Our History
1985
The South East Steuben United Way, Central Steuben United Way and the Hornell Area United Way created informal partnerships whose goal was to maximize resources and improve effectiveness of each of the organizations in community relations and campaign.
1989
Southeastern Steuben United Way and the United Way of Chemung County initiated a joint planning process to explore ways to improve their effectiveness by working together. A joint fundraising campaign, a shared Communications Director, and a joint community needs assessment were considered.
1990
The three Steuben County United Ways; Southeastern Steuben United Way, Central Steuben United Way and The Hornell Area United Way, began operating under a formalized federation agreement whereby administrative costs and resources were shared and a joint strategic plan was developed. Sarah Heineman was elected President of the Federation. The 3 Steuben County United Ways had been collaborating informally since the mid 80's.
June 1991
The discussions between Southeastern Steuben United Way and the United Way of Chemung County resulted in a partnership proposal to explore the advisability of restructuring as a means to:
- Improve organizational effectiveness
- Increase the amount of money raised annually
- Reduce administrative and operating costs
The partnership proposal also recommended that Central Steuben United Way and Hornell Area United Way be included in the planning process, and called for the creation of volunteer task forces to address eight key focus areas and report recommendations to the Joint Planning Committee for Board of Director approval in September of 1992.
Members of the Joint Planning Committee were:
Chairman - Richard Rahill, President Corning Enterprises
United Way of Chemung County:
Mark Hagan, Richard Keyser, William McKenzie, Donald Quick, Pat Frantz, Thomas Meier, Joe Manning
United Way of Southeastern Steuben:
Jack Benjamin, Richard Bessey, Jim Flaws, Michael Gabrielli
United Way of Central Steuben:
Mark Lewis, Bonnie Colada
Hornell Area United Way:
Jan Conklin, Sarah Heineman, Robert Colucci
Staff Members: Sara Moore, Central Steuben United Way and Hornell Area United Way; Ann Weiland, SE Steuben County; and Douglas Weber, UW of Chemung County
January 1992
Following approval of the partnership proposal, a taskforce orientation was held at the Steuben County Building in Bath to initiate the process of restructuring. Chairperson and members of the 8 task forces were introduced, expectations and responsibilities were discussed, a timetable was approved, and the planning advanced to a more detailed and specific level. The taskforces, chairs and members were as follows:
Task Force Membership
Agency Relations
Chair: Mark Hagan (C)
Staff: Ann Weiland (SE)
Frederick Brink (H)
Robert Ferris (H)
Gary Pruyn (CS)
Bonnie Colado (CS)
Michael Doherty (C)
Judith Clovsky (C)
Dennis Emo (SE)
Charles Chase (SE)
Allocations/Needs Assessment
Chair: Greg Heffner (CS)
Staff: Ann Weiland (SE)
Natalie Murphy (C)
Carl Pawlak (H)
Helen Burke (H)
Ronald Conrad (CS)
Michael Gabrielli (CS)
Donald Peterson (C)
Larry Comereski (C)
Marilyn Baxter (SE)
Thomas Hart (SE)
Campaign
Chair: Jack Benjamin (SE)
Staff: Sara Moore (CS & H)
Timothy Kelly (SE)
Edward Wackowski (C)
Donald Dhans (H)
Fred Marks (H)
Joseph Cinelli (CS)
Donna Lewis (CS)
Philip Ponzi (C)
Joseph Manning (C)
James Krueger (SE)
Communications/Public Relations
Chair: Janet Rothbeind (H)
Staff: Sara Moore (CS & H)
Gayle Gebhard (H)
Robert Penrod (CS)
Sandra Jansen (CS)
Richard Bessey (SE)
Ronald Kitson (SE)
Clyde Smoll (C)
Finance
Chair: Donald Quick (C)
Staff: Douglas Weber (C)
Mark Brewer (H)
Kenneth Philbrick (H)
Herbert Forte (CS)
Robert Turissini (CS)
Greg Hintz (CS)
James Butler (C)
James Flaws (SE)
Scott Smith (SE)
Human Resources
Chair: Richard Keyser, Esq (C)
Staff: Douglas Weber (C)
William McKenzie (C)
Thomas Meier (C)
Faye Ballentine (CS)
Gerald Walker (H)
Mark Lewis (CS)
Paul Bryant (SE)
Martie Ludden (SE)
Sister Rene McNiff (H)
Information Systems
Chair: Rob Legg (SE)
Staff: Douglas Weber (C)
Larry Campbell (C)
David Lampila (H)
Legal
Chair: Cindy Hutchinson (C)
Staff: Ann Weiland (SE)
Ernest Peltz (CS)
John Peck (SE)
David Crosby (H)
During the process, the finance and information task forces were combined into a single taskforce.
