UW CHAPTERS WITHHOLDING NATIONAL DUES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 27, 1992                   TAG: 9202270191
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
UW CHAPTERS WITHHOLDING NATIONAL DUES
The Pulaski and Giles county United Way boards have decided not to pay dues to the United Way of America until a controversy over the national director has been resolved.
The board actions were made in response to revelations about United Way of America President William Aramony, which included his $463,000 salary, lavish perks and jobs given to his friends and son in the Alexandria-based organization.
About 1,400 United Way organizations nationally pay 1 percent of their collections annually to be members of United Way of America.
"We have talked about joining, but wouldn't consider joining until the allegations are resolved," said Chuck Talley, board president for the Pulaski County United Way.
The Pulaski organization has not been a member of the United Way of America since the mid-1980s because it lacked the staff to use national organization benefits, such as training classes, discounted materials and national advertising.
It has since hired its first full-time director and began considering membership with the national organization again.
The Giles County United Way "will hold dues until we find out what's going on," Executive Director Paula Reynolds said.
She said the Giles County United Way, which pays dues annually to the United Way of America, had dropped out a few years ago "because we felt they just didn't do too much. They would send a lot of information, but most of it was junk mail."
Taylor Cole, board president of the Montgomery County and Radford United Way, would not say what his recommendation will be at a special board meeting being held this morning.
"We are as distressed as anyone that some of the funds could have been used in a way that doesn't further the mission of the United Way," Cole said Wednesday.
The New River Valley United Way organizations are not members of the United Way of America, which serves much like a trade association.
Each organization is independent and is run by a volunteer board that makes its own rules and regulations.
the New River Valley United Way leaders said they fear that the public will perceive the tie between the local organizations and the national United Way to be stronger than it is.
"I hope this doesn't hurt the local United Ways," Reynolds said. "We're all working extremely hard and are proud of what we're doing."

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB