6 takeaways from United Way of East Central Iowa annual meeting

CEDAR RAPIDS — The United Way of East Central Iowa held its annual meeting Tuesday at the Doubletree hotel and convention center in downtown Cedar Rapids. Robert Putnam, Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, was the keynote speaker. More than 350 people attended the event, which United Way officials said is the biggest turnout in quite some time. Here are six key takeaways:

1. Four awards were presented during the luncheon to recognize community members for distinguished services in 2015.

The John B. Northcott Award, given to recognize an individual volunteer who has been of outstanding service to the United Way, went to Brad Hart, an attorney at Bradley & Riley PC.

The Community Philantropist Award, given to a person who has a proven record of exceptional generosity and has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility, was presented to Terri Christoffersen, a community volunteer who serves on several boards, including the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

The Young Leaders Award, recognizing a person who has made extraordinary impact through services and who represents dedication, commitment and leadership in their profession and community, was given to Kari Cooling, vice president and market leader at Holmes Murphy.

The Lynn L. Nichols Award, which acknowledges outstanding professional leadership services and collaboration by a United Way partner agency, went to Delaine Petersen, retired executive director of the Arc of East Central Iowa.

2. Katie Mulholland, outgoing chairwoman for the United Way Board of Directors, introduced the incoming board officers: Jon Bancks of Morgan Stanley, chairman; Cathy Terukina of The Gazette Co., vice chairwoman; James Klein of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, secretary; and Jim Hadded of Hadded Consulting Services, treasurer. Other incoming board members are Ray Brown of ESCO Group, Mike Butterfield of HDR Engineering, Bob Perna of Rockwell Collins and Charlie Schimberg of Schimbert Co. Outgoing board members are Cindy Dietz of Rockwell Collins, Larry Helling of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Martha May of Rockwell Collins, Maureen Osako of Informatics and Tim White of Whirlpool.

3. Keynote speaker Robert Putnam gave a passionate speech on the growing divide between children in affluent and poor families and the long-term impact it has on each child's life. This in particular, he said, can have devastating effects on a child's educational opportunities. Putnam, who has been studying this trend in nine cities across the United States, said 71 percent of children in poorer families will not go on to finish college 'because they picked the wrong parents.' This is due to the fact children in poorer families tend to have less access to opportunities than those from other social classes, he said. Putnam, author of 'Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis,' went on to encourage those gathered at the United Way meeting to invest and make changes in today's society, saying 'this is a problem we can begin to solve here.'

4. Brad Hart and Kevin Knutson revealed a few details of this year's annual campaign, which has been dubbed, 'The Power of You.' Hart and Knutson are co-chairmen of this year's campaign.

Although a fundraising goal has yet to be set, the two men said the campaign is off to a great start as United Way officials already have secured two challenge grants. The first, in the amount of $25,000 is from Homes Murphy and the second, for $100,000, is from John and Diane Smith. The grant money is an added incentive for others to give. More details about the grants are to be released later this year. Tuesday served as the official kickoff of this year's campaign, which runs until the end of the calendar year, said Shannon Hanson, senior manager for marketing and communications at United Way of East Central Iowa.

5. Every person in attendance received a copy of the United Way's fiscal year 2015 annual report. The report shows the United Way raised more than $11.5 million through its annual campaign last year and had total revenue in excess of $12 million. The report also lays out goals in the areas of education, financial stability and health. United Way officials hope that by 2020, the five-county region the organization serves — Linn, Benton, Cedar, Iowa and Jones — sees a 30 percent increase in the number of children who are developmentally and academically on track by fourth grade; a 15 percent increase in the number of financially stable households and a 10 percent improvement in the social connectedness and mental health of low-income adults.

6. The United Way hosts its next fundraiser, the Purses and Plates auction, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Ave. Bridge. The event is being held to celebrate Women's Leadership Initiative's 10th anniversary. Cost is $50 per person. For more information, call (319) 398-5372.