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Home / News / SCRs do local good through another virtual fundraising season
November 30, 2021
Every year, 11 new faces join United Way of the Alberta Capital Region’s team as Sponsored Campaign Representatives, supporting nearly 300 workplace fundraising campaigns in our community.
During our annual fall campaign, corporate partners either sponsor an employee’s time at United Way for 16-weeks or provide financial support for SCRs to be hired. Through this unique experience, SCRs receive professional, personal, and community development opportunities.
SCRs come from a variety of backgrounds, work experience, and talents, but they all share the desire to help those living in poverty.
SCR program encourages life-long learning Now retired from the Government of Alberta, Brian Sawyer has been an SCR with United Way three times. Every year he learns something new and develops new skills, and this year is no exception.
“This year has been challenging because we are remote. I miss the camaraderie of working physically together. The supportive atmosphere remains, though, and we have no choice but to make the best of it,” he describes.
Another element of the SCR term is the Mentoring for Success program. Sponsored by PCL, this program provides SCRs with one-on-one mentorship with leaders in our community.
Mentors provide professional coaching, goal setting, and other skill-building supports. Employees return to their workplaces with a greater understanding of social issues, new skills and perspectives, an expanded professional network, and greater leadership potential.
Marlene Lutas is currently seconded from her job at AGLC as a Program Specialist in the Social Responsibility branch. In her role, she helps build and inform the government’s gambling harm reduction program.
“What excites me the most about being an SCR is the opportunity to not only learn more about and support United Way’s mission of creating a pathway out of poverty but, also, to gain new skills and experiences. I would recommend this to anyone wishing to support a worthy cause while broadening their skill sets and gaining new experience.”
SCRs Helgi Thorvaldson and Marlene Lutas volunteer at the Engineering Day of Caring at e4c.
Doing local good is rewarding work Former SCRs hired through program sponsoring dollars have been hired permanently at United Way after campaign season has ended, inspired by doing work that aligns with their values and that has a measurable impact on our local community. Daryl Hooke joined United Way as an SCR in 2019 after a career in marketing and advertising, and then returned in 2020 as Portfolio Lead, Workplace Fundraising.
“Serving in the role of SCR is an experience that provides opportunities to develop every important aspect of your professional development. In a very short time, you go from student to leader, and learn what it feels like to truly make a difference,” Daryl said.
“I get to work with incredible, caring people in the Alberta Capital Region who step up to lead fundraising efforts for United Way. It is incredibly gratifying to share stories about our work, and help people understand how they can help their most vulnerable neighbours.”
Sponsored Campaign Representatives are critical to our campaign success each year, and the impact United Way’s work has in the community. To learn more about this opportunity, contact [email protected].
