United Way of Southeastern Connecticut celebrated its 45th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 25, 2007. Bill Rountree, outgoing United Way Board Chair and President & CEO of triVIN, Inc., served as host for the evening.

Highlighting the event was the presentation of the first annual Community Service Award, United Way’s highest honor for a volunteer. Mr. Henry Rianhard, Electric Boat retiree, was the recipient of the new award.

Mr. Rianhard has been involved with United Way of Southeastern Connecticut for nearly fifteen years. He has served on numerous committees with the organization including: Allocations Panels; Agency Admissions; Human Service Needs; Outcomes; and an Allocations Process Review in 2006. Allocations is United Way’s annual fund distribution process when trained volunteers visit all funded programs to ensure donor dollars are being wisely invested in effective and efficient health and human services.

In addition, Mr. Rianhard played a key role in developing United Way’s outcome measurement process. Bill Rountree, outgoing United Way Board Chair, stated that Mr. Rianhard has “Been a pioneer for our outcome measurement process – a results-oriented system that we and the entire community can benefit from.”

Mr. Rianhard “Is truly dedicated to ensuring United Way and its volunteers wisely invest donor dollars,” Mr. Rountree continued, “And that United Way promotes, encourages, and quantifies the health and well-being of our community.”

Incoming Board Chair Nancy Rossi of the Southeastern Mental Health Authority presented the fifth annual Courage Award to Jucenta Walker, a resident of the Thames River Family Program. Ms. Walker is a formerly homeless, single mother of two daughters. The Courage Award is presented annually to a client of a United Way partner program who has overcome challenges in their life but now is well on their way to self-sufficiency thanks to the assistance and services received.

The final item on the evening’s agenda was for 2006 Board Chair Bill Rountree to turn the gavel over to 2007 Board Chair Nancy Rossi. Ms. Rossi has previously served on United Way’s Board of Directors as Vice Chair of Services & Planning and Chair of the Allocations Cabinet. She served on Allocations panels since 1996, reviewing United Way partner programs. Ms. Rossi also served on the local Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and on the Campaign Cabinet overseeing the State Employees’ Campaign.

Ms. Rossi outlined some of her hopes for coming year including the development of a new strategic plan in 2007 that will carry United Way of Southeastern Connecticut forward and create a positive impact in the community through major initiatives such as the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

“There are many opportunities to meet basic human needs as we forge ahead…and to make an impact,” Ms. Rossi stated. “I encourage you to get involved with United Way and in the community and help make a difference in what matters.”