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My first week at United Way of Wayne & Holmes

Jesse Pertee • March 21, 2023

New Beginnings...

Beginning a new job can be a stressful situation, especially when it is in a new community. However, that first week can tell you much about the organization’s mission and culture. I have heard from many people that the best way to tell an organization’s culture is to observe its employees on Monday morning.

My first day at The United Way of Wayne and Holmes County was a great example of Monday morning culture. I walked up to the door ten minutes early and was greeted by the CEO, who pulled into the parking lot simultaneously. I was greeted by a hardy good morning, and the first thing I notice is a welcome sign posted on the door with my name on it. Then, thinking it was very thoughtful, I heard someone say, “hey, Siri! play celebration.” Not sure what I got myself into, I walked into the community area, and my coworkers were dancing, saying good morning, and welcoming me with huge smiles. What a fantastic first impression! In all my years of working, I have never been greeted and made to feel so at home as I was at that moment.

First impressions are lasting; I doubt I will ever forget that first day. We spent part of the morning chatting and getting to know one another before the real work began. I was handed a binder with a calendar of my first three weeks and every day laid out and planned. It was a huge comfort knowing that I had an agenda and knew precisely where and what I was supposed to do.

The next three days were the same. I was part of the team from the onset. I have had an opportunity to attend several lunches in the area with local civic groups and meet many of our constituents and board members. I have also had the chance to begin paving my road and looking into alternative ways to improve some processes. It is very liberating to be given the freedom to express yourself and contribute in the best way possible while having the support and guidance of experience.

Of course, every first week would not be complete without some unexpected calamity. On my third day on the job, I started to feel ill. As the day progressed, it increasingly got worse. Like most people, the last thing I wanted to do was call off sick on my first week at work. During a meeting, I was told I should go home. If we learned anything from COVID, it was not to be tough and stay sick at work.

I finished the rest of the week working from home. My constant contact with my new coworkers put my mind at ease about my condition and if I had any needs. I was taken aback by the amount of genuine concern for my well-being.

I have seen many places that like to trumpet their unique culture or talk about how great a place they are to work. In my experience, only some live up to their self-imposed standards. It is often just words on paper to check off another box. My experience at UWWH has taught me that they not only talk but also walk the walk.

I am incredibly excited to continue my journey with the organization and grow both personally and professionally. If you are looking for an organization to support that is completely aligned with its mission, focused, positive, and authentic, look into ways to help UWWH. #culture #powerofmoments

Just Love: My United Way Wayne & Holmes Journey (Year One)

By Megan Wilson • February 3, 2025
Just Love: My United Way Wayne & Holmes Journey (Year One) By: Megan Wilson It's hard to believe a year has flown by since I took the plunge and joined the United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties team. This leap into the non-profit world has been more than just a job change; it's been a deeply personal journey of discovery and immense reward. I'm constantly struck by the incredible network of individuals, organizations, and businesses right here in our community, all working tirelessly to uplift the lives of our neighbors. The sheer dedication I see every day is truly inspiring. Before joining the team, I found myself searching for a way to make a real, tangible difference. I explored different paths, but the pull towards a career focused on helping others was undeniable. I yearned for work that resonated with my core values, something that allowed me to contribute to something bigger than myself. That search led me to United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties, an organization whose mission – mobilizing community resources to help people measurably improve their lives and partnering to identify and address pressing needs for long-term, sustainable solutions – spoke directly to my heart. Stepping into this role was, admittedly, a little daunting. My previous fundraising experience peaked with the Parent-Teacher Organization at my kids' elementary school! The scope of the work, coupled with the ambitious goals, made me wonder if I could truly make a difference. But I quickly found myself embraced by an amazing work environment – positive, fun, energetic, and truly uplifting. Our CEO, Katie Koglman, has cultivated a culture of empowerment, and her belief in what we can achieve is contagious. My colleagues have shown me the true meaning of teamwork, proving that together, we're capable of anything. That feeling of empowerment is invaluable. I'm incredibly passionate about the work we do at United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties, especially when it comes to supporting literacy. Programs like Reading Under the Lights and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which we both run and fund, are close to my heart. Providing free books to kids is such a powerful way to ignite a love of reading and set them up for future success. But our commitment to the community goes far beyond just books. Every dollar we raise stays right here in Holmes and Wayne Counties, directly impacting our neighbors and strengthening our community from within. We're not just behind-the-scenes fundraisers; we're actively involved in our communities, working alongside our partners to make a real difference in the lives of those around us.  This past year has been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and connection. I've gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our community, but even more importantly, I've witnessed the incredible resilience and generosity of its people. Our work wouldn't be possible without the support of our donors and partners. I'm so grateful to be part of this organization, working alongside such passionate and dedicated individuals. People often ask what we do. We're more than just fundraisers; we're connectors, unifiers, and problem-solvers, supporting vital services that strengthen our community. I'm excited to see what the next year brings and the continued positive impact we'll make together in Wayne and Holmes Counties. I absolutely Just, Love everything about my last year!

