Spring is the season that the United Way of Noble County volunteers help to ensure that contributions are wisely invested in the community. The volunteers take this responsibility with pride and concern for their communities.

If a new volunteer joins the community investment panels (during the annual Allocations or Resource Deployment process) they will have new insights about the agency they visit. Volunteers may be asked to sign a disclosure form because the information that is shared is confidential. The community partner agencies and programs share information with the volunteers so they can make decisions for United Way financial support.

The panels vary in size and number of agencies or programs visited.  Annually the United Way of Noble County has 40 plus volunteers help with the annual review process.  The common thread among the panels is that they evaluate need, effectiveness, efficiency, management and financial information.

The review panel’s primary responsibility is to ensure the efficient use of dollars contributed through the campaign for the enrichment and continuation of priority health and human service programs.  In fulfilling this responsibility, panel members work cooperatively with assigned agencies and their volunteers to ensure public accountability of the dollars allocated.

The volunteers are of diverse backgrounds including industry, commerce, professional, government and community.  This group many times includes board members, finance volunteers and volunteers who care about accountability of the community investment.

When applicable, the United Way visit the agencies. This allows the volunteers to see first hand the site, employees, volunteers and clients of the agencies and programs.

Annual training is offered to the allocation volunteers which includes knowledge of the criteria and guidelines of the review process. Panel members maintain objectivity when reviewing an agency’s request for financial support.

Each member of the panel has volunteered his or her time to the community to provide a fair distribution of United Way campaign contributions to maximize the impact of the dollars spent.  

The review panel is not a board of directors with administrative control over an agency or any program it reviews. That responsibility should be directed to the agency; however review panels may make suggestions regarding governance issues if those issues are not in compliance with the local United Way standards. 

Donors can be confident their gifts are a true investment in our community and in the lives of Noble County residents because of the four-hour time commitment made by our 40 plus member Community Investment Panel.

Following agency and program reviews, the lead volunteers meet to discuss the findings and funding recommendations. They make funding recommendations to the board of directors, who then make the final decision.