I will be out of the office Monday through Wednesday this week learning about the success Charlotte has achieved in creating economic prosperity for their community. I look forward to learning the role nonprofits have played in supporting growth and development in Charlotte and connecting with Jacksonville leaders who are passionate about economic mobility. I will share with you all what I learn over the next few days.

Our vision (listed at the top of this email) inspires me to do my best. I know our vision is achievable and, once accomplished, will result in an oasis of peace, respect and belonging. We are living in challenging times, and each of us has the power to bring joy and comfort into our lives and the lives of the people around us. Thank you for caring for each other and our community.

- Melanie

PEOPLE

Staff Profile

Michael Willis



Position/Department: Site Coordinator, Community Impact

Years at United Way: 16

Why are you passionate about United Way and/or your work?

I strongly believe in United Way's mission and helping students and families overcome life's difficult challenges.

Hometown: St. Augustine, Florida

What's a fun fact about yourself?

I've had a heart pacemaker for the last 13 years and studied abroad in Lyon, France, in college.

Favorite Book: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama

Favorite Band: Jodeci

Favorite Movie: Boomerang and Love Jones

Hobbies: Tennis and cycling

Favorite thing to do in Northeast Florida: Spending time with family and playing tennis or cycling on a beautiful sunny day.

Welcome, Alexis!

Alexis Woods comes to the United Way of Northeast Florida with 20 years experience in the nonprofit arena. For 18 years, Alexis served as the director of community engagement with one of our partner agencies, Angelwood, Inc., working with volunteers and fundraising. In 2021, she was the planned giving and endowments coordinator for JewishColumbus (Jewish Federation). After returning from a visit to Germany, Alexis is excited to work with the team at United Way and be part of our mission.  

When Alexis isn’t working, she loves listening to live music, traveling and watching her beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

IT

We want to ensure everyone receives prompt assistance. By using the support ticket system, we can better track and manage IT and phone-related requests.

If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about these procedures, please feel free to email IT Support. They are here to assist you and keep our technology running smoothly.

Thank you for your cooperation. Questions? Please contact Laurrie Campbell.

MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL

211 Non-Disclosure Agreement

All United Way employees are required to sign a new “211 Non-Disclosure Agreement” by Wednesday, Nov. 8. This is related to a compliance requirement for a grant that funds our 211 operations call center.  

Because we all work for the same organization, United Way of Northeast Florida employees may be exposed to 211 call center operations and confidential information regarding client’s needs, requests for services, personal situations, identity information, etc. 

Therefore, all employees must read the Non-Disclosure Agreement and sign and submit the form online using the link below. Do not print the form; sign it electronically using the link below. The completed online forms will be documented and retained by Human Resources.  

Read and sign the 211 Non Disclosure Agreement here. 

If you have any questions about the 211 Non-Disclosure Agreement, please contact Mary Clarke in Human Resources.  

Florida Blue Care Consultants Are Ready to Assist

Employees and dependents who are enrolled in a Florida Blue health insurance plan sometimes need extra help to make the most out of their benefits or even to understand how their benefits work. Did you know you can easily reach out to the Florida Blue “Care Consultants” for assistance by phone? They can help coordinate your care among multiple doctors, review treatment options and provide cost estimates. They can send you additional educational materials and can even assist if you need help understanding your claims and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements, etc.  

If you contact the Florida Blue Care Consultants, be sure to take clear notes on what you have discussed and ask if the consultant can email you a summary. Ask for the consultant’s name and for a reference number for your call. Then, if you have to call back, you might be able to ask for the same consultant, and any consultant will be able to reference notes from prior calls.  

There is no cost to you for calling the Florida Blue Care Consultants. They are health care professionals offering you support and guidance. You can reach Florida Blue Consultants at 888-476-2227.  

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

New Signatures in the Marketing Resources Folder

There is a new PDF in the Templates folder in Marketing Resources folder on Teams. This file has links to build your specific signature based on your department and/or team. Please follow the instructions on the PDF. If you need help, Milena Gil and Wendy Boord will have a block of time this Wednesday from 4-5 p.m. to answer questions and help troubleshoot.

