91成人导航

Alumna Kristen Birtwhistle, CEO of United Way of San Joaquin County, speaks during the kick-off luncheon held at 91成人导航.

United Way campaign update: Q&A with 91成人导航 alumna Kristen Birtwhistle, United Way SJC鈥檚 new CEO

91成人导航鈥檚 United Way Campaign kicked off on Oct. 28 and will continue through the Open Enrollment period, which ends Nov. 24, 2019. Kristen Birtwhistle, 鈥�81, 鈥�87, is in her first year as chief executive officer for United Way of San Joaquin County. She recently talked with Community Relations Director Mike Klocke, 91成人导航鈥檚 United Way campaign chair, about goals, dreams, needs and changes in United Way moving forward.

United Way is an important part of our community outreach efforts for all three campuses. Please consider making a pledge for the campaign. All faculty and staff who pledge to the campaign are eligible for weekly prizes through drawings (see below for details).

Mike Klocke: While you are in your first year as United Way CEO, you have been active in campaigns while working at Kaiser Permanente for many years. Can you describe what United Way means to San Joaquin County?
Kristen Birtwhistle: Well, it is simple. United Way is an iconic organization that has been in our communities since 1926. It has significant brand and trust credibility and is an agency that exists to give back to our nonprofits. As a first-year CEO, I learn every day about the miracles that United Way of San Joaquin County (UWSJC) has created, both large and small. The employee-giving campaigns are our secret sauce. What that means to me is that our legacy of giving via great campaigns brings ongoing dollars to programs, services and to people in need. It means change, it means hope and it means creating better communities.

Q: You are a proud 91成人导航 alumna and remain very active with the university. Why is 91成人导航 such an important part of the overall United Way picture?
A: I was raised a TIGER! My father and my grandfather both went to 91成人导航 and my playground during my younger years was the 91成人导航 campus. 91成人导航 is important due to those experiences, including being part of the UOP tennis program. 91成人导航 is also one of our largest donor organizations. Each year, 91成人导航 employees work together to draw donations out to the community but also back to campus. Several programs on campus have been benefactors of our dollars. 91成人导航 has a heart for giving back!

Q: United Way locally has chosen to focus on education and homelessness this year. What went into that decision, and how do you think United Way can make an impact?
A: Before I began my tenure as CEO, I spent several months studying UWSJC and talking to well over 200 people. In most cases, people wanted UWSJC to make homelessness and education a pillar of its work. We see the challenges people face who experience homelessness and see the power of how an education can transform people from living lives on the streets. The two are intertwined. Our goal is to work with other agencies, to mobilize, to collectively work together to help in both areas of focus. These are our social impact areas and we want to see measurable outcomes as a result.

Q: United Way of San Joaquin County is using the acronym 鈥淏OLD鈥� to describe its new approach. Tell us what it means.
A: Yes, BOLD is our new tag line! It symbolizes how we want to pursue our goals, work with our staff and community and how we plan to go 鈥� where no person has gone before (using the old Star Trek theme). B stands for Become, O stands for Optimize, L stands for Leadership and D stands for Deliver. We want to Become a stronger, data-driven agency. We want to Optimize our contact with donors. We want to Lead and convene others toward common goals. And we must Deliver our mission.

Q: United Way agencies nationwide traditionally set monetary goals for annual campaigns. This year, United Way of San Joaquin County has a 鈥減articipant鈥� goal. Explain the rationale behind that approach.
A: Typically, UWSJC has set a lofty dollar amount intended to get folks excited about hitting a multi-million-dollar mark. I like to think in different ways. Our goal is to inspire a much higher percentage of people to contribute, both small and large. We call it the multiplier effect. In most cases, setting a specific target can be deflating but if you simply inspire more people to give, then great things happen. It is the new math!

Q: Any final thoughts to share?
A: From my new vantage point, our goal to shift the way people think about United Way. We are working toward creating a fresh 21st century approach, to revitalize the agency and to win over future donors. We want to change the fabric of our communities for the better.

How 91成人导航 employees can get involved in this year's campaign

Employees have the option to make a or designate a payroll deduction through the process (91成人导航 login required). Information on how to donate to United Way also is included in the open enrollment packets mailed Oct. 18 to faculty and staff home addresses.

All employees who pledge to the United Way campaign are eligible for weekly prizes through drawings. Those who give early in the drive will remain eligible for prizes each week, although donors may only win once. The drawing dates and prizes: 

November 4

• Two sets of two 91成人导航 men鈥檚 basketball season tickets
• Two sets of two 91成人导航 women鈥檚 basketball season tickets

November 11

• Two sets of two Conservatory of Music season tickets

November 18

• Two tickets for both sessions of the NCAA Men鈥檚 Water Polo Final Four 鈥� December 7-8 on campus
• One gift package ($100 estimated) from the Sacramento campus book store

November 25

• One 鈥淎鈥� annual parking pass for the Stockton campus