A Call for Accountability and A Call for Compassion

United Way's board failed us, but focus on those in need.

Posted: Friday, Oct. 03, 2008 in The Charlotte Observer

From Mecklenburg Ministries:

If the prophets of old were alive, they would certainly speak out at those responsible for the failures of United Way's board to live up to its own mandate of exhibiting “high standards of excellence, stewardship and accountability,” and, therefore, breaking the trust that the public placed in them. These prophets, such as Amos, would articulate the irony of it all.

The agency established to respond to economic disparities with social, educational, and health programs for the poor, instead:

Has provided a compensation package for its chief executive that seems outside the appropriate bounds;

Has failed to take full responsibility for its decision, been less than transparent in its communications, and, in the process, has detracted from the needs of those it is intended to serve.

While as interfaith spiritual leaders we appreciate the public apology of the leaders of United Way, we continue to call for complete accountability and urge the swift implementation of the recommendations that will be made by the Ad Hoc Governance Review Panel.

Just as the prophets ended their critiques with messages of compassion, so do we. Those who are followers of Jesus know that Jesus connects love of God to service to the “least of these.” The Prophet Mohammad said, “Have compassion on those who are on earth, so that the One in Heaven will have compassion on you.”

With soaring gas prices and a struggling economy, this year will be the most challenging our country has seen in a long time. There will be more unemployed. More hungry and homeless. More uninsured individuals in need of life-saving medication. The 91 agencies depending on United Way support cannot wait several months for the Review Panel's report.

As interfaith clergy and spiritual leaders of Mecklenburg Ministries Advisory Board, we are making a leadership gift to the United Way's Community Care Fund in the hope that our clergy colleagues, community leaders, and others will join us. The Community Care Fund, administered by 300 volunteers who evaluate each organization and prioritize needs, will help ensure that the neediest in our community will not be forgotten. This fund helps United Way agencies feed the hungry, give shelter to victims of domestic abuse, provide education and enrichment to those who are underprivileged, and offer support for seniors, the disabled, and those who struggle with emotional issues.

As spiritual leaders, we are concerned that this much-publicized controversy will reduce support at a critical time. We recognize that some may be motivated to withhold their United Way gifts. We recognize that others may choose to give directly to specific agencies. However, we are encouraging you to support the United Way Community Care Fund because it will be most equitable to all the agencies.

Please join us in helping our most vulnerable citizens at this difficult time.

For The Record offers commentaries from various sources. The views are the writer's, and not necessarily those of the Observer editorial board.

Mecklenburg Ministries is not a United Way agency.

Advisory board members include: Imam Khalil Akbar, Masjid Ash Shaheed; Monsignor Richard M. Bellow, St. Mark Catholic Church; Dr. Russ Dean, Park Road Baptist; Dr. Clifford Jones, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. Maria Hanlin, Mecklenburg Ministries; Reverend Jay Leach, Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte; Rabbi Judith Schindler, Temple Beth El; Dr. Steve Shoemaker, Myers Park Baptist Church.

To read the entire article go to: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/406/story/229051.html

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