Governance

• United Way of Inner Wisconsin is an autonomous local non-profit organization run by an elected unpaid board of directors and a paid staff to maximize charitable giving and nonprofit resources for the people of south Wood and Adams Counties.
• It is a common misconception that United Ways across the country are local chapters of United Way of America. In fact, United Way of Inner Wisconsin is one of 1,400 autonomous United Ways nationwide.
• United Way of Inner Wisconsin's Board of Directors is an all-volunteer board consisting of not more than 25 members of the corporation. Eighteen directors are elected for three year terms and seven directosr are appointed for terms not to exceed two years. The officers, chairs of the operating divisons and labor chair constitute the Executive Committee of the Board. They have the important task of managing the United Way to ensure that it operates in a manner that meets the expectations of our donors. Board members; act as trustees of the United Way on behalf of its contributors; determine goals and objectives; establish policies and allocations for funded agencies; approve the annual operating budget; authorize programs and allocations for funded agencies; evaluate the results of organizational operation; and actively participate in one of United Way's Operating Divisons in addition to Board responsibilities.
• United Way of Inner Wisconsin's Finance Committee is made up of local financial experts who volunteer their services. They review all financial policies and by-laws, monitor and audit the operating budget on a regular basis, review investment strategies, develop an annual budget that is forwarded to the board with recommendations, develop pledge collection policies, procedures and write-offs of each year's campaigns, review the budget of agencies applying for funding prior to fund distribution and review and recommend appropriate reserve funds.
• We strive to be as transparent as feasible with our donors, our volunteers, the press and the general public. Our integrity is set and sustained at the highest level. We are confident that extensive safeguards currently exist to ensure the safety of the generous contributions made by the people of south Wood and Adams Counties to United Way of Inner Wisconsin. We know that trust can never be assumed - it is earned every single day. At United Way of Inner Wisconsin, we are doing all that we can be done, every single day, to earn and keep that trust extended to us by our donors.

 

Our Code of Ethics:

• United Way of Inner Wisconsin Code of Ethics
• United Way of Inner Wisconsin is committed to the highest ethical standards.  Indeed, based on the unique trust placed in United Way of Inner Wisconsin to serve the public good, we have a special obligation to act ethically.
• The success of the United Way system and our reputation depend upon the ethical conduct of everyone affiliated with the United Way of Inner Wisconsin.  Volunteers, staff, and representatives set an example for each other, and for member United Way organizations, by their pursuit of excellence in high standards of performance, professionalism, and ethical conduct. 
• We are mindful that our core values must be clearly articulated, communicated and continuously reinforced.  In addition, more detailed policies; guidelines, explanations, definitions and examples are often needed to bring these values into actual practice.  While no document can anticipate all of the challenges that may arise, the Code communicates key guidelines and will assist United Way of Inner Wisconsin volunteers, staff and representatives in making good decisions that are ethical and in accordance with applicable requirements.
•  1. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY:  A personal commitment to integrity in all circumstances benefits each individual as well as the organization.  We therefore:
  • Strive to meet the highest standards of performance, quality, service and achievement in working towards the United Way of Inner Wisconsin mission.
  • Communicate honestly and openly and avoid misrepresentation.
  • Promote a working environment where honesty, open communication and a diversity of opinions are valued.
  • Exhibit respect and fairness toward all those with whom we come into contact.
• 2. ACCOUNTABILITY:  United Way of Inner Wisconsin is responsible to its stakeholders, which include member United Ways, donors and others who have placed faith in United Way of Inner Wisconsin.  To uphold this trust, we:
  • Promote good stewardship of United Way of Inner Wisconsin resources, dues and other contributions that are used to pay operating expenses, salaries, and employee benefits, and administration.
  • Ensure that travel, entertainment and related expenses are incurred on a basis consistent with the mission of United Way of Inner Wisconsin and not for personal gain or interests.
  • Refrain from using organizational resources for non-United Way of Inner Wisconsin purposes.
  • Observe and comply with all laws and regulations affecting United Way of Inner Wisconsin.
• 3. DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:  United Way of Inner Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principle of diversity.  We therefore:
  • Value, champion, and embrace diversity in all aspects of United Way of Inner Wisconsin activities and respect others without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or handicap.
  • Refuse to engage in or tolerate in any other form of discrimination or harassment.
• 4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:  To avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interestwhich could tarnish the reputation of United Way of Inner Wisconsin as well as undermine the public’strust in all United Way organizations, United Way of Inner Wisconsin staff and representatives:
  • Avoid any activity or outside interest which conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of United Way of Inner Wisconsin.
  • Decline any gift, gratuity, or favor in the performance of United Way of Inner Wisconsin duties except for promotional items of nominal value.  Food, transportation, lodging or entertainment is also unacceptable unless directly related to United Way of Inner Wisconsin business.
  • United Way of Inner Wisconsin volunteers:
    • Should not knowingly take any action, or make any statement, intended to influence the conduct of United Way of Inner Wisconsin in such a way to confer any financial benefit on themselves, their immediate family members, or any organization in which they or their immediate family members have a significant interest as stakeholders, directors or officers.
    • During the fund distribution process by the Community Impact Committee and Review Panels, such member shall, if actively engaged as a participating member of the allocation function, abstain from the discussion and decision process with respect to said specific agency creating the conflict of interest.
    • Disclose all known conflicts or potential conflicts of interest in any matter before the Board of Directors, if they are Board members, or any committee upon which they serve and withdraw from the meeting room during any discussion, review and voting in connection with such matter.
• 5.  CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY:  Confidentiality is a hallmark of professionalism.  We therefore:
  • Ensure that all information, which is confidential, privileged or nonpublic, is not disclosed inappropriately.
  • Respect the privacy rights of all individuals in the performance of their United Way of Inner Wisconsin duties.
• 6. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS:  As a charitable corporation, United Way of Inner Wisconsin is prohibited from making contributions to any candidate for public office or to any political committee.  We therefore:
  • Refrain from making any contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee on behalf of United Way of Inner Wisconsin including the use of United Way of Inner Wisconsin facilities for political campaign activities.
  • Refrain from making any contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee in a manner that may create the appearance that the contribution is on behalf of United Way of Inner Wisconsin.
• GUIDANCE AND DISCLOSURE
  • Volunteers, staff, and representatives are encouraged to seek guidance from the President concerning the interpretation or application of this Code of Ethics.  Any known or possible breaches of the Code of Ethics should be disclosed.  Staff and representatives should contact a supervisor.  Volunteers should contact the President.  Reports of possible breaches will be handled in the following manner:
  • All reports of possible breaches will be treated in confidence as much as the organization’s duty to investigate and the law allow.  If confidentiality cannot be maintained, the individual disclosing the possible breach will be notified.
  • All reported breaches will be investigated.
  • Retaliation against a person who suspects and reports a Breach in good faith will be treated as an independent breach of the Code.
  • United Way of Inner Wisconsin affirms prompt and fair resolution of all reported breaches
• Approved February 25, 2004
• Amended March 26, 2007