Historical Perspectives: 35 Years of Newsletter Headlines Trace Alumni and Retiree Interests
From its beginning 35 years ago, the United Way Retirees Association (UWRA), now United Way NEXT, has used regular newsletters to communicate, learn, and enjoy keeping in touch with the United Way and one another. Far more than information, it describes the evolution of member interests in meeting their own needs and those of United Way colleagues. Just like chapter titles in a good book of history, these headlines, beginning with the first newsletter published 35 years ago, outline the rich history of a movement with nearly 140-year-old roots in the culture of philanthropy.
The first UWRA newsletter carried co-founder Chuck Devine’s announcement that the Association had been formed to “Promote the well-being, friendship, and quality of life of United Way Retirees through communication, information, and opportunities for members to continue to contribute their skills.” It was “snail-mailed” to the nearly 2,500 recipients of United Way of America’s weekly “Executive Newsletter.”
A copy of page 1 from the very first UWRA Newsletter (1990)
It worked!
Today, we look back on 35 years of active and ever-expanding opportunities for United Way retirees and alumni to keep in touch and stay involved. Its stages of development can be traced in the titles and themes of over 120 editions. . .some monthly, others quarterly. . . all committed to serving our community members with:
“Who, What, When, and Where” information about one another’s lives after full-time United Way work. [almost every issue]
Opportunities for sharing old and learning new information about topics ranging from “Planning for Retirement” [1991] to “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.” [2025]
Useful information about training and opportunities to serve as mentors. [almost once a year since 1991]
Helpful hints for gardeners, cooks, and golfers, plus corny jokes, funny cartoons and other such “filler” that was necessary when 8-page hard-copy editions were the norm. [1996-2016]
Nearly 100 “Historical Perspectives” columns and articles about the impact of the United Way movement from the beginning of collaborative community planning [Boston-1876] and federated fund-raising [Denver-1887].
More than a publication, however, the newsletter stands as a journal that traces the growth and development of an association of people who want to maintain their connection with the purposes for which UWRA had been founded. Thirty-five years of article headlines and topics trace our organization’s transformation from its primary emphasis on “the well-being and friendship of retirees” to “information and opportunities for both retirees and alumni to continue to contribute their skills” to the United Way movement.
All of this, and regular correspondence from members, United Way Worldwide leaders, Board Chairs, and the association’s staff leaders has led to…Over 100 editions. Hundreds of contributors. Thousands of readers. Just one more reason to celebrate our 35th anniversary.
The evolution of UWRA & UW NEXT’s printed newsletters from 1990-2022.
Co-founder Gordon Berg awarded great credit for UWRA’s survival and relevance to its professional staff leaders. He often pointed out to his fellow members that, without the hard work and leadership of our staff leaders, the skills and talents of United Way retirees and alumni would be lost – and that would be a significant loss, considering all of the work to which they had committed so much of their lives.
What did/do these leaders have to say about 35 years of UWRA/United Way NEXT history? Their reports, encouragement, recognitions, and memories are coming up in the NEXT edition of “Historical Perspectives!”
Enjoying our Historical Perspectives series, catch up on past articles here!
About the Authors
Dick Aft, UW NEXT Emeritus Board Member
Following a 40-year United Way career during which Dick raised over a billion dollars to support local non-profit human services, he earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership & Development. Since then, he has served as an interim United Way CEO and mentor, and he has tried to use the things he has experienced and learned.
These include coaching new presidents of colleges and universities as sole proprietor of Philanthropic Leadership. Serving as a volunteer board officer of a score of organizations, currently: the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati College Conservatory, Hoxworth Blood Center, the American National Classical Music Hall of Fame, and as Past Chairman and an emeritus board member of United Way NEXT. Teaching Values-Based Management [ethics] to Xavier University MBA students for 10 years. Spending 10 years “Of Counsel” with Gilman Partners Executive Search specializing in filling non-profit CEO positions. Serving as a historian for the 130-year-old United Way movement. [Four books, 25 webinars, and over 70 articles published to date.] Voluntarily helping Greater Cincinnati non-profit organizations strategically identify and recruit board members.
Dick’s wife Mary Lu has made dozens of foundation-funded trips abroad to coach government, business, and volunteer leaders on the establishment and oversight of health and social service organizations. Many of these trips have been as representatives of the former United Way International. Two of their three sons and one daughter-in-law are former United Way CEOs. Together, they have been United Way execs for over 100 years.
Read additional articles by Dick here.
Teresa Hall Bartels, Former United Way International President
Teresa Hall Bartels is the founder and principal of Hallbart Consulting, L.L.C., focused on leadership, team effectiveness and strategy for commercial businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She is passionate about servant leadership and helping individuals and teams to become high-performing, high-integrity leaders.
Currently Bartels serves as a Master Chair for a Vistage CEO Peer Group, an Advancing Leaders group, and three Vistage groups inside client companies. She has served as Interim CEO four times during her career, most recently as Interim President, Newman University, where she also served on the Board of Trustees for nine years. Bartels was the founding chair of the board for the University Center of Lake County, IL, a consortium of 18 colleges and universities offering degree completion and graduate level courses.
Bartels began her career in fundraising with United Way of America. She and her husband, Chuck, owned and operated two Manpower franchises in Northern Minnesota and Northern Illinois. Subsequently, she was President and CEO for United Way International and then Gateway for Cancer Research.
Read additional articles by Teresa here.