IN THIS ISSUE1 Financial Empowerment Partnership

1 Annual Awards Celebration

2 Community Campaign Cabinet

3 Fun in the Sun

4 Alexis de Tocqueville/Leadership

5 Heritage Club Luncheon

6 Day of Caring

7 Young Leaders Society

JUNE 2012

a moNTHly NEwSlETTEr from UNITEd way of SaNTa barbara coUNTy

Santa Barbara United

The sTaff and volunTeers involved in United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Financial Empowerment Partnership (FEP) prepared 1,470 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) returns this past tax season. This total represents 21% increase from the previous year. The average 2011 adjusted gross income for FEP’s VITA clients was $21,883 a year. To put this in perspective, to be eligible for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a potential VITA client (a family of four) needs to earn under $50,000 a year. UWSBC’s FEP VITA program served clients well below the indicators needed to receive this assistance.

Because VITA services are free of charge for qualifying clients, several families were surprised on how much money they saved! For example, one low-income, single mom, who used VITA services, reported that a professional tax service in south Santa Barbara County was planning on charging her $100 per child or

dependent listed on her return. With three children this service would have cost her $300 alone just to list the child’s full name and social security number on a basic tax return. In contrast,

on average, south Santa Barbara County VITA clients received a tax return of $1,775. In total, preliminary results, showed the Financial Empowerment Partnership helped put $1.37 million back into the south Santa Barbara community through its VITA program. Since most low-income taxpayers qualify for Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, predatory tax services can and will charge hefty fees for using their services, in anticipation of the large tax returns low income families may receive.

uniTed Way of sanTa BarBara CounTy hosted its 89th Annual Awards Celebration at Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore in Montecito, on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. The event was made possible partially by sponsors: the Biltmore’s and Floral Ambiance. C.J. Ward from KEYT, Master of Ceremonies, was assisted by Joanne Funari, President of Business First Bank and United Way’s 2012 Community Campaign Chair in presenting the evening’s awards.

Financial Empowerment Partnershiphelping local families achieve financial stability

89th Annual Awards

continued on page 2continued on page 3

Financial Empowerment Partnership Members

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Special appreciation is given to Diane Doiron, a valued member of United Way’s Endowment and Gift Planning Services Committee; Richard & MaryAn Schall for their outstanding philanthropy and to Mike Nissenson for his outstanding volunteering of time, talent & treasure.

The County of Santa Barbara was recognized for their employee and corporate contributions and involvement in volunteer activities and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust for their continued outstanding employee participation in helping United Way reach their community driven 10-year goals.

A total of 30 awards were given to local volunteers, as well as businesses, schools, organizations and the individuals that lead them for their outstanding support of United Way of Santa Barbara County and its numerous programs in the Santa Barbara Community.

2011- 2012 Board of Directors

89th Annual Awards Celebration Continued from page 1

for The 16Th year, fun in The sun (fiTs), a summer learning program for low-income families, will be serving Santa Barbara children and families during the summer months in 2012. FITS is a collaborative effort that includes the best of the best in the sectors of non-profi t, education, business, government, and community volunteers. By utilizing the strengths of 70 local partners, the program offers a comprehensive program that no single

organization can provide. Through hands-on, project-based learning, FITS strengthens learning skills and gives children and families the life skills and the self-respect they need to produce long-term behavioral and academic improvements.

United Way and FITS partners are committed to continued quality improvement and work strategically to improve the program, based on third-party evaluations, best practice research and stakeholder feedback. In 2011, for the 2nd consecutive year, FITS was recognized as a Top 12 Finalist for the national Award of Excellence in Summer Learning Programs by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). This is a great success for not just FITS, but for the entire community. Because of the commitment to continued improvement, FITS aspires to become a nationally recognized program in summer learning. Based upon evaluations and feedback, a three-year strategic plan is putting FITS on the fast track to do just that.

