Wessel hits 100 percent participation in United Way

By SHAWN PIATEK
The Tribune-Democrat

November 12, 2008 08:55 am

— An old adage goes that teaching a man to fish goes a lot further than serving him a seafood dinner.
Doing both, though, addresses both short- and long-term needs. That’s the approach Wessel and Co. has taken this year in assisting the United Way of the Laurel Highlands to reach its goals.
As has become commonplace, all of Wessel’s employees are giving to United Way during its current annual campaign.
Bob Eyer, managing partner at Wessel, said his company has had a 100 percent giving rate for more than 10 years.
“United Way fulfills part of our company’s core values,” Eyer said. “Where we live and work, we want to give back to the community. It adds to the quality of life for everybody in the community and we want to be part of that.”
Donating money is only a small part of the way Wessel is helping United Way and the 25 service agencies it supports to fulfill their missions.
Beginning shortly after the current annual campaign ends, Wessel will be sharing its knowledge to help create a better and more informed nonprofit community.
The downtown Johnstown accounting and business consulting firm is already working with United Way to set up seminars on topics such as strategic planning and board of directors development to educate the member charities.
A seminar on changes coming next year to the 990 form - the tax return filed by nonprofits - is already scheduled.
“We feel that it’s so critical for not-for-profits to build organizational strength and to continuously develop their boards and organizational structures so they can effectively carry out their mission in the most cost effective manner,” Eyer said.
“If they’re doing that, they’ll need less money from United Way or they’ll be able to expand their missions at the same revenue level.”