Glossary

211 Nova Scotia
211 is an Information and Referral Service operating in many areas across Canada and the US. Coming soon to Nova Scotia, this number connects people to community, health, government and social services available in our province. United Way of Halifax Region has secured private sector support for start up and is anxious to see 211 up and running in Nova Scotia.
Action for Neighbourhood Change
Since 2005, United Way's community mandate has included a focus on strengthening neighbourhoods as a starting place for resident engagement. Action for Neighbourhood Change began in Spryfield and has now moved to Dartmouth North. The guiding principle is "when neighbours know neighbours, neighbourhoods are healthier, safer and more active places to live." Action engages residents, supports their projects with small grants and stays connected to inspire neighbours to be part of their community.
Action Grants
Action for Neighbourhood Change has been fortunate to receive contributions from donors interested in supporting Action Grants to give residents the opportunity to change or improve their neighbourhood. Grants have supported a youth radio station in Spryfield, installation of a welcome sign to Dartmouth North, community gardens in both areas, and movie nights in the summer. The dollar amounts are small but the pay off is huge when people connect with each other and become more involved with their community.
Loaned Rep
The Loaned Rep Program is a key component of United Way's fundraising effort. Loaned Reps are loaned to United Way by their employers from September to December. Loaned Reps bring personal skills and abilities and receive training and professional development so they can assist United Way Campaign staff with more than 1000 campaigns in workplaces all across the community. Once they have completed their term at United Way, they return to their employer with enthusiasm and excitement ready to take on new challenges.
Each year a group of community leaders (CMT) is recruited to lead the annual workplace campaign. Campaign Chairs (or Co-Chairs) search for division chairs within the public and private sector. CMT members meet regularly to set the goal for the campaign and develop strategies to achieve their target. Their volunteer commitment begins in March and continues through the following February when the final campaign achievement is announced at a Celebration Breakfast.
Community Fund
United Way's Community Fun is the source of stable funding for neighborhood engagement, funded agencies and initiatives to give individuals access to the services they need. United Way's investment in community is second only to government within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Agency funding decisions are made by the board of directors following a thorough review of applications by volunteers' panels. Donations to the Community Fund help create opportunities for people across the community.
Community Resources Committee
Volunteers recruited to participate on the Community Resources Committee (CRC) monitor trends in the social service sector. They also recommend policies and practices to ensure the board is aware of risks and change in social development. Some of the current trends include Nova Scotia's aging population and the need for programs for seniors, the rates of poverty in neighbourhoods and the lack of affordable housing across the community.
Day of Caring
United Way matches volunteers in workplaces to projects at agencies across the community, giving volunteers an opportunity to contribute in a hands on way to make a difference. Employers give their employees the day to work in the community as an expression of their commitment to their employees and to the organizations that support people all across HRM. Projects may include interior or exterior painting, yard work, preparing community gardens, building ramps, installing shelving or providing computer training.
Day of Caring Sponsors
Gallons of paint, brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths and garden supplies have all been donated for the past four years by Kent. Shirt supplier is Fundy Textiles and coffee and muffins are provided by Tim Horton's.
Funded Agencies
Each year, United Way volunteers review funding applications from agencies across the community seeking funding for programs. Once funding is approved for a period of one to three years, the agency is required to report on their outcomes so United Way can report the results to donors looking for examples of impact for their donation. United Way of Halifax Region no longer describes funded agencies as members. This term was discontinued early in 2000 to allow all not for profits that fit with the funding criteria, to apply for support.
Funding Panel
The volunteer group reviewing the funding applications are called Funding Panels. These dedicated volunteers begin their work with orientation in September and meet weekly through February of the following year. In the course of their work, they review applications that meet criteria, visit agency staff and volunteers to review the material and ultimately recommend funding based on available money raised during the years annual campaign.
Governance Committee
The Board committee that monitors governance and recommends new members for the board is the Governance Committee. It is chaired by the immediate Past Board Chair and is made up of the Current Board Chair, the CEO and members at large.
Inspirational Speakers
Donors are always interested in hearing about the impact of their donations. In 2009, United Way of Halifax Region recruited 20 people from agencies across the community to speak in workplaces and tell their personal story. This resulted in an overwhelming increase for speakers, from 100 in 2008 to 200 in 2009. Each speaker truly inspired their audiences.
Management Grants
United Way is interested in providing support and professional development opportunities to executive directors of funded agencies. Grants are available to cover half of the fee for training when applications are received.
Neighbourhood Engagement Strategy
Working in neighbourhoods is a path to resident engagement. It is also a place to start to tackle issues such as poverty and crime. United Way's Neighbourhood Engagement Strategy was developed to help guide this work to ensure impact and relevance in the future.
Strategic Plan
In 2008, United Way embarked on a new five year plan to guide the board and staff. Four strategic directions were articulated: foster relationships that matter; demonstrate impact; accelerate revenue growth to the Community fund and elevate our organizational performance. Staff will report regularly to the board to demonstrate the achievement of these goals.
Signature Sponsor
United Way's Signature Sponsor is CTV. This partnership gives United Way locally and throughout the Maritimes, the opportunity to profile our achievements and accomplishments through a variety of program options.
The Tomorrow Fund
Planning for the future is a critical aspect of United Way's financial stability. The Tomorrow Fund is an endowment fund was created to give donors the opportunity to donate to United Way either during their lifetime, or through their will, as a lasting legacy to our community.
Youth Engagement Strategy
Young people can make a significant impact when supported in their efforts. The Youth Engagement Strategy is developed to give youth a voice and a role in the organization.
Youth Grants
Grants were made available in the summer and fall of 2009 to give young people tangible, financial support to complete projects they identified. Examples included improving the space at the back of Laing House to make it more inviting for youth to hang out; paint a mural on a school wall; help seniors with computer problems; youth and elder retreat; cruise night to build relationships with deaf youth; Mobile Art Wall to record events and load results to YouTube; community herb garden and youth dances. A number of young people formed a group to develop criteria for distributing grants and then participated in the story telling night following completion of the projects. Success means this will be repeated!