Community Involvement
Mark A. Tucker, MNM | Executive Director
December 2021
The call to action with United Way is to Live United. To engage individuals to give, advocate, and volunteer for issues or organizations they have a passion for. We are fortunate to live in a place that does so. But as a local employer, we consider what we can do for others as well. With a small staff, we know building relationships and lending a hand goes a long way to building a strong community. It also helps our neighbors understand our work which leads to increasing our capacity and impact.
With that in mind, I have been evaluating my community involvement which has included Coeur d’Alene Rotary, FEMA Regional Emergency Food & Shelter Boards, and local committees. I am happy to have been invited to help lead three great groups: Idaho Early Childhood Advisory Council, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and United Ways of the Pacific Northwest Executive Committee.
• Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The mission of the CdA Chamber is to promote, support, and advocate for members to enhance the business environment, assuring for profitability today and prosperity tomorrow.
• Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council. Appointed by Governor Little, the ECAC is charged with overseeing a statewide group of local collaboratives to explore and implement early learning activities. The ECAC is staffed and led by the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children.
• United Ways of the Pacific Northwest Second Vice President. UWPNW is a membership organization of Local United Ways (LUW) in Washington and Oregon, soon to be joined by Idaho. Executive leadership is selected based on geography and is to include a representative for each state.
In addition to these, in order for our organization to represent the ALICE population, we have been participating in the Regional Housing & Growth Partnership as well as the Panhandle Area Council Economic Recovery & Resiliency Team.
What about you?
Are you interested in serving your community? Consider your local Chamber of Commerce as they typically have great need for volunteer committees.
Coeur d’Alene: cdachamber.com/committees-page
Post Falls: postfallschamber.com/overview-of-committees
Hayden: haydenchamber.org/join-a-committee
Rathdrum: rathdrumchamber.com/groups
Are you interested in more of a leadership role with a nonprofit? All nonprofits are required to be governed by a volunteer (typically) board of directors and greatly appreciate those who are interested in doing so. To learn more about what’s involved, reach out to a specific nonprofit or someone you know who serves. Also, visit the Idaho Nonprofit Center for resources on board governance.
Of course, United Way of North Idaho has opportunities as well. Our Community Impact Councils are a great place to start, where you’ll learn about the local needs and great work being done in our community. We also are developing our outreach and fundraising committees!
Whatever direction you choose. Whether it’s a one-day volunteer project or a commitment to serving a few years in a leadership role, your efforts make an impact on your community… and you!