Organization Descriptions
Administrative
Board of Directors meets on the second Monday of each month, except July and December, at 5:30pm at the United Way office. A quorum of eight is needed to vote on any issues.
Executive Committee meets on the first Monday of each month, except July and December, at 4:00pm at the United Way office. The Executive Committee is made up of the officers of the board along with any at large members from the Board and the community. The committee functions as the Audit Committee and Personnel Committee as well as approving Board meeting agenda items, reviewing the day to day operations and working on the policies and procedures for the office.
BARC (Budget and Agency Relations Committee) meets on the second Monday of June, September, October, November and December at 4:00 at the United Way office prior to the Board meeting. Agency site visits start during the summer and continue into the fall. Agency presentations are done in January and the final committee meeting is in February to determine the allocation amounts. Membership is open to Board members and community residents with an interest in non-profit work.
Special Events meets on an as needed basis to plan the Day of Caring, Volunteer Appreciation Day, campaign events and any other events that happen during the year. Membership is open to anyone.
Community Impact works on the strategic plan for the future of Berwick Area United Way as the organization moves toward a full commitment to community impact. Consultants as well as faculty and students from both Bucknell and Bloomsburg Universities are working with the group to identify needs and priority areas for United Way funding. In 2009, the committee selected financial literacy as the area to fund. Membership at this time is open to Board members and community residents.
Campaign Committee works to make campaign a more year round event with business meet and greets, development of a campaign video and materials, selection of campaign chair and solicitation of volunteers to work on the campaign. The committee meets on an as needed basis. Membership is open to Board members and community residents.
Programs
VITA site is a free state and federal income tax filing which started in January 2009 for the first time in the Berwick area. The service is directed primarily at working families who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and who are eligible for free e-filing. IRS trained and certified volunteers prepare the returns and provide additional information on financial assistance and other benefit programs.
Day of Caring is a community work day held in April with planning starting in January. Letters need to be sent out to the area non-profits letting them know of the date and asking them to submit projects by the end of February. In March, letters need to go to the community asking for volunteers that day. Attached with the letter is a list of the projects to choose.
Letter Carriers Food Drive is held in May at the Berwick Post office. Ron Seferyn is the contact at the post office 752-4181. Ron sets everything up on, contacts the paper and gets the food. United Way is responsible for getting volunteers to help with pickups and contacting the local food banks with the date and time.
Community Soup Kitchen is a free lunch open to anyone held every Saturday 10:30 – 12:00 (volunteers needed 9-1) at the Salvation Army on Second Street, Berwick. Volunteer groups recruited, trained and scheduled by Berwick Area United Way plan a meal, buy the food, prepare it, serve the guests and clean-up. BAUW Board members volunteer to pick up baked goods donated by Giant and Dalo’s which are used for lunch and also given to the guests. The United Way shares expenses with the Salvation Army on this program (example: coffee, sugar, plates, cups, etc.)
Columbia County Children and Youth Advisory Committee is a volunteer group which fills unmet needs such as a prom gown, college application fees or new clothes for disadvantaged children and those in foster care.
Special Program Grants is a fund open to any 501c3 agency that needs some start up funds for a program. An application must be filled out and reviewed by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will either deny the request or pass it on to the Board of Directors for approval. Grant range is $0-$3,000.
Community Emergency Resource Fund is for one time emergency needs for Berwick area residents. A client talks to either the Red Cross or the Salvation Army about the request and completes an application for assistance. The application is reviewed by the Directors from the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Berwick Area United Way. If approved, funding comes from the Berwick Area United Way.
Prescription Assistance is provided through publicity about and distribution of the Familywize prescription assistance card. The cards are available in area pharmacies, doctors’ offices and at the BAUW office.
Youth Awards are given annually to three seniors at Berwick High School and one senior from the Berwick area at Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech. The awards are $100.00 each and are given based on volunteer service in the community.
Non-Profit Academy is a joint project with Luzerne County Community College and the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation which provides classes, seminars and workshops for county non-profits to improve their management and operations.
Other Organizations
Columbia County Human Service Coalition and Coalition Board: Berwick Area United Way has a board seat for this organization of community service groups, non-profit, government and for profit, which serve Columbia County. The Board meets every other month and the full coalition meets 5 times a year. There is a paid membership that is due in December/January and runs a calendar year. Agencies inform the group of funding issues, programs and local events. There have been many local taskforces that have been established from this group, including the 2007 Columbia County Community Needs Assessment and support for the 2010 Homeless Plan.
Columbia/Montour Chamber of Commerce: Berwick Area United Way is a paid member of the Chamber and is invited to all Chamber events.
Regional United Way Meetings: Berwick Area United Way is involved with the Susquehanna River Region which meets the first Wednesday of every other month at 8:30 AM at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville. The group is comprised of directors and volunteers from seven United Ways from Berwick to Williamsport who meet to discuss current issues in United Way and cooperate on such things as marketing materials, allocation applications and campaign events.
Columbia County FEMA Board: Berwick Area United Way has a seat on the FEMA Board. The group meets as needed to allocate funding provided by FEMA for emergency services. The members review agency applications, allocate the funds and provide guidance to be sure FEMA requirements are met.
Campaign
The annual United Way fundraising campaign starts with a Kickoff Event after Labor Day and runs until the middle of November. Campaign planning usually starts in May and Pacesetters and President’s Society members are contacted in August. The Finale Event is at the end of November and campaign closes at the end of December.
Annual Meeting
the annual meeting is held in January to meet legal requirements, elect new Board members and Board officers, thank volunteers and recognize retiring Board members.
Allocations
Allocation packets are given to the partner agencies in August to be due October 31st. ABRC volunteers conduct site visits for each agency and prepare written reports on the visit. Binders of the allocation packets are given to each BARC member in December to review before the presentations. Allocations are based on the funds raised in the current campaign to be paid that calendar year.