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United Way merger with Oakville rejected... for now by Carmela Fragomeni Hamilton Spectator 15 | Friday, July 1, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton has rejected a merger with three other United Way groups in Halton. But CEO Jeff Vallentin says the plan, more than a year in the making, is not dead yet. Although 61 per cent of the board favoured a merger with the Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills United Ways, the vote lost because it required a two-thirds majority. "We need to keep at this," said Vallentin, of seeking innovative ways to become more efficient. "United Ways across North America are finding the value of coming together and building that critical mass," he said, adding that mergers are "definitely a trend in our environment -- in non-profits, in the private sector and in United Ways across North America." None of the combined agencies' 39 fulltime and 15 part-time staff would be cut -- jobs would change, but everyone was to be offered a position, Vallentin said. However, staff would have been deployed more strategically to better compete in "a fierce fundraising environment." Corporate supporters spanning several communities would have one process, and instead of one funded agency applying to all four United Ways, it could apply to just one. But money would be allocated to the community where it was raised. The United Way of Oakville (UWO) voted for the merger June 20. Milton's and Halton Hills' were to vote Tuesday (June 29), but cancelled after the Hamilton/Burlington defeat -- mainly over concerns on a merger negatively impacting efforts to boost local fundraising; on the new board composition; and on balancing a local focus with a regional agency. Board Director Anne Bermingham said the merger is still being pursued, despite no further votes planned or discussions underway. "By no means do we see it as over," she said. Fundraising for a number of charities at once, as United Ways do, remains a constant challenge. McMaster University business professor Marvin Ryder says, "People like one-stop giving, but the amount they (United Ways) can raise is flat." While social media sites like gofundme cut into its fundraising, Ryder said the real challenge is from other charitable institutions with more compelling and focused fundraising requests -- like McMaster Children's Hospital, for example, saying "Give us your money and we'll make children well" or the Heart Foundation saying, "We'll cure heart disease." "The United Way story is it's doing OK but not great, because it's an umbrella organization (funding 68 agencies) ... There's no, one, compelling issue." The solution is to serve fewer charities and with a sharper focus on the need -- like to fight poverty for example, Ryder said. "It's all about having a clear, sharp ask ... They need a shaper focus that resonates with the community." UWO CEO Brad Park called the merger defeat absolutely disappointing and believes the concern was that Halton may overshadow Hamilton because of its different community needs and socio-economic makeup. He added however, "I do not believe for a minute that amalgamation won't happen. All four CEOs are committed to figure out a way... we need to change some of the parameters to make it acceptable to Hamilton." The efficiencies of a merged venture are in redeploying staff, he added. "We already operate on a bare bones budget. We're already understaffed... (So) until you get that critical mass, we are not operating at optimal efficiencies. A bigger United Way can have lower overhead costs and make a bigger impact." Because family matters Oakview Funeral Home has been serving the Oakville community for over 30 years. We will assist your family in creating a highly personalized service to suit your taste and budget. 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