From Setbacks to Success

By Katie Koglman • January 31, 2025
From Setbacks to Success: My Goal Setting Journey, Part 1. Author: Katie Koglman It’s 2025, and I am coming off a year that fell short of my fundraising goals. Personally, this is very disappointing – because I like to win. Professionally, it ignites a fire in me to be better next year. There were many factors that contributed to the decline in fundraising revenue; death, economic uncertainty, and some high dollar “not this year” answers from otherwise faithful corporate donors. As I reflect on my own involvement, I question my role in the defeat. Did I ask enough? Did I stay focused? Can I say, I did everything in my power? The honest answer is no. I did A LOT, but I did not do everything in my power. Early in 2024, I set goals, and I stayed focused and on track until about May …then I got lazy in tracking and measuring my goals. I will not let that happen in 2025, and I will be accountable to you. I will update you on my goal progress in June 2025 and December 2025! I use a goal framework based partly on the book The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran. Not exactly how he does it, but a hybrid for sure. I start with a list of 30 things that I want in the coming year. This list of 30 is a combination of a brain dump and visioning exercises that I do annually. I write them all down and revisit them daily. This helps me clarify – turning dreams into reality with action items. The list is a combination of personal and professional items, like: 1. I want to hit 100% of our fundraising goal. 2. I want to gross $12,000 on the Wacky, Quacky Duck Derby. 3. I want to build a great bond with my granddaughter. 4. I want to retire in 10 years. 5. I want to continue to grow relationships in Holmes County and the four corners of Wayne County. And 25 more things that I want. This helps you turn what you want into actionable SMART goals. A SMART goal is: Specific: Your goals should be clear and well-defined. Avoid vague or general statements. Instead of saying “I want to continue to grow relationships in Holmes County” say “I want to meet at least 12 new contacts in Holmes County” or “I want to attend an event weekly in Holmes County” Measurable : How will you track your progress? Set quantifiable targets that allow you to monitor your achievements. Achievable: Set challenging but realistic goals. Avoid setting yourself up for failure by aiming too high. Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Relevant: Ensure your goals align with personal or organizational mission Time-bound: Set deadlines for your goals. Now this is where I use items from the 12-week year: I look at my list of 30 and decide which 3-5 to focus on for the next 12 weeks and set up my actionable plan. I will use the Wacky, Quacky Duck Derby goal as an example and show you what my plan looks like. By increasing the amount of money we raise on the duck derby, this also grows our overall market share of donors.

2025 Grant Application Available

By Kayley Cox • October 17, 2024
As part of the annual community grant funding each year, the 2025 Grant Applications through United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH) have now been made available. UWWH offers grant funding towards needs based requests. In the last decade, UWWH has granted over $14 Million to solving local issues through partnerships with local non-profits. The grant application window will be open from October 1, 2024 with applications due no later than end of business December 13, 2024. The grant application allows UWWH to directly assist local nonprofits in Holmes and Wayne Counties, directly working towards their mission to mobilize community resources while improving the lives of people in the community. Local community members assist in the review of completed grants as part of the “Investment Team” as volunteers and UWWH donors who review each grant application. Investment Team volunteers provide funding recommendations to the UWWH Board of Directors. United Way Wayne and Holmes aims to measurably improve the lives of residents in our community, often those who are employed, but still are income constrained. Four areas of focus guide UWWH in their mission to assist these community members: Health/Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment, Safety Net/Basic Needs, Workforce Development and Youth Development. Grant applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply: Be an organization meeting one of the following criteria: A 501(c)3 nonprofit currently registered with the Secretary of State of Ohio. A governmental organization, such as public education institution, voluntary associations, or faith-based community. Run by a volunteer Board of Directors, none of whom receives any remuneration from the organization. Currently be located within, and providing services in Wayne and/or Holmes Counties. A question-and-answer session on the application process will be held at UWWH located at 215 S. Walnut St., Wooster on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11 AM and again at 4 PM. Applicants are encouraged to attend. A virtual option is available, please call the office for details. The application deadline is 5 PM on the evening of December 13, 2024. Awards will be announced in March 2025. Organizations who have questions may contact United Way via email: info@uwwh.org or by phone: (330) 264-5576. Application is available at: uwwh.org or go to GET FUNDING .
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