Needs From: United Way of the Lakeshore

Join the Newaygo County Community Committee

Help shape the future of our community—right here at home.

Do you care deeply about Newaygo County and want to play a hands-on role in strengthening our community? United Way of the Lakeshore is looking for passionate, thoughtful, and community-minded volunteers to serve on our Newaygo County Community Committee.

This isn’t a “sit back and listen” committee—it’s a roll-up-your-sleeves, share-your-voice, help-guide-the-work kind of role.

What You’ll Do

As a committee member, you’ll help guide the local direction of United Way’s work in Newaygo County by:

Bringing thought leadership and local insight to the table Helping set community goals, priorities, and strategies Reviewing and recommending programs and investments that support local needs Serving as a trusted steward of donor and community resources Advocating for solutions related to education, financial stability, and health Strengthening connections between United Way and other community leaders Supporting ethical leadership and accountability at the local level How You’ll Be Involved Attend regular committee meetings Serve on at least one work group (Volunteer Engagement, Impact Investments, Fundraising & Marketing, or Operations) Help evaluate impact and outcomes in Newaygo County Play a role—big or small—in fundraising and resource development Invest in the mission through your time, voice, and (when possible) financial support When & Where We Meet

Second Thursday of each month 8:00–9:00 AM

Gerber Federal Credit Union Headquarters

Virtual attendance options available

Who We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be an expert—just someone who:

Cares about Newaygo County Brings curiosity, integrity, and collaboration Is willing to show up, speak up, and help move work forward

Where labor leadership meets community impact.
The Labor Participation Committee brings together labor leaders and community partners to strengthen the connection between organized labor and United Way.

What they do

The Labor Participation Committee (LPC) helps build meaningful partnerships between organized labor and United Way of the Lakeshore. Members serve as ambassadors for the mission, supporting workplace engagement and helping ensure resources reach working families across the community.

What you’ll do
Support and promote workplace campaigns within labor organizationsServe as an ambassador for United Way within the labor communityHelp connect workers and families to available resources and supportsCollaborate with partners to strengthen labor-community relationshipsParticipate in planning and follow-up efforts for key events and initiatives

Subcommittee opportunities include:

Letter Carriers Food DriveLabor Rings the BellWild Game DinnerLabor Day ParadeWho this is great for
Labor leaders, union members, and labor advocatesIndividuals passionate about supporting working familiesPeople who enjoy community events and hands-on involvementThose who want to strengthen partnerships across sectorsCommitment level

Monthly meetings
Additional opportunities to engage through subcommittees and events
Meeting details
Second Tuesday of each month

Interested in joining?
Contact Jana Routt at jana@unitedwaylakeshore.org to learn more or get involved.

Please note: Submitting your interest does not confirm membership. A United Way team member will follow up with additional details about the committee, expectations, and next steps for joining.

Connecting the people who connect our community.
The Case Managers Network brings together professionals across sectors to share resources, strengthen relationships, and better support individuals and families in our community.

What they do

The Case Managers Network is a collaborative group of professionals from community-based organizations, healthcare, government, education, and other human service sectors. The network focuses on sharing information, highlighting available resources, and staying connected to emerging community needs.

What you’ll doShare resources, programs, and updates from your organizationParticipate in discussions about community needs and trendsLearn about services, events, and supports available across the regionBuild relationships with other professionals in human services and care coordinationAttend and engage in presentations from community partnersWho this is great forCase managers, social workers, and care coordinatorsProfessionals in healthcare, education, or human servicesIndividuals who regularly connect people to resourcesAnyone who values collaboration and staying informedCommitment level

Monthly meetings (1 hour)
Open, flexible participation
Meeting details
Fourth Thursday of each month
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Virtual

Interested in joining?
Contact Jana Routt at jana@unitedwaylakeshore.org to learn more or get connected.

Please note: Submitting your interest does not confirm membership. A United Way team member will follow up with additional details about the committee, expectations, and next steps for joining.

Community Impact Strategy Team

Where community voices turn into action.
The Community Impact Strategy Team helps ensure that what we hear from the community is reflected in how United Way invests in solutions that matter most.

What they do

This team connects community needs, local data, and strategic priorities to United Way’s investment process. By listening to community input and reviewing trends, members help guide decisions that shape long-term impact across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.

The Community Impact Strategy Team brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to provide vision, oversight, and insight — ensuring our work stays grounded in real community conditions while identifying opportunities to collaborate and grow.

What you’ll doHelp guide the community investment processRecommend collaborative opportunities across organizations and sectorsConnect community-level goals to funding decisionsReview and interpret community and national dataIdentify and prioritize emerging and unmet community needsReview and vet current and prospective funded partnersWho this is great forIndividuals who enjoy big-picture thinking and strategyPeople interested in data, trends, and community outcomesCommunity members passionate about long-term, systems-level impactThose who value collaboration and informed decision-makingCommitment level

Three-year term
Monthly meetings (1.5 hours each)

Meeting details

First Wednesday of each month
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Hybrid Options Available
United Way of the Lakeshore Building
31 East Clay Ave., Muskegon MI

Interested in joining?

