News / Updates
June 24, 2003
Group flips for philanthropy
United Way women's initiative sets priorities
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| More than 150 women gathered for Monday's
organizational meeting of Female Leaders in Philanthropy. Bob Linder / News-Leader 
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| Mary Kay Meek (from left), Roseann Bentley
and Sally Hargis talk Monday at the organizational meeting
of Female Leaders in Philanthropy. Bob Linder / News-Leader
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| Horton
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| Bentley
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To learn more |
| For more information about Female Leadership in Philanthropy, the women's initiative of the United Way of the Ozarks, call 863-7700. |
By Linda Leicht
News-Leader
Forget networking; the women who attended Monday's organizational meeting of Female Leaders in Philanthropy got right down to business.FLIP, the women's initiative of the United Way of the Ozarks, invited women from throughout the region to a luncheon where they were asked to set priorities and direction for the new effort.
"This kind of event is a good approach to getting women more involved in giving," said Jan Horton, executive director of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, an organization that administers a collection of charitable funds.
Women, she said, play an important role in philanthropy.
"When it comes to donor-advised funds, the women are at the table with the same kind of vote that the men are," she said. "Women want to ... get involved."
The more than 150 women who attended the luncheon at Highland Springs Country Club arrived — most from their offices at businesses and organizations around the Springfield area — ready to roll up their sleeves.
Roseann Bentley, former state senator and co-chairwoman of the United Way's Women's Initiative, welcomed the group as they ate from their ribbon-wrapped box lunches. But the homegrown flowers and antique teapots that decorated the tables belied the serious business at hand.
Bentley encouraged the women to begin to think of themselves as philanthropists — defined as anyone who has a "desire to help mankind — or womankind."
"We are women who want to make a difference," Bentley said.
Sally Hargis, director and media consultant with Ozarks Coca Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. and the co-chair with Bentley, told the women of influence that women traditionally give a higher percentage of their salaries to charity than men and also volunteer more of their time.
Women also approach philanthropy differently, she said. They want "the six c's" — change, creativity, connection, commitment, collaboration and celebration.
She asked the women to bring that unique perspective to "help guide what FLIP becomes in the future."
Brandy McShane, a Springfield attorney who often works on behalf of abused and neglected children, brought that request as a personal appeal.
McShane, her voice sometimes shaking with emotion, told the women of her own experience with two United Way agencies — the Child Advocacy Center and the Victim Center. McShane's two young children were the victims of a crime, and the two agencies provided services for them and the family.
"If you have contributed to the United Way, you helped me, my kids and my husband," she said. "You never know when someone you know will need the services (of a United Way agency.)"
The 16 round tables of 10 women each then began their own discussions. They were asked to rank four identified issues — at-risk children, domestic violence, substance abuse and women's health. The majority of the reports from the tables placed at-risk children at the top, but most insisted the needs are related.
For many of the groups, the discussions turned into ideas the women had already began developing. Setting up a clearinghouse of information about services available in the area, collaboration between agencies to pool scarce resources, mentoring programs and community partnerships were a few of those ideas.
"It was exactly what I wanted," said Ann Dare, United Way vice president of resource development, who eavesdropped at each of the tables. "There were some great conversations."
Bentley shared that reaction. Dropping down into a chair after everyone left, she smiled.
"I could feel the energy."