How to Start an Employee Campaign

  1. Determine the best person to act as your Employee Campaign Chairperson - the key person who will organize the campaign, set goals, etc. (see job description). If there is a Union, consider Co-Chairs, one representing unionized and the other non-unionized employees.
  2. Support the training and orientation of these volunteers by allowing them time to attend a United Way Orientation and Training Session. These are half day sessions available August and September.
  3. Encourage volunteer ECC to assemble a committee to help her or him. Possible members include:
    1. Canvasser team (Most IMPORTANT — ideally 1:10 ratio of volunteer to staff) representing areas of the workplace (ie. by floor; by department; by work pod, etc)
    2. Labour Rep and Management Rep
    3. Communication Rep
    4. Leadership Rep
    5. Finance Rep
    6. Special Event Rep (if appropriate)
  4. Ensure payroll and human resources is aware of campaign and that employees may be making deductions off their payroll (see Payroll Deductions Information Sheet). Payroll should be speaking to ECC about deadlines for making payroll contributions (ie. cutoff date for information to ensure deductions begin in January of the following year).
  5. Meet with ECC (& team) as goals are determined to ensure the plan works with the company's needs and goals.
  6. Support the workplace campaign by allowing for a budget, time for volunteers to canvass, offering incentive prizes, allowing time for presentations (ie. at Staff meeting - 15 minutes).

    If Campaign Team determines Special Events are required, be clear as to the limitations and concerns with ECC prior to the campaign.
  7. Actively encourage campaign by being a donor, appearing at events, and celebrating successes.
  8. Consider a post-campaign Thank-you for volunteers. United Way would be pleased to assist you with this.