Four principal reasons for the consolidation were identified:
- To reduce fundraising and operating costs. Collectively, the four United Ways expended over 21 percent of campaign revenues for administrative and overhead. The goal was to reduce them to 17%
- To establish a more cost effective system of fundraising and supporting agency partners.
- To increase the percentage of campaign dollars allocated to agencies.
- To expand community services throughout the area and increase the quality of service delivery to the community.
All goals were met and exceeded in the years following the consolidation. Over $100,000 in expenses were saved the first year following the consolidation.
June 1992
The seven task forces reported their recommendations to the Joint Planning Committee.
July 1992
A sub-committee of the Joint Planning Committee developed an affiliation proposal based on the recommendations of the task forces that focused on organizational structure, campaign allocation and communication.
July 1993
The Joint Planning Committee approved, what was then called, a partnership proposal and each of the four United Way Chairs, Robert Colucci, Hornell Area United Way, Bonnie Colado, Central United Way, James Flaws, United Way of Southeastern Steuben and Dr. Thomas Meier, United Way of Chemung, recommended its adoption to their respective Board of Directors.
March 16, 1993
Following approval by each of the individual Board of Directors, a plan of consolidation was signed by each of the chairs and filed with the NYS Department of State for approval. Each individual Board of Directors continued to function until state approval was received.
Eight Board members were selected in March 1993 and were assigned the responsibility of creating a 30-member board. These eight directors are listed below. James Flaws was elected the first President of the new organization.
Marilyn Baxter, Chase Manhattan Bank
Richard Bessey, Community Volunteer
James Butler, Swift Glass Company
James Flaws, Corning Inc.
E. Pat Thompson Frantz, Star Gazette
Michael Gabrielli, Corning Enterprises
Sarah Heineman, Community Volunteer
Joseph Manning, Chemung Canal Trust
September 1993
The first full Board of Directors was elected. Members were:
Central Steuben
Bonnie Colado
Michael Gabrielli
Mark Lewis
Linda Tetor
Robert Turissini
Chemung
James Butler
Sr. Marie Castagnaro
Pat Thompson Frantz
John Gough
Mark Hagan
Joseph Manning
Donald Peterson
Clyde Smoll
Richard Swan
G. Thomas Tranter, Jr.
Hornell
Mark Brewer
Stephen Clark
Janis Conklin
Robert Colucci
Sarah Heineman
Southeastern
Marilyn Baxter
Richard Bessey
Michael Bliss
Albert Brown
James Flaws
M. Ann Gosnell
Caryl Lucarelli
Harvey Shrednick
Stacia Simpson
Alan Smith
November 1993
- The Department of State issued final approval and the United Way of Chemung and Steuben Counties was incorporated on November 19, 1993
- Douglas Weber, President of United Way of Chemung County was chosen to head the new organization. Ann Weiland, President of Southeastern Steuben was appointed Vice President of the consolidated organization, headquartered in Corning, NY.
- The first fundraising campaign raised three million dollars and faced major obstacles because of the national scandal caused by the misappropriation of funds by B. William Aramony, the President of United Way of America.
April 1994
- The first annual meeting of the United Way of Chemung and Steuben Counties was held at the Radisson. Joseph Manning was elected Chair of the Board of Directors.
June 1995
- Andrew R. Mazzella became the organizations second president and served in that capacity until July 2003.
- The first Strategic Plan "Building CommUnity" was implemented in 1997 and the Board of Directors adopted as its first localized mission statement: "To build a stronger community by investing in programs that help people improve their lives. The vision statement was "To be recognized, trusted and respected as the best way to help the most people".
2001
- The name of the organization was changed to United Way of the Southern Tier in 1997 and moved into its present office at 300 Civic Center Plaza in January of 2001. A campaign milestone was reached that year as well when $4,000,000 was raised for the first time.
- The Board of Directors approved a Community Solutions Plan, "Mobilizing the Caring Power of our Community".
June 2003
- Ron Hatch of Louisville, KY became the 3rd President of the United Way of the Southern Tier. Ron brought a wealth of United Way experience to the position, having served as Vice President of Community Investment at Metro United Way of Louisville.
