United Way seeks 40 anniversary leaders
By Bruce Weir
This year, the University of Calgary’s United Way campaign is trying to give new meaning to the term “leadership.”
In the context of the fundraising drive, a leadership donation
is one of $1,000 or more; the new meaning comes in the form
of three people who have taken the initiative to recruit more
givers at this level.
Campaign chair Dr. Kathleen Scherf, dean
of the Faculty of Communication and Culture, has been joined
by Dr. Jay Cross, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, and Dr. Claudia Emes, a professor in
the Faculty of Kinesiology and the university’s advisor on women’s issues.
The three are leading a drive to sign up 40 new leadership donors as a means of commemorating the university’s 40th anniversary.
“It had a really nice ring to it and was a viable project,” says Emes, who hit upon the idea. “We’re approaching people who are perceived to be leaders on campus and asking them to step up to the plate.”
For Cross, the goals of celebrating the university’s 40th anniversary and supporting the United Way are complementary.
“The university is a place of research and teaching dedicated to improving society,” he says. “Really, that’s what the United Way is all about.”
And, as Cross notes, the needs of some have been exacerbated by the city’s current boom.
“As prosperous as Alberta is now, there are some people who are not benefiting,” he says. “And this is in a province where the cost of housing and the general rate of inflation are higher than in other parts of the country.”
It all means that leadership is needed more than ever.
The U of C’s United Way campaign has passed the half-way mark
of its $200,000 goal. To learn about contests, prizes, the
early bird draw, online auction and more, go to www.ucalgary.ca/unitedway/index.html
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