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Merger Allows More Energy On Local Partn

Merger Allows More Energy On Local Partnerships

Apr 3, 2019 | 11:50 AM

Local United Ways have joined forces, and now have a new name.

United Way Southern Interior BC will cover the Okanagan, Shuswap, Columbia and Similkameen regions.

Organizers says the merger will serve several purposes, including creating a strong, efficient regional United Way, focused on local impact and investment.

“By combining and centralizing administrative functions and processes – including HR, IT, Finance, website, for example – the new organization will avoid duplication and be freed up to focus more energy on local partnerships supporting the communities’ most vulnerable says Sinead Scanlon, Board Chair for United Way Southern Interior BC. “It also creates opportunities to respond to local community issues that are common across the region such as homelessness, mental health and poverty – issues that do not stop or start at lines on a map. Most importantly however, funds raised locally will continue to be invested back into those local communities.”

The merger was, in part, initiated by the planned retirement of Linda Yule, Executive Director for the United Way in the North Okanagan, who has been with the organization for 25 years.

“Linda has been an exemplary leader in our community,” says Debbie Bagnall, President of United Way NOCS. “For 25 years, she has built powerful relationships with local employers, donors and community partners and stewarded investments supporting the most vulnerable in our community. On behalf of the entire community, we thank Linda for her years of service.”

United Way SIBC will continue to have a strong local presence in the North Okanagan, Columbia, Shuswap. Tracy Williamson has been appointed as Community Engagement Manager, based in Vernon, and will work closely with the United Way SIBC Team in Kelowna, led by Helen Jackman, Executive Director.

Williamson will work from an office donated by Interior Savings Credit Union at #200 – 4301, 32nd Street, Vernon.

A local committee will be appointed to support fundraising and local impact investments, reporting to the Board of United Way SIBC.

Thirty-two United Ways in Canada have combined their scale and capacity to create 12 integrated regional organizations in recent years.