For example, Summer of Service, a service-learning curriculum that was once for only 6th-9th grades, will now be available to all FITS scholars, beginning at grade two. Secondly, FITS recognizes the importance of academic growth in the sciences, and last year, we introduced STEM curriculum into the program. This year, we are improving upon that effort by providing daily STEM curriculum and incorporating arts as a creative and necessary component to education. Finally, research from the National Institute of Child Health and Development indicates that youth weight gain tends to spike during the summer months. FITS promotes a Healthy Eating and Living curriculum.

With these improvements in programming and management, we are making FITS the best that it can be, all to the benefi t of the deserving families in the Santa Barbara community.

Joanne funari, PresidenT of Business firsT BanK will lead United Way of Santa Barbara County’s 2012-2013 Community Campaign as the Community Campaign Chair. The Chairs’ main role is to provide leadership, direction, and support to the Campaign Cabinet to ensure a successful campaign.

Joanne is a founder and president of Business First Bank and has more than 28 years of experience in the fi nancial industry. Prior to joining Business First Bank, she served in executive positions at Santa

Barbara Bank & Trust and Bank of New York. Her education includes a graduate degree with honors and exceptional performance in Asset Liability Management and Finance from the Pacifi c Coast Banking School at the University of Washington and University of California, Los Angeles.

Ms. Funari has been dedicated to the Santa Barbara community for over 20 years and serves the community as a volunteer in numerous capacities including - Board Member for the Foundation for Santa Barbara City

College, President of the SB Citizen Advisory Council for Continuing Education for Santa Barbara City College, Steering Committee Co-Chair of the South Coast Business & Technology Awards, Past President of the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce; Board Member and Treasurer of the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization, Board Member of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project; and Board Member of the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation. Ms. Funari also serves on the Santa Barbara County Finance Corporation on behalf of the First District.

Fun in the Sun 2012on the fast Track to excellence

Joanne Funari to Lead the 2012-2013 Community Campaignfrom the fantastic fifty to the super sixty

Randy Weiss, Carolyn Snyder, Mary Jean Vignone & George Leis from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust

Fun in the Sun Participants

Joanne Funari

Board Offi cers

John Hanna - Board Chair

Retired Executive

Diane B. Doiron, CLU - Vice Chair

Doiron Financial Associates

Joe Holland - Vice Chair

County of Santa Barbara

G. Paul Didier, CFF, MBA - Secretary

United Way of Santa Barbara County

Rick. W. Scott - Chief Financial Offi cer

Cancer Center of Santa Barbara

Tom Thomas - Immediate Past Board Chair

Retired ExecutiveBoard Members

James Armstrong - City of Santa Barbara

Gayle Beebe, Ph. D. - Westmont College

Thomas Brashears - Retired Executive

David Cash, Ph. D. - SB School District

Lance Connor - Reliable Engineering Service

Ron Cortez - University of California, SB

William Curtis - Sullivan Curtis Monroe

Steve Cushman - Retired Executive

Henry Dubroff - Pacifi c Coast Business Times

Blas Garza - Cal Lutheran University

George Leis - Santa Barbara Bank & Trust

Bob Montgomery - Retired Executive

Mike Noling - Community Volunteer

David Prichard - Bank of America

Andreea Serban, Ph.D. -

Coast Community College District

Ron Werft - Cottage Health System

John Wigle - AGIA Insurance Services

2012 Campaign Cabinet Meetings:

• Wednesday - July 11 at 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

• Wednesday - July 18 at 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

• Wednesday - August 1 at 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

• Wednesday - August 15 at 7:30 AM to 9:30 AMAt the United Way offi ce located at 320 E. Gutierrez St.

For pictures of the event and a full list of winners please go to

unitedwaysb.org/annualawards or scan this code:

For pictures of the event and a full list of winners please go to

unitedwaysb.org/annualawards or scan this code:

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Alexis de Tocqueville & Leadership Circle NewsMeMBers of The aleXis de ToCQueville soCieTy and

Leadership Circle gathered on April 20, 2012, at the hilltop estate of Ms. Alice Willfong for the 19th Annual Thank You Reception to enjoy perfect weather, wonderful wines, fabulous food and great company in an exquisite setting.