Contact Wyneice Hairston, Community Impact Director, at wyneice@unitedwaylakeshore.org
to learn more or express interest.

Next step:
Submitting your interest does not confirm membership. A team member will follow up with additional details about the committee, expectations, and next steps for joining.

Building Committee

Keeping the spaces that serve our community strong, safe, and ready for impact.

This committee helps ensure that the physical spaces supporting United Way’s work are well-maintained, functional, and positioned for future growth.

What they do

The Human Services Center / Building Committee oversees the care, maintenance, and long-term planning of properties owned or leased by United Way of the Lakeshore. This includes supporting facility improvements, reviewing space needs, and helping guide decisions related to property use and potential expansion.

What you’ll doProvide oversight of building maintenance, repairs, and improvementsSupport planning for property needs and future space opportunitiesReview and provide input on lease agreements (as landlord or tenant)Assist in evaluating potential property acquisitions or rentalsHelp develop and recommend an annual facilities-related budget to the Finance CommitteeWho this is great forIndividuals with experience or interest in facilities, property management, or constructionPeople who enjoy problem-solving and long-term planningCommunity members who want to support the infrastructure behind community impactCommitment level

Meets approximately 2 times per year, as needed

Meeting details

Scheduled as needed throughout the year

Interested in joining?

Contact Stephanie at stephanie@unitedwaylakeshore.org to learn more or get involved.
New committee members are welcome.

Next step:
Submitting your interest does not confirm membership. A team member will follow up with additional details about the committee, expectations, and next steps for joining.

Oceana County Community Committee

Care about Oceana County? So do we.
The Oceana County Community Committee brings together local leaders who want to help shape the future of their community. This group plays a key role in guiding United Way of the Lakeshore’s work by connecting local insight with action.

What they do

Committee members provide thought leadership and community expertise to help guide strategy, strengthen partnerships, and ensure United Way’s work reflects the needs and strengths of Oceana County. Members serve as ambassadors, advocates, and trusted stewards of the organization’s mission.

What you’ll doHelp shape local goals, priorities, and strategiesReview and evaluate programs serving Oceana CountyAssess community needs and identify emerging opportunitiesSupport accountability and impact across local initiativesAdvocate for solutions in education, financial stability, and healthContribute to fundraising efforts that support the missionServe on at least one work group:
(Volunteer Engagement, Impact Investments, Fundraising & Marketing, or Operations)Attend and actively participate in regular meetingsWho this is great forCommunity members passionate about Oceana CountyIndividuals who enjoy collaboration and big-picture thinkingThose interested in leadership, strategy, and community impactPeople who want to connect with other local leadersCommitment level

Regular meeting attendance

Participation in at least one work group

Ongoing engagement in committee initiatives

Meeting details

3rd Tuesday of Every OTHER Month
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hybrid Option Available
Health Department #10, 3986 N. Oceana Drive, Hart MI

Interested in joining?

Contact Barbara Sims, Oceana County Director at barbara@unitedwaylakeshore.org to learn more or attend a future meeting.

Next step:
Submitting your interest does not confirm membership. A team member will follow up with additional details about the committee, expectations, and next steps for joining.

Lead the charge. Build the relationships. Fuel the impact.
The Campaign Cabinet is a group of volunteer leaders who help drive United Way of the Lakeshore’s annual campaign by building relationships, engaging workplaces, and connecting our community to meaningful impact.

What they do

Campaign Cabinet members serve as ambassadors and relationship-builders, working alongside staff and community partners to grow support for United Way’s mission. This team helps shape campaign strategy, strengthen corporate partnerships, and expand engagement across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.

Rather than focusing only on logistics, Cabinet members play a key role in influencing, connecting, and leading — helping bring new partners to the table while strengthening existing relationships.

What you’ll doBuild and strengthen relationships with local businesses and community leadersSupport and grow workplace campaigns within assigned or self-identified accountsEngage company leadership to secure participation, sponsorship, or givingServe as an ambassador for United Way at events and in the communityHelp identify new businesses or partners for outreach and growthCollaborate with staff to support campaign strategy and meet fundraising goalsRecruit and support additional campaign volunteers when appropriateParticipate in campaign meetings, events, and key moments

Typical engagement may include outreach emails, meetings with business leaders, event invitations, and connecting partners to volunteer or impact opportunities

Who this is great forBusiness and community leadersProfessionals with strong networks and relationship-building skillsIndividuals comfortable engaging with executive leadershipPeople passionate about community impact and local solutionsThose who enjoy connecting people, ideas, and opportunitiesCommitment level

Seasonal (with highest engagement during campaign months)

Participation in campaign meetings and event

Ongoing relationship engagement throughout the campaign

What to expectSupport and partnership from United Way staffTools, materials, and talking points to guide outreachFlexible engagement based on your network and strengthsOpportunities to grow into deeper leadership rolesInterested in joining?

Contact Jana Routt, Sr. Director of Workplace Campaign, at jana@unitedwaylakeshore.org, to learn more or express interest.

Next step:
Submitting your interest does not confirm membership. A team member will follow up with additional details about expectations, timeline, and how you can get involved.