March 13, 2006 Hello [first_name], and thank you for your support of United Way of Greater Cleveland. United Way Tops Goal, Raising $43.8 Million for Greater Cleveland More than 1,200 people were present when Henry L. Meyer III, the 2005 United Way campaign chairman and the 2006 chairman of the board, announced that United Way exceeded its goal, raising $43.8 million to meet our community's health and human service needs. Learn more about the Annual Meeting and the 2005 campaign here. IN THIS ISSUE: New Roles for Volunteer Leaders Interview with 2006 Campaign Co-Chairs Robert King and Robert Rawson United Way's Annual Meeting Meet Genny eBay Auction Raises More Than $40,000 The Human Services Institute is March 24 Core Services Planning Presentation The Earned Income Tax Credit How United Way Cares March is National Nutrition Month®

New Roles for Volunteer Leaders at United Way United Way's Annual Meeting on March 10 was an opportunity to recognize those that have served and to introduce new leadership. Alexander M. "Sandy" Cutler was honored and thanked for his leadership as chairman of United Way's board and Henry L. Meyer III was elected to be the next board chairman and chief volunteer officer. Other appointments included 14 new board members, and the co-chairs of the 2006 United Way campaign were announced (see article below). Steven A. Minter was also thanked for his leadership as a co-founder and co-chairman of the Community Vision Council. For a complete listing of new officers, click here.

United Way Interview: Robert J. King, Jr. and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. This year United Way will have two campaign co-chairs: Robert J. King, Jr., Managing Director, Western Reserve Partners LLC, and Robert H. Rawson, Jr., Partner-in-Charge, Jones Day. Find out what motivates these leaders to make a difference in our community through United Way and what their strategy will be to meet our community's health and human service needs in the coming year.

United Way's Annual Meeting Were you there? Want to see who was? See pictures from United Way's Annual Meeting, held Friday, March 10, at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel on Public Square.

Success Story: Genny Teske Genny Teske was for many years a United Way donor. But it wasn't until Genny's macular degeneration took her vision that she learned the benefits of her United Way contribution firsthand. The Cleveland Sight Center, a United Way partner agency, showed Genny how to live a full life without sight.

United Way Auction on eBay Raises More Than $40,000 for United Way! A record 133 items went up for sale at the United Way Auction on eBay earlier this year and more than $40,000 was raised for the United Way Campaign, $10,000 more than last year. To donate an item to next year's auction contact Michelle Battle at mbattle@uws.org.

The Center for Community Solutions Human Services Institute, March 24 The 64th Annual Human Services Institute will be held Friday, March 24, at the Cleveland Convention Center. Attend this day-long professional development and continuing education conference which includes 14 sessions focused on health and human services and exhibits by 100 nonprofit organizations serving Northeastern Ohio. Learn more about this event or register now.

Core Services Planning Presentation United Way hosted a well-attended, informative community presentation about Core Services Planning February 15. Core Services Planning is a data driven process that will identify Core Services needs and resources, gaps and duplications. It includes research, data analysis and a dialogue among stakeholders. The process is designed to ensure that data available to the community will stimulate dialogue and collaboration and will result in United Way volunteer guided decision-making that may include change where necessary. Find out more about Core Services Planning or view photos from the February 15 community presentation.

The Earned Income Tax Credit and United Way We need your help: please tell people you know who may qualify about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) service. At VITA sites they can claim their EITC refund and get their taxes filed for free. Those who are working and make less than $11,750 (families up to $37,263) may be eligible. EITC lifts over five million people out of poverty each year nationwide. Locally more than $41 million in Greater Cleveland went unclaimed by eligible individuals and families who were entitled to this credit. United Way, through United Way's 211/First Call For Help has been a partner in this effort both in Greater Cleveland and nationwide. To find out who qualifies or to learn more about EITC, visit the coalition's website or call 211.

Complete series: How United Way Cares Read about how United Way is organized and how it touches lives, from programs that help children stay healthy to keeping seniors independent longer. The more you know about how United Way is organized and how it effectively and efficiently invests in Greater Cleveland, the more you will understand the critical and unique role United Way plays in our community.

March is National Nutrition Month® - Step Up to Nutrition and Health National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Step up today by making healthier lifestyle choices to improve your health and the health of your family and you'll reap the benefits for years to come. Additional Information: How to read nutrition labels (PDF document); Healthy Recipes (PDF document); Steps to a Healthier You; Dietary Guidelines; Take a nutrition quiz (PDF document).

Check Community-Wide Needs for the Greatest Impact on Our Community By designating Community-Wide Needs with your pledge, you authorize our trained volunteers to decide how your donations, and those of countless others, can target the greatest needs of our community. It might be to deliver meals to homebound seniors, train daycare providers to provide the best possible educational preparation for children or any of the nearly 180 programs provided by our community partners, or initiatives of the Community Vision Council. Here is how to pledge confidentially online.

We publish What Matters to keep you informed about events, activities and developments affecting United Way and the Greater Cleveland community. To ensure that you continue to receive What Matters, please add us to your address book or trusted sender list or ask your IT administrator to whitelist us. We invite you to visit our Web site, after you've read this newsletter. You can view a PDF version of our most current print newsletter Doing What Matters or view the Community Vision Council print newsletter, Impact. United Way of Greater Cleveland 1331 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 T: (216) 436-2100; F: (216) 436-2257 www.uws.org Email: marketing@uws.org