First Tuesday Leadership Profile; Richard Brothers, President, Cape and Islands United Way

The Cape and Islands United Way is the largest non-governmental supporter of social service programs in the region. Under the guidance and leadership of Richard Brothers and a superbly dedicated board of directors (of which I am a member) the Cape and Islands United Way continues to grow both donations and community impact.
I found some of Mr. Brothers’ time to answer a few questions about the organization and the work they do here on Cape Cod and the Islands.

1. Tell me about the Cape and Islands United Way, the work you do here on the Cape and Islands and the people you serve.
The Cape and Islands United Way is celebrating 50 Years of service to our community in 2009. Visionary Cape Codders 50 years ago saw the growing need to create a Human Service organization that would be proactive in serving to enhance the quality of life for all the persons of the Cape and Islands Region. For the past 50 years our locally managed and directed United Way has been in the business of convening the community as to the needs of our Local community and then engaging Leaders in our Community to direct and raise funds to respond to the critical and dynamic needs of this community.
2. What about healthcare specific giving in the region? Does the Cape and Islands United Way operate much in the healthcare sector?
Almost 100,000 times each year a person is served by a program funded by our local United Way; after school mentoring, family counseling, basic human needs and Health Care Programs are some of the examples of the programs and services we fund annually.
The Cape and Islands United Way is funding programs that provide respite for caregivers to Alzheimer's Services of the Cape and Islands, as well as funding Pediatric Oral Health programs, and Visiting Nurse programs, and Health care access programs for Martha's Vineyard residents. In the past we have provided funding for nutrition for our citizens of all ages.
3. What is the relationship between the Cape and Islands United Way and the United Way people see ads for on TV?
Our local Cape and Islands United Way is one of the 1,400 independent locally Directed United Ways in this country. Our United Way is governed by a local Board of Directors and Officers which are for all intents and purposes the "Owners" of the organization.
While the United Way of America, which provides advertising {those National Football League ads} and training support, it is a "National Trade Association and not the Headquarters of United Way. All, the dollars raised here ... Stay here!  The funding decisions are made here by Local Volunteers knowledgeable about our Community needs.
4. Tell me about the unique challenges the current economy presents for an organization like yours.
Our community faces some rather unique challenges in the current economy and during the good times as well. Unlike many communities, where there is a base of support that is a constant, as the needs are always quite visible, our community has a somewhat seasonal look and feel, and the needs are not quite so visible to the people who have the opportunity to help the most, Our Seasonal Residents.
We all know what a wonderful place we live in, however, our seasonal residents do not always see the needs and yet they enjoy the fruits of our labor force that serves them.
It is vital to engage these wonderful Seasonal residents and ask they be supportive as Volunteers and Donors to help provide for this wonderful infra structure of Human Services that allows our fellow year round residents to provide "World Class Hospitality” while their children and elders are cared for in a proper way.
5. What makes Cape Cod so special for you, personally and professionally?
I, like many folks, had the opportunity to discover Cape Cod as a young person {many years ago} and knew this was a place I dearly wanted to call my home. With that comes the responsibility I believe we all have to find a way to pay "Our Civic Rent".  I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity , now 11 years ago, to play a small role in encouraging others to find their own respective way to do just that .The persons I have met here are the most generous and engaged persons I have known in 25 years of working with United Ways in New England.
I would ask all that might read this to please visit www.uwcapecod.org to learn more about "Your" local Cape and Islands United Way.

Mr. Brothers, who has been leading the Cape and Islands United Way dutifully for over 11 years, is a true local legend…one of those rare people who consistently make their community a better place to live and work.
Know that when you donate to the Cape and Islands United Way you are investing in the entire Cape and Islands community, and Rich Brothers will be sure that your personal investment is overseen with the care and diligence it deserves.
I have served on the Board of Directors for the Cape and Islands United Way since 2007 and count myself as lucky to have gotten to know Rich and the great group of assembled directors, who each make it a point to try and make the Cape and Islands a better place.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CAPE AND ISLANDS UNITED WAY