United Way cuts administrative costs

The McCook United Way Board faced some unique financial challenges this year with rising administrative costs affecting the outlook for the 2005-06 drive, which began Oct. 1.

Historically, the board has held the administrative costs at $10,000 or less. Those costs include membership dues in the national United Way agency, accounting costs, literature, postage, drive expenses and administrative services.

A new requirement by the national United Way board for an annual review of the financial records for the McCook United Way increased those expenses by $750. Membership dues with the national organization also increased.

In order to keep administrative costs at a minimum and still meet the necessary requirements, some budget items were reduced.

Most notably, the incentive program was cut in half. Individuals contributing $50 will still be entered into a drawing, once for each $50 contributed, for a single grand prize of $500 in United Way Dollars. United Way Dollars are accepted at a variety of area merchants.

"We try to be very aware of every dollar spent," explained board president Mark Searcey. "In order to keep the goal the same as it was in 2004-05 and to keep our agencies funded, changes had to be made. By lowering the incentive prize, we were able to allocate $77,000 to the agencies, the same amount as last year, without increasing the goal."

The McCook United Way funds 18 local organizations, and has again set a goal of $87,000 for 2005-06.

"We know that expenses have increased for our citizens," Randy Chambers noted, "and their generosity has reached out to many different needs this year, so we hesitated to ask them to dig even deeper.

"Yet our agencies have all experienced increases in operating expenses and requests for funding reflected those needs."

The appropriations committee, made up of Chambers, Searcey, Stephen Loyd and the Rev. Sam Williams, struggled with requests and met with representatives of each of the 18 agencies.

"I was unfamiliar with many of the agencies," said Williams, a new member of the board representing the Red Willow County Ministerial Association. "The interviews filled in a lot of gaps."

Careful consideration was given to each request, measuring the amount of dollars and the amount of people receiving assistance and the type of assistance provided.

"It's a balancing act each year," explained Chambers, who has served on the committee for three years in a row.

In spite of the difficulties, the committee members were satisfied that allocations met the theme for the 2005-06 drive, "McCook Matters."

The board agreed and unanimously approved the 2005-06 budget.

Agencies apply annually for United Way funding. More information on each of the agencies and on the ongoing 2005-06 drive will be released as the drive continues.

This year's drive chair is Russ DeLong, plant manager at Valmont Industries.

United Way board members are: Mark Searcey, president; Randy Chambers, vice president; Dawn Cribbs, publicity chair; Sam Williams, Penny Brown, Rebecca Vosburg, Jim Hull, Stephen Loyd and Barb Bortner.