When looking for ideas to bring employees together doing something fun and motivating--look no further than conducting a United Way campaign. Here are some examples of the best from 2010 to inspire you!
State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company
Lights! Camera! Hope! Reach for the Stars! was SVMIC’s 2010 campaign theme. It was centered around a Hollywood theme with events and props referencing movies, television and entertainers. A premiere event was held with campaign committee members dressed as old time movie theatre ushers in red vests and hats. A movie montage of classic Hollywood scenes greeted the crowd. When the lights came back up, the crowd had a visit from two Oscars—Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street and “Oscar” the statuette, which was actually CEO Steve Williams dressed in a gold lame bodysuit.
Special events included: an Oscar Party complete with Red Carpet, Breakfast at Tiffany’s—a bake sale with an Audrey Hepburn lookalike, Shops on Rodeo Drive— rummage sale and online auction and “You’re A Star” which allowed employees to purchase star themed items to give a s gifts to other employees. By the end of the week, the offices were awash with star-shaped balloons floating from employee cubicles.
Journal Communications Inc.
Journal kicked off their campaign by offering all employees a morning of agency tours with pizza for lunch. The staff was divided into three groups and each group learned how their agency enriched the lives of people in our community.
New this year was the “Journal Jam for United Way” which was held in the Highwoods Courtyard (outdoor commons area of their building) with a band, singers, climbing wall, food, bake sale, and because of the heat…snowcones! At their annual Chili Cookoff and Raffle, participants could win trips to Asheville, Symphony tickets or dinner at the hard Rock Café. A silent auction included new, gently used and handcrafted items as well as services. Employees could earn an extra day off for pledging $3 per period.
Talk about creative! Journal’s graphic design department created posters to promote all activities with illustrations of our favorite presidents, hands helping the world and a depiction of the “Journal Jam.”
Unum Insurance
Unum had 100% participation in giving and felt that due to their creativity everyone got involved. As they look back on 2010’s United Way campaign, you can sum it up with one word and that is FUN! Unum had a day where you dressed up like your favorite Gangsta Rapper! People actually paid to participate and are still laughing at it to this day. Can you say…GREAT TEAM BUILDING?!
Unum also stepped out of the box and tried several new things—a corn-hole tournament, Dress Tacky Day, You tube Video contest, and Minute to Win It games! Unum would say 2010 was the most fun & creative United Way Campaign to date.