Updating your signature is required by every staff member to ensure brand continuity and organizational brand cohesion. Please plan to update you signature by Nov. 9. It looks so cool so we think you're gonna like it! Shout-out to Wendy for learning and using a neat new tool to make our email signatures so great.

If you have any questions or suggestions on what you'd like to see in the Marketing Resources folder, please email Milena Gil.

Join United Way at the Veterans Day Parade!

This Nov. 11, we invite you to walk alongside VCE, Marketing and the Mission United teams in the Veterans Day Parade.

Let's come together as a "United" force to honor and express gratitude to our brave Veterans. Join us for a memorable day of camaraderie, patriotism and community spirit. Together, let's show our Veterans that Northeast Florida stands with them in gratitude and respect. We will also be passing out Mission United services and donation information.

Please note: we will walk a total of 2.47 miles, and we will need to be at our line-up spot by 9:45 a.m., with the parade beginning promptly at 11:01 a.m. Participants will park at the Prime Osborn and take the shuttle to the start at the stadium. If you're interested in walking with us, please register here. Friends and family are welcome to join in.

You are welcome to use bicycles, scooters and wheelchairs in the parade.

More details to come, including a possible pre- and after-party! Questions in the meantime? Contact Erica La Spada.

VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Volunteer Recruitment at Stanton College Prep

Lashaundra Sawyer and Maria Vogt, along with RealSense’s Wesley James, participated in Stanton College Preparatory School’s volunteer tabling event Oct. 24. This event allowed local nonprofits a chance to talk to students about volunteer opportunities they might be interested in to earn class credit, college credit or volunteer hours. Staff and students at Stanton were welcoming and receptive of the information United Way shared with them.

United Way Volunteer Hub

If your department uses volunteers in any way or you want to learn more about the United Way of Northeast Florida’s Volunteer Hub, please be sure to reach out to the VCE department. VCE is eager to be of service and to share the awesome benefits of the Volunteer Hub!  

KEY DATES AT A GLANCE

Don't see below a key date you'd like listed? Request your supervisor submit to it in next week's Monday Message template (due Friday).

• Nov. 2, 9 and 16: RealSense Dinner and Certificate Financial Literacy Series 
• Nov. 4: Fidelity Investments Transformation Day  
• Nov. 4: RealSense Tax Site Coordinator Training  
• Nov 8: Tocqueville Salute to Service Event  
• Nov. 10: Veterans Days observed (United Way offices closed)  
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day Parade 
• Nov 11: RealSense Tax Site Coordinator Training 
• Nov. 14: Affordable Housing Announcement 
• Nov. 23-24: Thanksgiving Holiday (United Way offices closed)  
• Dec. 2, 9 and 16: RealSense Volunteer Income Tax Program Training 
• Dec. 19: Board of Directors Meeting  
• Dec. 22: Christmas Eve observed (United Way offices closed)  
• Dec. 25: Christmas Day (United Way offices closed)  
• Jan. 1: New Year's Day (United Way offices closed)  
• Jan. 4, 11 and 18: RealSense Dinner and Certificate Financial Literacy Series 
• Jan. 6, 13 and 20: RealSense Volunteer Income Tax Program Training  
• Jan. 13: MLK Day of Service  
• Jan. 15: MLK Holiday Grand Parade 
• Jan 27: EITC Awareness Day  
• Feb. 5: UNF Black Alumni Week Mental Health Forum (United Way is a sponsor)
• Feb. 11: 211 Day
• April 13: 100th Anniversary Community Celebration

UNITED WAY IN THE NEWS

Explore recent news content related to United Way of Northeast Florida:

News4Jax: Could people fleeing from the Hamas-Israel conflict seek refuge in our area?

The Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Housing Authority will buy complaint-plagued apartments in Eastside

Jacksonville Daily Record: Deegan nominations to face City Council scrutiny

Florida Politics: ‘Fresh eyes’: Donna Deegan puts her stamp on Jax Kids Hope Alliance Board

Yahoo! Life: Mayor Deegan makes appointments to the Kids Hope Alliance Board

First Coast News: What mental health experts want you to know about the record heat

First Coast News: United Way helps students & teachers get the supplies they need

First Coast News: Suicide lifeline calls up 250 percent, Northeast Florida director says