Mercado from Catholic Charities’ Vincent House, who spoke at Atlas Linen at 9 p.m. one evening during his week off.

YMCA appreciation
Special thanks go to Amy LoConte, Lisa Pachmayer and Cheryl Walker of the North Area YMCA. Time and time again, Amy, Lisa and Cheryl have stepped up to take on early, late and weekend meetings, often with very little notice. We appreciate it!

Reminders:

• If you have not yet completed a survey for a meeting you attended, please take a minute to do so – giving us the information we need to make Speakers Bureau run as smoothly as possible. If you have lost the link to your survey, or have questions, please call Fritz Diddle at 428-2235.
• We hope to see you all at the Achievement Celebration in January at the OnCenter. Look for your invitation in the mail.
• Stay tuned for special Speakers Bureau announcements.