United way and extend ED join forces

Partnership to create new certificate program at U of M

MICHAEL OLSON STAFF

In the quest to build leaders and ambassadors, the United Way of Winnipeg and the department of extended education at the University of Manitoba are a new dynamic duo.

The recently established United Way of Winnipeg Leadership Development Certificate Program is a partnered non-degree credential certificate program between the department of extended education at the U of M and the United Way of Winnipeg.

The new 14-week program will build upon the current United Way of Winnipeg Sponsored Executive program, which has existed for the past 41 years. Each fall 45 sponsored executives, who have been trained through the program, go on to serve as ambassadors between the United Way and their future employers.

“The United Way of Winnipeg has run a training program for sponsored executives that work on the annual United Way drive . . . However the program had no accreditation,” said Kathleen Matheos, associate dean of extended education. “By working with the university it will be possible to draw upon this existing program, provide additional courses, and recognize the practicum in which the sponsored executives were involved.”

Plans for the new program were conceived in the summer of 2006 when the United Way of Winnipeg requested that the department of extended education be a partner in developing and delivering the certificate program. The motion to initiate this new program was approved by the university senate at its February meeting.

The implementation of the new program will also significantly expand the U of M department of extended education, adding 18 new courses to the division. These will be shorter, nondegree credit courses in areas including social activism and communication. Student assessment will include written reports, presentations, and group work. Students will be graded on a pass-fail basis.

The program comprises both classroom instruction as well as training in workplaces. In total, participants will receive 107 hours of classroom instruction. Also, they will receive 400.5 hours of practical work — the equivalent of 144 credit hours. Thus, participants in the program will receive 251 hours of instructional contact.

Throughout the program’s duration, students will receive classroom instruction in six key areas. First, students will receive 11 hours of instruction on public speaking and communication; 19 hours on learning how to construct a campaign; 10 hours of learning the fundamentals of fundraising; 24.5 hours of learning how to go about training individuals; 27.5 hours of examining relationship development; and 15 hours of learning a basic overview of sponsored executives’ roles.

“The program is really how the university is linking with the community, building on and enhancing an existing program, and providing as assessment model in order for accreditation,” said Matheos.

Financially, both the United Way and extended education are responsible for the development of the program. The United Way will cover instructional costs and student registration costs.

In order to confirm the academic need of the program, the United Way of Winnipeg did a sample survey of 17 past participants as well as eight human resource sponsors. The human resource sponsors responded that there would be value in adding certification to the program. Additionally, the past sponsored executives surveyed said it would be a good way of formally recognizing personal growth and development.

Past individuals who have participated in the Sponsored Executive program have reported emerging with such characteristics as greater selfconfidence, better leadership skills and increased professionalism.

The United Way of Winnipeg is one of 124 United Way campaigns across Canada that uses volunteers to assist in campaigns of community improvement.