Coercion
Orange County's United Way believes that the most responsive contributors are those who have the opportunity to become informed and involved voluntarily.
Experience clearly shows that fund raising success depends on how much potential donors know and understand about the organization seeking their support. Fund raising should always be conducted in a voluntary manner. Coercion creates animosity, hinders communication and contradicts the real purpose and spirit of voluntary giving.
Orange County's United Way policy follows these guidelines:
1. Giving is a personal matter and a personal decision; whether a person wishes to give and how much they choose is up to the individual.
2. Pressure to give in the name of voluntarism is not only wrong, it is unnecessary and a poor substitute for effective campaigning.
3. The exertion of pressure violates the concept of voluntary giving.
4. Pressure to give hurts both the potential contributor and the cause.
5. No form of coercion is acceptable, particularly that which includes any stated or implied effect on personal employment status.
This policy is communicated to all volunteers and organizations conducting United Way campaigns. In addition, all training, communications and educational efforts support the policy.
