Letters to the editor

Still a United Way?

Readers respond to three-part series on fund-raising agency

Ed Parker, United Way president

As a former United Way board member and beneficiary agency president, I am disturbed to read the accounts in the Star series, as it appears to question the integrity of United Way President Ed Parker, who, in my view, is one of Arizona's finest not-for-profit executives. The world of philanthropy is changing rapidly, and the complaints aired by many of those interviewed are understandable since their agencies have oftentimes received diminished funding from United Way. The future of United Way depends on how to deal with designated giving and the imperatives placed on giving by donors in the 21st century. It is time for our community to look at itself for improvements and not necessarily look to point fingers of blame at others.

Bruce Ash

Former president, Handmaker Jewish Services For The Aging

Your United Way articles are award-winning, first-rate journalism, a real benefit to the community. You raise issues the United Way board of directors must deal with to maintain confidence in the entity. However, with the quality of people associated with this fine organization, any present troubles will be corrected and will be a small blip in its remarkable history.

Keith McLeod

Thanks for the exposé on United Way. It is distressing to know that over 20 percent of the monies are not remaining in Tucson. They definitely need to return to the 1982 policy of allowing designated charities in Tucson.

June L. Lucas

I recently moved to Tucson and used to give to United Way in another location. Not anymore. Similar practices (overly large administrative costs, out of state/country giving) of other United Way agencies occur. Tucson is not alone. The solution? I give directly to agencies I know do the job ethically.

Dominique Coulet du Gard

Pigs? And we can't get funding to help children learn how to read? Sheesh. . . .

Linda Moran

Donors should have a choice; however, United Way's policy should be amended to reflect current practices. I would be very angry if my donations (for which organizations are always specified) went to non-designated charities.

Carol Bailey

The B'nai B'rith Covenant House applied to be considered as an agency of the United Way but was rejected. United Way claimed we did not serve the population because of ethnicity. When United Way found out that we operate under the Equal Housing Opportunity Act and serve all races, etc., we were informed in 1999 that we could apply in 2002! Why don't you publish how the criteria for funding is checked out? The article is incomplete unless all bases are covered.

Gerd M. Strauss

President and CEO

B'nai B'rith Covenant House of

Tucson

When I discovered that gays and lesbians got the Boy Scouts of America off the United Way campaign list in San Francisco, I refused to give to United Way for two years. Then I decided to give again, but I picked where I wanted my money to go.

Lorna Davis

I think the Star should be ashamed of trying to make a nonprofit agency that helps more people locally and worldwide look like a greedy, unforgiving dog. Yes, money has gone outside of Tucson: So what? It's helping other people in other locations that are in need. After all, this is America, where even our tax dollars help other people somewhere other than our homelands.

Dirk Gibbons

Many people donate to United Way because they think they are helping people like my wife and me. We are both disabled; I am a partial quad and my wife has mental illness. Our only income is Social Security disability; however, we do not qualify for government programs like Medicaid and food stamps. I sent a letter asking for help from United Way. I received a return phone call and that was it. No help whatsoever. What kind of charity are they?

Kirk Sketchley

Your reporting of United Way's channeling of funds to out-of-town agencies is irresponsible since the Combined Federal Campaign, which is the charitable giving program designed by Congress in the early 1960s, has to choose a local agency to administer its annual campaign. Since United Way is the only agency in the area whose sole mission is to raise money to give to other agencies, the Combined Federal Campaign has been a part of United Way for many years. What a great service the United Way provides to federal employees who give from the heart to these agencies.

Why don't you go after real news instead of finding fault with good things?

David Przestrzelski

I would never give my money to United Way. Why would anyone give to a middle man instead of giving directly to the member agency? United Way is just there to suck 20 percent or more of the money away from the real charity and use it to pay themselves. Your report is just one more reason not to waste the money.

