Volunteer Allocation Team

BE A PART OF OUR VOLUNTEER ALLOCATIONS TEAM!

Each year United Way of West Alabama relies on more than 140 Volunteer Allocation Team members to help make decisions about what community programs will be a good investment of United Way dollars. VAT members increase program accountability to donors of United Way by requiring our 30 partner agencies to define how donor funds will be spent. Between May and September, volunteers convene to discuss agency funding requests and determine whether the funds requested will be a good investment of United Way dollars. Your Allocation Panel will be chaired by a volunteer who will guide you through the process. In addition, United Way Allocation Staff will provide training and general assistance to the panel.

The 2024 Volunteer Allocation Team (VAT) of United Way of West Alabama is currently accepting nominations to serve. This group plays a vital part in the fulfillment of United Way’s mission, as they make important decisions about how the United Way’s money is spent in our community. By participating on the VAT, not only will you meet some wonderful volunteers, but you will also become deeply aware of the services provided by a few of our agencies.

Volunteering has never been easier. This year’s site visits take place between May - September. You are only committed to a 1.5-hour orientation for new members that takes place in April, a 2-hour preliminary meeting, and a 5-hours site visit day, for a total of 8.5 hours.  

Volunteer Job Description

DUTIES INCLUDE

  • Attend a 1.5-hour orientation meeting for new members in April.
  • Attend VAT pre-meeting and read agency materials to prepare for the process.
  • Learn about the agency, its clients, its mission, and its programs. Discover the impact the agency has on the client and community.
  • Attend and actively participate in agency site visits in order to understand the perspective of agency volunteers and staff.
  • Understand the difference between a governing board, which establishes policy, and staff, who works directly with budgets and programs.
  • Keep in mind the needs of the community when reviewing agency services and the program budget requests.
  • Screen out personal biases in order to make objective judgments based on meeting community needs.
  • Determine the benefits the program provides to address community issues.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers should be willing to look at programs from a community perspective, to share their viewpoint with committee members, and be able to review agency applications and materials in a fair and unbiased manner. Volunteers should be committed to meeting community needs by effectively allocating funds to agencies.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Persons associated with an agency receiving or seeking United Way funding that is assigned to their panel should immediately disclose this to staff or the panel chair. United Way will attempt to place volunteers on a committee with which they do not have a conflict of interest.

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

Volunteers will learn about human service programs, community needs and how United Way contributions are meeting these needs. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to meet, work with and get to know other concerned community leaders, volunteers and service providers. This process is designed to help volunteers gain experience in community and group decision-making processes.

 

For questions or additional information please email Emily@uwwa.org or call 205.345.6640.

 

United Way's Day of Action

United Way of West Alabama's Day of Action connects volunteers (individual or teams) with much-needed projects for local nonprofits and schools. Most projects are 9am-Noon. A thank you lunch follows for all volunteers in Capitol Park. A signature event t-shirt is provided to each volunteer. The day UNITES people in our community that are passionate about giving back! Stay tuned for our 2025 date!