This thank you and recognition event is made possible by the generosity of AmeriFlex Financial Services who sponsored the invitations and food, John Kochis, General Manager, who donated the wonderful Bridlewood Estate Wines, and Don Kissell, Regional VP of Santa Barbara

Transportation that shuttled all the guests up and down the Arcady Estate.

Paul Didier, United Way’s President & CEO, told members about the new reading program for Kindergarten to 3rd graders that fi lls in the gap we’ve had in consistent learning tools from birth to graduation. Power Reading has some powerful proven tools; with the Imagination Library that puts a book in the mail to children every month, from birth to Kindergarten, LEXIA for K to 3rd graders, and Reading Plus from 3rd grade to Adult, we will truly be United for Literacy!

Co-Chairs, Ed & Sue Birch and Barry & Jo Berkus are happy to announce United Way will be honoring the 2012 Abercrombie Community

Excellence Award recipients Bob & Val Montgomery and DECKERS Outdoor Corporation for their combined contributions of volunteerism

and philanthropy to the community at the gala.Event Details:

Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort from 6:00 pm midnight

UNITED WAY’S HERITAGE CLUB IS MADE UP OF forward-thinking individuals who have chosen to leave their legacy to this community as part of their overall estate plan. Each year we celebrate this elite group of supporters during a private luncheon, and this year it was held at Chuck’s Waterfront Grill on the beautiful Santa Barbara harbor. On Wednesday, June 6, twenty-seven Heritage Club members and their guests enjoyed the spectacular views as they celebrated United Way’s successes that are made possible as a result of Legacy Giving.

Heritage Club members extend their United Way support for generations to come through wisely planned gifts. Their gifts come in many forms, including Charitable Remainder Trusts, Gift Annuities, Donor Advised Funds, Pooled Income Funds,

Bequests, and gifts of Retirement Accounts or Life Insurance policies. United Way’s Endowment and Gift Planning Services Program,

under the guidance of a premier group of volunteer estate and fi nancial planning professionals, offers a variety of techniques which are individually tailored to achieve the philanthropic goals of our donors. These gifts are invested in at least one of fi ve Endowment Funds, which provide a solid foundation of perpetual support for United Way of Santa Barbara County. These endowments insure the future of United Way’s unique and innovative programs for generations to come.

Accolades were given to Steve Hyslop and his staff at Chuck’s Waterfront Grill for making this a memorable event. This luncheon was generously underwritten by the CPA fi rm of Damitz Brooks Nightingale Turner and Morrisset.

If you have named United Way in your estate plan, please let us know so that we might have the opportunity to thank you for your thoughtful generosity and honor you as a member of the Heritage Club. To learn more please contact our Gift Planning Services Offi cer, Judy Goodbody, CFRE, CRTP at 965-8591 ext.120 or email jgoodbody@unitedwaysb.org or visit our website at www.unitedwaysb.org/giftplanning.

27th Annual Heritage Club Appreciation Luncheonheritage Club Members Celebrate Their united Way legacy

Paul Didier, UWSBC Pres. & CEO, Alice Willfong, Hostess, Karen Knight, UWSBC Leadership Officer, John Hanna, UWSBC Board Chair

Valerie & Don Kissell, SB Transportation visiting with Volunteer Comm. Ken Stokes & wife, Joyce

Save the Date for the 16th Annual Red Feather BallHonoring the 2012 Abercrombie Community Excellence Award Recipients

Suzi Schomer, Jeanne Brown, John Morrisseet & Tom Brooks

Tim Gamble, Diane Doiron, Joe Green

Val & Bob Montgomery

UWSBC recognizes that low-income families participating in VITA services are most likely receiving the single largest lump sum of money they will obtain all year long. So, in addition to offering free basic tax services, FEP provides fi nancial literacy education and accessibility to affordable fi nancial products like free checking accounts and savings plans. Financial Empowerment Partnership is comprised of 21 partners to provide all three of these services: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Financial Literacy Education, and Access to affordable fi nancial products. These services are offered with the goal in mind to proactively encourage low-income families to gain fi nancial stability and grow fi nancial assets so that they are not chronically at risk for fi nancial devastation caused by a happening like an unexpected household or auto repair. By building long-term fi nancial assets a low-income family can invest their family’s future.

