Sandra Rupp, CEO of United Way of Washtenaw, to retire
The United Way of Washtenaw County’s President and CEO, Sandra R. Rupp, is stepping down after more than six years to spend time with her family, the organization said in a release.
Rupp will remain with the organization through late summer to help the organization transition to a new leader, the local chapter said.
Sandra Rupp
Rupp oversaw the local chapter as it implemented its 2006 strategic plan to coordinate funding for community impact, outreach to western Washtenaw County, locate alternative sources of revenue and find new ways to increase contributions. She also presided over a difficult period that saw the closure of Pfizer, a major corporate donor, and a local economy that struggled from the effects of the recession in the automotive industry and the 2008 financial crisis.
The United Way of Washtenaw County had $6.5 million in annual revenue and net assets of more than $6 million for its most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. That compares to nearly $3.6 million in total revenues and $5.67 million in net assets at the end of fiscal 2010.
"She helped keep United Way financially sound during the harshness of the past economic years and brought innovation to our funding model," Kristen Holt, president of the local chapter’s board, said in a statement.
The organization has formed a search committee to find a successor.
Rupp, a native of Scottsbluff, Neb. said she plans to move closer to her family but plans to return for major events, “not excluding a big football game to be played annually between MI and NE.”
Comments
Lisa Dengiz
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
Sandra has done a wonderful job in her vital position! Thanks for making UW much stronger and well respected and for building a more caring, compassionate community in the process. Enjoy your well deserved retirement! With respect and gratitude, Lisa and Alan Dengiz
tom swift jr.
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.
The conversations here on ann arbor dot com are appalling. Full of misinformation and hate. The United Way has never dictated how any company runs an in-house campaign, it's up to each corporation or business to determine how that works. If you worked for a company that pressured you, rest assured that it was the company looking to put a feather in it's hat, it wasn't the doing of the United Way. I coordinated the UW campaign for years at our small business, there was no pressure, and employees were welcome to participate or not, they could also indicate that their donation go to any non-profit in the area, using the UW just made it easier to make a regular donation. The UW's use of donated dollars is excellent, the admin overhead is VERY low compared to many charities, most of the funds they raise go back out to support efforts in your community that your governments have abandoned. Sandra has done an excellent job, that that comes from someone who had doubts when she first started. Folks, before you throw the hate and knee jerk response, gather a few facts and include those with your comments... (the most recent annual report is located at http://www.uwwashtenaw.org/CUSTOMERFILES/reportfiles/20092010annualreportop.pdf that is if there ARE any facts to support the nay-saying. Lastly, this article wasn't about the United Way, it was about an individual who spent a number of years working for your community, why dump your politics and negative comments on her?
JRW
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
I agree with the posters who mentioned the coercive tactics of the United Way. I never gave them a dime. I prefer to choose who to donate to, how much and when. I don't need my arm twisted. I recall one employer I worked for who had an internal coordinator for the United Way who would post a list publicly in the break room area of all employees who had not contributed. Then the harassing emails would start. No thanks. Strong arm tactics do not work for supposedly "voluntary" contributions. Their administrative costs are excessive.
annarboral
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
I stopped giving to United Way when I discovered how much overhead for their highly paid staff took away from my donations. There was a time when United Way was substantially all volunteers with a strong local interest. Now it's group of professional fund raisers and coerced donations at major corporations.
SalineSara
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 10:41 a.m.
The United Way Washtenaw (UWW) is the UAW of charities bloated with a self serving bureaucracy. I'll donate to Purple Heart and my local church.
Townie
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.
My memories of companies where United Way dictated things was being beaten into submission to donate a stated amount whether I wanted to or not (and if you didn't you'd end up the chairperons the next year and your performance would be part of your job review!). No thanks - I'm smart enough to know who I should and shouldn't donate to. Bob Aramony -- google him and learn more about UW.
ViSHa
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 2:24 a.m.
Yes, I remember it was "frowned upon" to not have the monthly United Way donation deducted from the paycheck.
Kk Ichikawa
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
What was her salary? What is she walking away with in terms of a pension? Oh that's right, she was private sector and AA.com only likes to challenge public sector employees. When Chief Jones retired, per City terms, there was all kinds of criticism regarding the pension he earned from the City.
Angry Moderate
Tue, May 29, 2012 : 5:51 a.m.
Yeah, AA.com should check the public records of how much taxpayer money private sector employees get when they retire.
u812
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.
that makes no sense
Mikey
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
she's not paid with my tax payer dollars ... so it isn't important to know what she earns or walks away from....
USRepublic
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
I'll never give them another penny no matter who is in charge..... Once they became a liberal political operative organization they lost my support.... On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight