Items of Importance

IOI090828

Commentary - United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley

The 2009 United Way campaign kicks off on September 3rd at the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center. Buffet line opens at 11:30, program begins at Noon and ends at 1:00 p.m.

The purpose of the kickoff is to get people excited about the campaign.

Tickets - $22 per person or $176 for table of eight - 12% decrease from last year.

The campaign goal will be announced at the Kickoff.

The program lineup will include a testimony from a United Way program recipient.

United Way exists to create positive change in the Chattahoochee Valley. It brings the resources together to improve people's lives and works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks of a good life - education, income and health in addition to meeting the most basic needs of our community,

United Way is focused on helping children and youth achieve their potential through education, helping families become financially stable and independent and improving people's health.

United Way is the most powerful investment to ensure quality of life for all our citizens.

More than 20,000 givers, hundreds of volunteers who donate countless hours serving on committees, assisting with community projects, helping to raise more than $6.9 million in 2008.

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley helps thousands of people throughout our region in eight counties - Muscogee, Harris, Chattahoochee, Stewart, Talbot, Marion and Taylor counties in GA and Russell in AL.

United Way is governed locally by an independent Board of Directors Chaired by Rob Doll, Rob

Doll Nissan and Chair-Elect, Abbott Turner, Char-Broil Steakhouse.

There are 25 agencies receiving funding for 47 programs.

Nearly 88% of every dollar raised goes directly to provide needed services in the Chattahoochee Valley.

Contact Information Tel 706-327-3255.

Web - www.unitedwayofthecv.org

Email - liveunited@unitedwayofthecv.org

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITEDTM

Tuesday, September 1, 6:30 pm First Presbyterian Dialogue Group meets

The First Presbyterian dialogue group will continue its discussion led by CSU Professor John Studstill. Current events across the broad spectrum of political, social, and economic values are forcing us to look more carefully at ourselves. The discussion will continue: "Beyond Race."

Be a part of the dialogue at 6:30 on Tuesday, September 1 in the First Presbyterian Church MUSEUM (the room across the large foyer area as you enter the building), located on First Avenue, immediately to the north of the main church (toward the corner of First Avenue and Twelfth Street). There is limited parking in the lot in front of the entrance with more parking on the street.

Contact: H Berrien Zettler 706-324-6363

One Columbus Business Dialogue Groups available

O ne Columbus Dialogue Groups are bridge building experiences that take place in neighborhoods, community organizations, for profit and non-profit settings where bridge building among the participants fosters improvement of relationships to strengthen the bottom line and build rapport among those involved.

The Business Dialogue Group provides an honest assessment of workplace barriers to trust, teamwork, performance, and productivity (e.g., stereotyping); strategies to enhance internal and external communication and features an exceptional value, time sensitive, professional turnkey program for small and medium size companies

It includes a series of 5 or more sessions that ensure:

· Improving employees' satisfaction with the workplace,

· Reducing the "Us and Them" mentality,

· Fostering better team work,

· Improving communications that will lead to improving productivity,

· Bettering employee relations through reduced friction,

· Providing an opportunity to develop leadership skills, and

· Increasing participant's knowledge base of themselves with respect to their families and their communities.

These groups provide for building and strengthening leadership teams at all levels of an organization applying the most modern and proven tools found in the field focused on measurable success for the organization.

The 5 or more sessions in a business dialogue group series will guide participants through the processes necessary to assure a successful team-building experience to help them achieve new heights of success and strengthen the business' bottom line.

A pro-active prevention program can sometimes avert major HR challenges.

Contact One Columbus at 706-315-0162

DOWN THE ROAD

Wednesday, September 9, 7:15 am Race Relations Breakfast resumes at Ruth Ann's

Presenting at the next breakfast will be Dr. Susan Andrews, addressing the SPLOST. Here is a chance to meet the superintendant and get your questions answered.

Breakfast begins at 7:30 am

A contribution of $7.00 is asked

Contact: Lee Brantley 706-494-5400

Sunday, September 13, 2009 International Festival

The Mayor's Commission on Unity and Diversity plans its International Festival at Peachtree Mall on Sunday, September 13 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm

Showcasing countries from around the world with professional and local cultural entertainers in music, dance, costumes, traditional customs, food, and booths, this is one of those events where Columbus celebrates its heritage

Contact: 706-653-4017

www.columbusga.org/mayor/diversity/htm