How to thrive – and make a difference! – as a United Way SCA

How to thrive – and make a difference! – as a United Way SCA

You’ve heard the saying “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” right? Well, according to Payworks Small Business Service Support Lead Laura Stephens, United Way is one of the best examples of that idea brought to life!

And she would know – she recently spent this past autumn as this year’s United Way Winnipeg Sponsored Campaign Associate (SCA), a program Payworks has been proud to support for over a decade. This leadership development program “brings together employees, on loan from employers, to United Way Winnipeg’s office for 14 weeks to… learn about our city’s challenges and the role we all play in building a healthier city for everyone.”

So how does United Way Winnipeg turn individual engagement into something bigger and better?

“It’s all about building community,” says Laura. “Beyond supporting over 125 agency partners, United Way also brings this network together so they can connect with each other. Just recently, I sat in on an education session where they hosted leaders from different agencies. Agency A talks about what they’re doing; Agency B hears about it and figures out how they can get involved or borrow a successful idea for what they’re doing.”

“And the same thing happens with workplaces like Payworks,” she continues. “SCAs like me go into different organizations across the city, gather ideas for our own workplace campaigns, share stories, and make connections – and while assisting these organizations in their efforts to build support for United Way.”

Photo: Sponsored Campaign Associates (SCAs) starting the day bright and early at a Birchwood Automotive Group United Way Workplace Campaign breakfast.

The SCA experience

Laura submitted her name for consideration as this year’s SCA because of how rewarding she’s found volunteering through Payworks in the past. “We get our two Pay it Forward (PIF) Days every year; well, this is like 14 weeks straight of PIF Days!” she laughs.

Laura describes the transition into the SCA role as very smooth – and very fast. After a comprehensive week of training (including meeting with United Way Winnipeg agency partners to get a first-hand understanding of impact), she found herself jumping in with both feet.

Photo: Laura and her new SCA friends scorekeeping at a three-on-three

basketball tournament in support of United Way Winnipeg.

And what that looked like was never the same from day to day.

“Every day is a different to-do list; it’s different locations and different people – and that’s part of what makes it so exciting!” Laura shares. “You’re helping to host United Way campaign events at different workplaces, you’re organizing speakers… I was helping out at a dunk tank one day and picking up donations for Main Street Project the next day. I’ve never fit so many boxes in my car!”

Photo: Laura’s car packed to the roof with donations for Villa Rosa.

The workplace events were one of her favourite parts of the experience – she recalls a “very heated and competitive” paper airplane competition as one of the highlights, and confirms that her pancake-making skills have improved from helping out at various campaign breakfasts – but even moreso was the opportunity to work with her fellow SCAs.

“This was such a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and make a difference together,” says Laura. “They’re such an incredible group of people – motivated, passionate – and they’re inspiring, because they really care and it shows in everything they do.”

Photo: Happy SCAs during their first week of training.

Broader perspective, greater confidence

Laura would be the first to describe her understanding of United Way Winnipeg as “surface-level” before starting her SCA term, but is grateful for the opportunity to have learned first-hand what’s happening in the community… and how United Way Winnipeg is there to help.

“One of the things that impressed me most was seeing how engaged United Way Winnipeg is in figuring out what’s going on out there and what’s needed,” Laura explains.“They’re not just making assumptions that because something was one way five years ago that it’s the same today; they’re figuring out how we can support areas of immediate concern and make sure funding is going to the right places to address those issues. It’s really so much more than just the fundraising itself.

Photo: Laura and her fellow SCAs answering questions about 211 at Wawanesa Insurance’s United Way Agency Showcase event. 

Laura was also pleased to have learned how many “hidden gem” community organizations exist all throughout the city, and what additional supports exist through United Way itself (such as the 211 helpline “for anyone looking for community and social resources close to home”).

And it’s a good thing they’re there – because as Laura witnessed, the need is stronger than ever.

“I’ll be honest: it’s been a reality check to see first-hand the challenges facing our neighbours in this city – the substance use, the homelessness,” Laura reflects. “There were overdoses outside the United Way Winnipeg building almost every week. I understood what was happening, but I don’t think I knew how much it would impact me to see it every day.”

But with this perspective also came a renewed optimism about what’s possible.

“Serving as a SCA gave me the chance to speak to people from organizations all over the city, and if there’s one thing they have in common, it’s that everyone wants to help,” says Laura. “No one’s closing their eyes to reality; it’s always ‘How do we make this better? How do we help?’ There’s so much good out there and there are so many people who bring hope.”

Along with that bolstered sense of hope and purpose, Laura experienced another benefit to the SCA experience: more confidence in herself – as a public speaker, a leader, and a support to her own team back at Payworks.

“You’re kind of thrown into it,” Laura laughs. “And because of that, I feel more comfortable walking into a room, feeling like I belong at the table, and knowing that I can speak up more effectively and encourage that in others. I’ve also sharpened up my project management and event planning skills just out of necessity!”

Photo: Laura returning to Payworks HQ to address the team at our own United Way Workplace Campaign kickoff.

Top tips for success as a SCA

Does the SCA experience sound right for you? If so, here are three pieces of advice straight from Laura herself:

1. Say yes. “Be open to everything, even though there will absolutely be moments where you’re like ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’ It’s OK! You’ll be supported. Whether it’s an invite from a workplace or another SCA asking you to help stuff 5,000 envelopes in time for an event, just say yes.”

2. Take notes along the way. “Because every day is so different and exciting, the whole thing goes by in an absolute blur. Journal the experience so that you can look back on it – it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

3. Keep a change of clothes and a snack in the car. “Let me tell you: there’ll be days when you’re scheduled for four different events in one day and you spill a coffee down the front of your shirt. Don’t ask me how I know that. So definitely have an outfit swap available. And set yourself up to eat while on the go!”

Looking to be part of a team where “doing right by people” is our purpose? Explore careers with Payworks here: https://www.payworks.ca/about-us/careers.