Gales Ferry, CT:  New United Way President and CEO Virginia Lee Mason was introduced to community, labor and business leadership at a breakfast Wednesday, June 23 at Latitude 41 in Mystic.   Bob Hamilton, Director of Communications at General Dynamics Electric Boat, Chairman of the United Way Board, spoke to a group of 45 leaders about the new executive’s experience, energy and commitment to campaign growth and increased community investment.  Mr. Hamilton also noted, “This region steps up when help is needed. This United Way is poised for growth and impact.”  Mason joined the United Way a month ago, moving from the Chicago area with her 5 school aged children.  The breakfast, sponsored by Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc., brought together the region’s leadership to hear Mason’s first speech in her new role.  She thanked those in attendance for their gifts of time, talent, energy, and resources and recognized the United Way staff who brought in a campaign through “grit and determination” in a tough year.  During her first month, she has visited CEOs and key labor leadership, attended the first night of a union counseling course and graduation, was involved in the final decision night of the United Way allocation’s process.  She has met with several community leaders and was introduced to the SCOGG.  Mason was involved immediately in the creation of next year’s budget and campaign strategy.  “This region’s United Way campaign can and will grow,” she stated. “There are many companies, employees groups, and businesses which could increase their commitments or become involved with United Way for the first time.”  Mason believes that United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is quite extraordinary in its commitment to serving the needs of the people who reside in the area.  “United Way not only distributes money to programs in the area, but also supports core services such as the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center.  Because of the Food Center, over 90 organizations can distribute food to those in need all over the southeast region.”

Three announcements to the community were featured in Mason’s remarks.  Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, and Melodie Peters, Vice President of AFT Connecticut were named as Co-Chairs of the Campaign. “These individuals bring their talent, experience, and commitment to the needs of people to the table.”  Both Butler and Peters are members of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut board of directors.  As Co-Chairs, they will be anchored by Charlie Jaskiewicz, Manager of Worldwide Regulatory Strategy for Pfizer Inc, who is the Ex-Officio Outgoing Chair of Campaign.  Together they will be moving quickly to recruit all the remaining leadership needed to conduct an extremely intense and goal-driven effort.  The organization is already gearing up to support an early Pacesetter’s campaign for the longer effort in the fall and early winter.

Mason also announced that United Way is launching a regional-wide listening campaign, “From the Outside-In”.  This campaign, which kicks off today will be led by Mason and incoming Board Chair, Nancy Bulkeley, Community Affairs Specialist of Dominion Nuclear Connecticut.  They anticipate interviewing over 125 individuals before the fall campaign kick-off; United Way partner agency executives and board officers; all United Way staff, business and labor leadership, government leadership, human service and education leadership, and recipients of services.  Invitations and interview guides will be distributed next week and will continue until mid-September. The results of the listening campaign will be reported to the region in September and will be taken seriously by United Way.

United Way is working to establish a three-tiered goal for the campaign which will help donors understand how much can be done when gifts are united.  Live United which is a tagline featured on t-shirts and posters seen all over the area.  “United Way is much more than just a shirt,” stated Virginia Mason.  The 3 tiered goals will feature 10%, 15%, and 20% increases with descriptions of what can be done at each level of result.  This year’s flat allocations represent a huge commitment from the organization to keep organizations stable.  But those allocations only represent 84% of requested funds.  In this economy, there is more human need and more need for collaboration and partnership. United Way has been around a long time; it has a proud tradition which has spread all over the world. There are only a few hundred participating organization in a region which has over 7000 registered business.  Growth will come from increased giving, more participation, more retention of donors, and more involvement by local businesses and organizations. United Way is a unique American institution – founded in 1886.  It is still at its core a community chest and in southeastern Connecticut; United Way has never lost sight of its legacy and its local investment in what matters.  “I am committed to larger vision of true community; this area is welcoming and caring.” 

Mason served 14 years as a United Way executive in Topeka, Kansas; the island of Jamaica; Jacksonville, Florida; and Nashville, Tennessee. She also served Family Support America in Chicago as the President and CEO, for 11 years. That organization worked with the state of Connecticut to build a family strengthening agenda in state and local agencies and centers.  Mason has published several articles on family strengthening and support.  She most recently served as interim Executive Director for a teen homelessness program in Chicago, Teen Living Programs.  She wants to put down “deep roots” in the region.
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is a non-profit organization that improves the lives of people who live and work in New London County and strengthens the community through local health and human service programs. Programs and partnerships that United Way support improves community wellness, help children thrive, supply basic human needs, and promote independence.
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