Lucinda Adams

I no longer give through United Way. Last campaign, when a representative talked at our agency, two issues left me unsatisfied: United Way was dragging its feet on the issue of continuing support to the Boy Scouts and defining its policy toward member agencies that are discriminatory; second, the percentage that was taken from donations (designated and undesignated) could not be nailed down. So, why not directly support the agencies I feel are effective?

Wendy Ascher

For many years, my husband and I have given directly only to organizations that give us clear information on how the funds are allocated. As a civil servant (now retired), he was under pressure yearly at work to contribute to United Way, but we chose to make our own decisions and contribute directly to many of the organizations that were part of United Way.

Kay Deely

We have been doing Ride Express for United Way since the end of May. They are discontinuing this program at the end of July and leaving over 200 people who cannot get from doctors to hospitals on their own. Right now, each person pays $5 each way and United Way reimburses them. But United Way will no longer continue to fund Ride Express. We have been looking for anyone who would pick up and let us continue this project.

Mary Swaidner

After "three months of investigation," is that all the Star can do? It reads like your slanderous, fame-happy efforts have backfired, and based on your article, it seems that the United Way of Tucson is a pretty good outfit. While in an obvious attempt to spread dirt, your reporter has brought forth, rather, an entity (United Way of Tucson) that presents with apparently genuine and good intentions. Thanks; now I know of at least one good charity in Tucson.

Dale Demonbreun

I know and admire United Way President Ed Parker. He has a great commitment to this community and he is not unlike many conscientious executive directors who feel compelled to make their agency look good, especially in bad times. It is often a challenge of the staff to produce an annual report brief enough to share with the membership and supporters of the particular nonprofit that presents the highlights of the year and spells out the financial situation in simple terms. Unless the audit is completed with enough lead time prior to the annual meeting, the organization can be left with words like anticipated earnings and projected obligations. The bottom line is that many board members fail to hold their CEO and staff accountable or require that copies of forms and reports be presented in advance for review. In addition, all too many board members arrive at meetings ill prepared, never having read what has been provided! These community volunteers (in far too many cases, though certainly not all) relish having their name associated with the agency, organization or museum. Yet when it comes to overseeing the major decisions and expenditures, they often yield to the words and wishes of the executive director, without reading the fine print and understanding the implications their decisions will have. They also often fail to remember that the director was hired (and can be fired) by this board and is expected to present an honest picture of the soundness of the agency.

Emily (Kittle) Morrison

National leadership development trainer

Longtime community volunteer

Former deputy director for two non-profits (over the last 11 years)

I'm appalled at what I have read. I have worked in the nonprofit sector all of my working life and we do not contribute to United Way. My wife works for the Tucson Unified School District and a number of years ago she opted for a local charity where 100 percent goes to the service and not administration, nothing off the top. I wonder if United Way President Ed Parker has been there too long. He's a very powerful man. Maybe a new executive director is in order.

Marshal Maggard

Do I like to contribute to United Way? No. I am retired and I have a small retirement income. I prefer to give my money where I know it is being used directly in the community. In reading the list of recipients, I was quite shocked that they were out of state.

Anna Harris

I served in 1977 and 1978 as a lieutenant colonel in active duty at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. I was committed to serve as a loaned executive to the United Way. I'm not surprised by the article's conclusion about United Way or its president, Ed Parker. However, Parker was better than the man he replaced.

Hank Macklen

The United Way has engaged in misleading tactics that have deceived its donors and the public and tarnished its reputation. Without massive revamping of the organization overseen by an impartial citizen advisory committee, the United Way will lose completely the trust of the citizens of Tucson.

Paula Aboud

City Council candidate for Ward 3, Democrat

Appalling that with the real need for assistance locally, United Way would give well over $200,000 to 19 organizations in Orange County alone, probably one of the most affluent counties in California, if not the nation!

Robert Lee

I like donor choice. I do not like United Way money going to causes outside of Tucson. I wonder what made them think they could do that. I have given to United Way through payroll deductions in the past.

Judith Holt

I'm very proud of the Star finding this out. This is the last time they will get a dime from me. It's very sad what they are doing.

