United Way delivers a winning presentation and announces its Fall 2009 Campaign result

I had the privilege of working with the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut this past summer, training their “loaned executives” and agency speakers on how to give high engagement presentations that move audiences to action. These motivated individuals would go on to make countless presentations to the many organizations, companies, labor unions, government groups, hospitals, etc., that were participating in the United Way 2009 “Live United” fall campaign here in Connecticut.

Today was their campaign celebration luncheon, where they announced how much they had raised through the generous support of thousands of people working at companies across the region. The celebration took place at the Pratt & Whitney Hanger – a very inspiring spot of history, innovation and high ceilings. For all intensive purposes, this was a “thank you” event, where the United Way wanted to recognize the many people who had made it all possible.

These types of awards and recognition banquets can be hard on the audience – tons of clapping for people you don’t know, sitting in uncomfortable chairs for long stretches at a time, eating high fat foods. You know what I’m talking about.

The United Way team WOW’d their audience with an unexpected skit that definitely proved to be “high engagement.”

Rather than announcing their fall campaign total $$$ results with a drum roll or some other common reveal method, they put on their own version of the DEAL-NO DEAL game show.

Rather than the short-skirted babes on the TV show, The United Way took the  high road and involved their twelve loaned executives, each holding a silver brief cases (very official looking!).  They had two contestants, the unseen “bank manager” and a very charismatic master of ceremonies. The sound effects were fantastic: the telephone rang, the music was exciting, the props were engaging and their PowerPoint graphics were clean and supportive.

The audience was fully engaged and having a great deal of fun with the blue/white plastic “clapper hands” and raucous shot outs. In the end, we all learned that the United Way fall campaign resulted in a pledge amount of $ 25,784,118. This is an amazing result given the economic conditions facing our community and nation. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of people to help others and the fact that no matter how difficult things are for us , everybody has something to give.

Congratulations to the United Way, its staff, volunteers, community leaders and fans who believe in the value of making our community and world a better place for all!

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