HomeMy WebLinkAboutDrctn - 2014 United Way and Other Emplyee EventsCITY OF PALM DESERT
HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Provide direction to staff for the operation of the 2014 United Way
Campaign and other employee charitable giving events.
SUBMITTED BY: Lori Carney, Human Resources Manager
DATE: January 9, 2013
CONTENTS: Staff Report
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion: Direct staff to:
a. Make no changes to the current procedures for the United Way
Campaign, allowing employee payroll deduction. Allow
employees to conduct charitable fundraising events during
lunches and breaks.
b. Allow employees to raise funds for United Way and other
charities during lunches and breaks — but do not allow payroll
deduction or the use of City accounts for transfer of funds.
c. Set up a "charity fair" wherein several large, well known
charitable organizations (i.e., United Way, FIND, American
Cancer Society, etc.) set up booths and are allowed to solicit
donations from employees during a lunch period.
Executive Summary:
Last year Council directed staff to review the practice of allowing employees to donate
to the United Way through payroll deduction. Staff surveyed employees and analyzed
how many currently participate in the payroll deduction feature.
Palm Desert staff are remarkably generous with their time, talent and money and over
the years have raised money and donated time as individuals and groups to a wide
range of charitable organizations. The United Way campaign has been a regular part of
that charitable giving for over 25 years. While the survey results were mixed, with
employees voting on both sides of the issue, staff believes that a significant number of
Staff Report
United Way Campaign Contributions
Page2of2
employees are supportive of the campaign. This is evidenced by the fact that of 116,
27 employees participated in the last campaign. Over the last several years, the
campaign has been toned down and there is no "big push" for employees to give. The
contribution forms are made available and each employee makes a personal decision
whether giving in this way works for them.
One aspect of the campaign that is beneficial to the City is the camaraderie and moral
boost employees get from the campaign events. For example, there have been lunch
time chili cook -offs, bake sales and silent auctions of donated items. These small
events give employees a chance to spend some positive time together which improves
interdepartmental relationships.
Staff recommends Option A — continuing the practice as has been done in prior years,
with minimal paid staff involvement.
Fiscal Analysis:
The fiscal impact of staff time in administering payroll deductions is de minimus,
less than $500 annually.
Submitted by:
CITY COUNCILCTION
APPROVED
RECEIVED OTHER (' P ,&/o- l
MEET DATE )/ " /) ' 9 /V
Lori Carney, Human Resources Manag�AfES:.ficfn,fi , v /60/ f
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ABSENT: ,) it_
ABSTAIN: A TIf
VERIFIED BY:..,_: U7
aul S. Gibson, Director of Finance Original on File with City(9rk's Office
* Approved Option No. 1. 4-1 (NOES Weber)
Approval:
hn M. Wohlmuth, City Manager