Ernest Vega

I retired to Tucson in 1986 from Harrisburg, Pa. I was a supporter of the United Way in that area for over 50 years. I was on the board of three agencies. This local United Way needs a complete reorganization and one big public relations campaign in order to regain their good name with the local residents. They have to be truthful with the public.

George M. Shopp

I do contribute to numerous charities through a philanthropic fund my wife and I created at United Way. This vehicle has resulted in our substantially increasing our giving to agencies within and outside of UW. More people should consider doing so.

Michael J. Harris

It is time for Ed Parker to go; if he stays, contributions would suffer. All the money should stay in Tucson. The board should have known what was going on.

William C. Sitler

United Way President Ed Parker should be placed on administrative leave with pay. An independent auditor at the direction of the national organization should come in and report to the board. Parker should be put on a one-year contract to improve and attend training programs for nonprofit execs. Based upon review by served agencies and board, he should be fired and/or retained on a year-to-year basis.

Tom Jones

Financial adviser

Ed Parker has been head of United Way 25 years and just now learns from a reporter one of the basic rules? Is he planning to retire before understanding his job?

Rosamond Hathaway

What possible justification is there for local United Way funds to go to out-of-state communities and to non-health and human service organizations. This policy is entirely unacceptable.

Donor choice is a bad policy. The original purpose of the United Way was to study community health and human service needs and to allot funds sensibly and equitably to agencies to meet those needs.

Whether Ed Parker is a nice guy and dedicated to the community is irrelevant. The problems are donor choice, poor judgment and dishonest accounting. Thanks to the Arizona Daily Star for its reporting. As longtime faithful contributors to the United Way, we are shocked and dismayed by these disclosures.

Bob Gohrke

Retired social worker

July 25, 2001

Readers sound off

We asked readers for responses to our three-day United Way series, which concluded yesterday. Many responded to our questions and others wrote in on their own.

Specifically, we asked what readers think of Tucson's United Way and if they donate to it or other charities.

We asked what they think about donor choice and about United Way money going to causes outside of Tucson.

We also asked what changes they would suggest for the United Way.

The responses are as follows:

• • •

My, oh, my. Don't we just love to see the feathers fly? But are we plucking the right chicken?

I thought United Way was created to be a central fund-raising and allocating agency for the community, so we could avoid all those individual solicitations.

It was the agency's job to educate us about the needs and inspire us to contribute.

I also thought United Way had a governing board of volunteers from the community, as well as volunteer committees to assess and allocate the contributed funds.

Are they only names on a list, or do they function to guide United Way staff as representatives of the community?

In a perfect world, nonprofit human service providers shouldn't have to use their resources for fund raising.

So, if United Way isn't functioning in a way that elicits our contributions, let's look deeper for some chickens to pluck. Got a mirror handy?

Fran Marian

If we must have separation of church and state, should we not also have separation of charity and state?

The principle is the same. It is tyranny to use my tax dollars to support either a church or a charity of which I do not approve.

Just as the government should not support a particular religion, so too, the city or county should not be giving my money to a particular charity - no matter how "worthy" - or to United Way for activities such as Orange County Rescue Mission or United Whitemen's College Fund.

Ed Kahn

Having spent several years in the nonprofit sector with agencies funded by the United Way, I would like to ask the following:

What are the salaries, bonuses and benefits packages for the top 10 to 15 United Way executives?

The hardworking people of Tucson who make contributions would also be interested in these figures.

Susan Enholm

I quit contributing to the United Way with the national scandal a number of years ago, one of my better decisions.

I found I am capable of contributing to the charity of my choice without giving United Way part of my contribution.

D.L. (Don) Maggert

Rightly or wrongly, it appears United Way's executive director has lost respect and credibility with many of the agencies and the public and must be replaced.

The pledge card should be changed. Eliminate all the possible choices to give to and list the United Way of Tucson and one blank (other agency) with a minimum 50 percent going to the United Way of Tucson.

