The United Way of Rhode Island’s mission to create opportunities for people to do better for themselves and their families is mirrored in its employee culture.
In fact, United Way is in the midst of empowering employees by turning them into “coaches.” The nonprofit, which started out as the Providence Community Fund in 1926, recently hired a consultant to train a group of staff members enhanced coaching skills, and over the next 12 months, those “Coaching Council” members will pass their leadership and mentoring skills onto other staff members.
“We will … continue evolving our culture to one of coaching rather than bossing,” said Lynn Corwin, director of human resources at United Way.
To keep the lines of communication open, United Way’s president sends an e-mail every Monday highlighting key items for the week, and employees are encouraged to send questions directly to him. Every department meets at least once per month in person, and the entire staff meets monthly to discuss the organization’s agenda.
Staffers also participate in developing United Way’s strategic plan so they can understand how their job impacts organizational goals – reinforcing the fact that United Way’s CEO believes in the value each individual brings to the organization.
United Way supports professional growth with annual performance reviews, where senior managers discusses employees futures as well as training and development needs that can help a person move up. The organization also recognizes employee accomplishments through Employee of the Month and Employee of the Quarter awards.
As with many nonprofits, it has been a tough few years financially, but the United Way still gives employees bonuses when it can.
It pays about 85 percent of the total cost for individual or family health plans. •
