Vision: A community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential | | Mission: To solve our community’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas | | Values: Teamwork, Innovation, Mission Focus, Integrity, Excellence | | |
Spring is a busy time of year for us with events, tax season, end of the school year, campaigns, etc. Many of us feel there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. We are all given 24 hours, and often I fall into the trap of doing what is easy rather than what is most beneficial to accomplish my goals.
I am very grateful for James Ellout, Coretta Hill and Mary Clarke for guiding us through the development of WIGs and quarterly check-ins. The quarterly check-ins are a new process for us, and like any new activity, it can be difficult incorporating into our routines. Speaking personally, I have not completed check-ins on time; however, when I do complete a check-in, good things happen – refocusing on what will move us forward and a feeling of pride for what has been accomplished.
As our values state, we are striving for excellence, not perfection. We continue our progress toward excellence with each attempt to move forward.
— Melanie
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Happy Birthday:
Brittny Woodard - 4/22
Kathryn Amason - 4/23
Jennifer Oliveras - 4/26
Happy Anniversary:
Emma McCabe - 4/22 (1 year)
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Staff Showcase
Heidi Ellis
Position/Department: Team Lead, 988
Time at United Way: 3 years
Top 5 Favorites List: Top 5 Vacation Destinations
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1. Las Vegas – gamble, nice hotels, good shows, gamble some more. Love it.
2. Cruises (anywhere) – You can travel to different places, all-inclusive activities and food.
3. Nashville – Lots of honky-tonks.
4. New Zealand – It's on my bucket list. Beautiful.
5. New England – Home to visit family and friends.
| | COMMUNITY IMPACT - 211 AND 988 | | |
🗣️ Reminder: Entering the Contact Center
Please be mindful to keep your voice volume low when entering the contact center.
Quiet entries help preserve focus, calm and care for every contact. Thanks for helping keep our environment supportive and professional!
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New Required NAVEX Training
All Staff must complete mandatory online Ethics training via NAVEX by next Monday, April 28.
Check your email from donotreply@navexglobal.com with the subject:
“Required to read or complete: 'Ethics and Code of Conduct' – Due: 04/28/2025”.
- The email includes your username and instructions to set up a password.
- Complete the training, read and acknowledge United Way’s Code of Ethics, pass the test and view the certificate of completion at the end. The training takes approximately 30 minutes.
- Do not send the certificate to HR—completion is tracked automatically.
- Reminder emails will continue from donotreply@navexglobal.com until this mandatory training has been done.
Questions? Please contact Mary Clarke.
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Operation Safe Driver Update
Driving to perform United Way-related business?
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United Way employees who drive their own vehicle or a rental to perform business-related activities (such as attending off-site meetings, handling materials transport and even attending our annual retreat offsite) are being assigned four mandatory tasks today in Paychex. These four tasks are to sign and acknowledge our driver policies, to upload a copy of your current motor vehicle insurance and to register with SambaSafety for a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check. These tasks are mandatory to ensure compliance, safety and up-to-date records to be in compliance with United Way’s liability insurance.
Please check your Paychex “Tasks” tile later today and follow the directions for each of the four tasks. Your timely completion is appreciated!
| | MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS | | |
MLK Weekend of Service: What a marketing dream!
This year’s MLK Weekend of Service showed how marketing helps turn big ideas into real impact!
📬 Email
A consistent email campaign helped critical event information reach more people. Open rates improved with our list cleanup after each send (by removing bounces), improving deliverability. While click rates dipped slightly, steady engagement through sign ups showed our audience was paying attention.
🌐 Website
Our MLK Weekend page saw a 58% increase in traffic over last year. That’s a big visibility win that was influenced likely by our paid ads and the growing recognition of the event. This momentum is giving us great insight into how we can improve content and page experience next year.
📱 Social media
LinkedIn led in reach, especially in the days leading up to MLK Weekend of Service. Though we didn’t see a high number of social media shares, comments and "likes" were solid. While there are still opportunities to build on, we’re learning what content resonates and how to build on that momentum.
From staff helping shape the message to those who helped share it, these results were a team effort! Want to help us grow our digital outreach even more? Share posts, tag us or reach out to brainstorm ways we can share our work. Every click, "like" and share makes you an influencer.
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This Thursday is Champions of Change
Thursday, April 24
6-10 p.m. | Awards presentation begins at 6:30 p.m.
Emerald Station
2320 N. Liberty St.
Jacksonville, FL, 32206
Our first-ever Champions of Change Awards is just days away. This event will be a night of Grammy-worthy vibes recognizing this year’s honorees whose generosity and service are shaping a brighter future in our community.
If you would like to volunteer to help at this event, please sign up here.
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Below are some upcoming events that staff are welcome to attend as members of Women United or Atlantic Circle or as paid non-member attendees.
Women United's Up Close and Personal
Women leaders, don't miss this premier event!
Thursday, May 15
6-8 p.m. at Private 131
131 First Ave. N.
Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250
Don’t miss Up Close & Personal – the region's premier event for women dedicated to making a difference! Hosted by Women United, United Way of Northeast Florida’s society for community-minded female leaders, this memorable evening celebrates the spirit of service and philanthropy.
Start the evening networking, then engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion and intimate roundtable conversations with local women leaders who are making a difference in our community. Grab your friends and RSVP early – this signature event is always in high demand!
Free for Women United members
$20 for non-members
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Atlantic Circle's Link to Leaders
Young professionals, fuel up on leadership insights!
Wednesday, June 11
7:30-9:30 a.m.
Jessie Ball duPont Center
Lecture Hall, second floor
40 E. Adams St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Kickstart your morning with the launch of Atlantic Circle’s Link to Leaders quarterly series. Our first session, "Navigating Leadership Early in Your Career," explores what it takes to accelerate your professional growth. Board member Diana Sorfleet of CSX will guide a conversation on stepping up, taking initiative and standing out as an emerging leader.
Link to Leaders is a quarterly series of professional development and networking events designed to connect you with like-minded young professionals and successful community leaders. In small groups, you’ll tackle real workplace challenges and explore strategies to navigate them. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your network and leadership skills! Free for Atlantic Circle members, $10 for non-members. RSVP here.
| | VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | | | | |
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 share the awesome benefits of our Volunteer Hub!
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Don't see below a key date you'd like listed? Request your supervisor submit it in next week's Monday Message template (due Thursday).
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April 24: All Staff meeting
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April 24: Champions of Change
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April 20-26: National Volunteer Week
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May 1: Tax season ends
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May 6: Tocqueville Society Spring Soiree
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May 7-9: RealSense May Daze
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May 15: Up Close & Personal
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May 26: Memorial Day, office closed
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May 28: Atlantic Circle Meet the Board Social
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May 31: Stein Fellowship applications close
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June 11: Atlantic Circle Link to Leaders event
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June 20: Day of Action
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July 4: Independance Day, office closed
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