Richard Furer

Former United Way campaign chairman in Western Michigan

Perhaps I missed it, but are there no outside funds coming into Tucson's United Way? It would seem donor's funds leaving Tucson should be offset by out-of-area donor funds coming in. Or is this simply a one-way street that needs to be opened to two-way traffic?

J. R. Dick Fitch

Sierra Vista

At the beginning of the campaign, there should be a published list of recipients and projected expenses, including salaries.

Listed should be the recipients who have been approved (by proving need and accountability) to receive a predetermined percentage of raised funds after expenses. The donors give to the fund as published, with no exceptions.

Joyce Rembold

Donor choice is a complex, sometimes frustrating, process for United Way to administer. I know: I wrote the software used by the United Way for many years.

Under President Ed Parker, the United Way of Greater Tucson was an early leader in implementing donor designations.

Parker has done a masterful job of trying to satisfy the many requirements imposed on his organization by donors, volunteers, and national giving trends.

He has maintained the organization's integrity, even in the wake of national scandal.

Perhaps it is time to rethink the scope of donor choice programs here and limit it to local health and human services organizations, the core constituents of United Way. But alas, we are the Burger King generation.

Jim Hewitt

Former President, Top Giver Software, Hewitt Consulting Enterprises, LLC

The same people who flock to the outlet stores often are the same people who donate to various fund raisers.

Why don't they apply the same thinking and donate directly to their causes and eliminate the money-taking middleman? Beware big general fund raisers like the United Way, American Cancer Society, etc.

Irene Fisher

When United Way changed its policy to individual personal choice for community giving, it opened Pandora's box.

The result has been a feudal competitive mentality that has broken down the original mission of United Way, which is to teach people to give for the common good (and not just for their parochial preferences).

You can beat up on United Way President Ed Parker if you want, but this is about policy making, and the United Way board needs to find a way to return to its original mission: to build a sense of community in cities like Tucson.

Paul W. Buckwalter

Our thanks to the Star and reporter Carol Ann Alaimo for her articles on the United Way. It won't get another nickel of our money.

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Thornton

Highly paid officials that haven't a clue as to what's going on during their watch! Sound familiar?

I propose United Way restrict its distributions to worthy local organizations (charities). If citizens wish to donate to a boys club in Italy, organizations in Orange County, etc., let them send a direct donation.

The same goes for any other organization. Cut out the middle man who deducts expenses, operating costs and high salaries before the remainder ends up in the hands of the charities. I applaud the Star for this revealing exposé.

Richard Drescher

Just as any charitable organization, United Way should be held accountable and be aboveboard. But I think every single charitable organization in the United States could come under some scrutiny.

I have a feeling that United Way is being scrutinized very closely by people who don't like the idea that United Way gives to the Boy Scouts of America, and gay rights has a lot to do with this.

In the future, United Way should stand strong on this issue. We should not be scrutinizing United Way above any other charitable organization.

LaNorma Raaum

Housewife, age 58

I was very interested in your United Way articles and think you are doing a wonderful job. Of the United Way organizations you presented, Phoenix's Valley of the Sun United Way sounds the best.

I think there should be restrictions and always thought there were. I never realized so much of the money went out of state. I think it's a good cause, but it really needs some restructuring.

Elta Derrick

Retired teacher, age 88

My question concerns the listing of the agencies. I have been donating my United Way money to the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Southern Arizona. It is an agency, but it is not listed. I would like to know how they determine which ones they number and list.

Marie Verbout

Changes have to be made in the way United Way distributes its money. My interest is in Pinal County and how money is distributed to different organizations and nonprofits.

Most of the nonprofits that are being funded right now by United Way are in the Casa Grande/Eloy areas.

I know Bill Ludeke, executive director of the United Way of Pinal County, has a big salary, and I believe part of his salary should go to the agencies.

Clara Torrez

Share your thoughts about the controversy within the United Way.

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