Financial Empowerment PartnershipContinued from page 1

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Young Leaders Societyunited We lead

THE 21ST ANNUAL DAY OF CARING WILL TAKE PLACE on September 15, 2012. This is the largest one-day volunteer of its kind in the Tri-Counties! Each year, thousands of volunteers gather to complete over $250,000 worth of work at local non-profi ts and other charitable organizations. The work sites vary from parks to schools, churches and shelters and the work performed includes painting, gardening, landscaping, cleaning, building, organizing and much more...

Event Details:Saturday, September 15, 2012

Free Kick-Off Breakfast at Page Youth Center 4540 Hollister Avenue at 8:00 AM

Volunteer at various sites from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Save the Date for the 21st Annual Day of Caringlend a hand - Build a Community

For more information on sponsorship, project submission and volunteering, please check our website: unitedwaysb.org/dayofcaring

Check out our New Website at unitedwaysb.orgSame Address - New Look!

THE GOAL OF UNITED WAY’S YOUNG LEADERS SOCIETY (yls) is to promote and encourage philanthropy and volunteerism among the young leaders of Santa Barbara County, through participation in a variety of social, educational, volunteer and networking opportunities.Launched in April 2009, YLS was formed to benefi t young professionals who are involved with United Way of Santa Barbara County. This unique and dynamic group offers its members multiple avenues to become involved with various United Way and community initiatives, to directly make a difference in people’s lives, and to ultimately become leaders in our community.In the last year, members enjoyed many exclusive opportunities that have positively infl uenced the lives of the members, program recipients and our community. These events included volunteer projects, such

as crafting Valentine’s day cards with seniors, youth mentoring programs, such as United We Read, networking and business workshops on the Global Economy

and Family Estate Planning and other fun events, such as our annual fundraiser United We Bowl. YLS programs give members the opportunity to meet other like-minded civic and business leaders and become acquainted with Santa Barbara’s prominent philanthropists.

Young Leaders Society members are community oriented individuals or couples 40 years of age or younger, contributing a combined annual gift of $300 or more to United Way of Santa Barbara County. Please consider joining as a general body member or becoming an Executive Committee member. The Executive Committee provides innovative ideas and leadership to a larger group offering its members the occasion to make direct change in people’s lives, network with each other, and ultimately become leaders in our community. If you would like to join YLS or hold an Executive Committee position please contact Kerstin Padilla at 805-965-8594 or kpadilla@unitedwaysb.org. To fi nd out more about YLS scan the code:

Day of Caring volunteers at the 20th Annual Day of Caring

2011 - 2012 YLS

Executive Committee:

Co-Chairs:

Amber OrtizSanta Barbara Bank & Trust

Jennifer ParkesVenoco Inc.

General Members:

Juli AskewCommunity Volunteer

Eric BravoEdward Jones

Lee FosterSanta Barbara Bank & Trust

Aaron GillesVillage Properties

Alex KoperBank of America

Steve OrtizUnited Way of Santa Barbara County

Kerstin PadillaUnited Way of Santa Barbara County

YLS Members at Pilgrim Terrace Housing for Valentine’s Day Card Making

Upcoming Events:

Fun in the Sun - Lunch BunchJune 26, 12:00-1:15 PM at Franklin Elementary School

Leadership WorkshopJuly 18, 6:00-8:00 PM at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Community Partners Center

YLS CelebrationAugust 23, 6:00-10:00 PM at Savoy

Day of Caring TeamSeptember 15, 8:00-1:00 PM at various worksites throughout the county

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320 East Gutierrez StreetSanta Barbara, CA 93101-1736

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSanta Barbara, CA

Permit No. 318

Change serviCe requested

Printed on Recycled Paper

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