Campaign Volunteers Do Something About It!

Anna Babin, Tom Ryan and Anne Neeson welcomed campaign leaders and volunteers to the 2009-2010 Campaign Leaders Conference.

Nearly 400 campaign leaders and volunteers gathered to show their support for United Way and the community at United Way of Greater Houston's 2009 Campaign Leaders Conference. The half day event, held at the United Way Center on July 14, was the place to share their can-do spirit, take a stand for Houston and get inspired for the 2009-10 United Way campaign.

Anne Neeson, vice president of Donor Relations for United Way, kicked off the conference with the message that United Way is our community's social safety net, and that now, more than ever, it's up to us to keep it strong.

United Way of Greater Houston President and CEO, Anna M. Babin elaborated on the changing and growing needs in our community and how United Way is uniquely positioned to do something about it. Babin emphasized the importance of United Way continuing to move forward and standing up for kids, families, seniors and those rebuilding their lives.

Attendees received a warm welcome from Tom Ryan, president and CEO of Service Corporation International and 2009-10 United Way Community Campaign chair. Ryan delivered a powerful message about the challenges we face and our responsibility to stand up for our neighbors.

"Many people who probably never thought they'd need help with just the basics of everyday life—groceries, prescriptions, keeping a roof over their children's heads—are depending on United Way---on all of us, Ryan told guests. "We Houstonians are up for the challenge. We're resilient. We embrace that can-do spirit. We stand up for our neighbors, dream big, and work hard."

Ryan called on campaign leaders and volunteers to educate their fellow employees about the good work of United Way, to inspire them to get involved and to give so United Way can continue to touch one of every two lives in our community, and to have fun as they share the United Way story.

"When people who care come together for a common cause, there is no limit to what they can do," Ryan said. "It will take all of us working together to educate people about United Way, engage them in our work and inspire them to join us. I know we can do it."

Anne Neeson wrapped up the opening session by introducing United Way's new campaign materials and a video giving guests a look at some of the real lives they help change through their support of United Way. Neeson announced that United Way's 2009-2010 Community Campaign Kick-off will be held on September 10, 2009 at the Toyota Center.  

After the opening session, guests attended workshops highlighting campaign strategies and tips; stocked up on materials and resources at the "Vision Central" expo; shopped at the Company Store; listened in on calls to the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE call center; and took community bus tours to see United Way's work in action.

"The workshops gave me a lot of ideas about how to engage my coworkers and get them involved in our company campaign," said one particpant. "The workshops provided so many resources I didn't know about. I would definitely recommend the Campaign Leaders Conference to anyone involved in running a United Way campaign," another particpant said.

Volunteers left the 2009-10 Campaign Leaders Conference excited about United Way and ready to take our message back to the workplace. In Houston, United Way is the single most powerful source of help—we do something about it for kids, for families, for seniors, for lives.

We thank Thomas Smouse of Noble Energy, Tandy Black of WorleyParsons, Amanda Oubre of Stage Stores, Jackie Phillips of Spectra Energy and Susan Pennebaker of Pennebaker | Fifth Ring for giving workshop presentations at the 2009 Campaign Leaders Conference.

View a photo gallery of the 2009 United Way Campaign Leaders Conference

View a photo gallery of the Fifth Ward Bus Tour

View a photo gallery of the United Way Bright Beginnings Bus Tour