United In Purpose 2023

United in Purpose 2023 

May 17 - 19 

Houston, TX 

I wasn’t going to attend this conference.  After all, I had just returned from Great Rivers Conference in Rochester, MN and, United in Purpose was scheduled to take place during Wooster’s Reading Under the Lights event, that I, along with our super committee, worked all year to help put together. 

United in Purpose 2023, was a conference for United Way organizations from all over the world – an opportunity to come together, rally around the brand and learn best practices from one another.  There would be 1,100 people were in attendance at this conference.   

Like I said, I wasn’t going to attend.  However, someone nominated me to be a presenter – and present on Reading Under the Lights, as a best practice for other United Way organizations to implement in their community.  I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to brag about our community and share the successes of Reading Under the Lights. 

While at this conference, I also enjoyed many opportunities for self-growth, learning other best practices and networking with leaders like me across the country.  On day one, I received a notification through the conference app, “Cathryn Gore, would like to connect”.  So, I responded “Hello!”.  After a few back-and-forth communications, we decided to meet for lunch that day, and were inseparable for the rest of the conference.  Cathy is the CEO of United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County in Virginia – she is also a triathlete!  We were able to network and really learn and lean on one another for the next few days.  She is making incredible strides in her community – I wanted to learn more from her!   

I also got to experience two minutes of fame, as I was honored to share the stage with Catt Sadler, a tv personality, author and podcaster.   A few presenters were chosen to highlight their best practice.  Of course, I was energized by this opportunity, but more importantly – I was able to showcase a successful program here in our community that not only reduces the summer reading slide in children, but also gives our corporate partners a chance to engage directly with their future workforce.   

There were about 120 people in my session and since the conference Kayley (my colleague) and I have been doing many one-on-one zoom meetings with United Way organizations all over the country.  In fact, United Way of Lea County in New Mexico just wrapped up their first Reading Under the Lights event!  In attendance, was another United Way leader – whom I had only met virtually,  Michael Apfelberg from United Way of Greater Nashua in New Hampshire.  As soon as we saw each other, we gave big hugs!  Michael and I have shared many ideas back and forth throughout the last couple of years.  It was so great to meet in person.  He even invited me to go Facebook Live with him after my presentation.   

One of the most meaningful concepts at the conference is that multiple organizations with their respected leaders are in one location (as we are all our own organization, not umbrellas, not charters – but separate charitable organizations) sharing our best practices and knowledge with one another to make our communities the best that we can.  Every United Way organization is a little different, filling the needs in their community, but we all share the same logo.  We all want to close gaps and open opportunities for every person in our communities. 

Other topics covered at the conference included, but not limited to: Corporate Partnerships beyond the Workplace Campaign, Culture Transformation, Ensuring Strong Board and CEO Partnerships, 2-1-1 National Strategic Vision, and many sessions on fundraising, volunteerism, and leadership. 

Thank you to whomever nominated me to present!  If you are interested in learning more about the United in Purpose Conference or Reading Under the Lights. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or directly via email katie@uwwh.org