UW CHAPTERS TO STUDY POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO NATIONAL STORY

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

DATE: TUESDAY, February 25, 1992                   TAG: 9202250083
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
UW CHAPTERS TO STUDY POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO NATIONAL STORY
Two local United Way organizations have scheduled special board meetings this week to discuss possible reaction to a news story about the United Way of America.
The Washington Post story ran in the Roanoke Times & World-News on Sunday.
The Montgomery County and Radford United Way and the Pulaski County United Way will discuss their possible responses 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 his son in the Alexandria-based organization.
The Montgomery County and Radford United Way board, which sends quarterly dues to the national organization, will meet Thursday, board President Taylor Cole said, "at which time we'll discuss any action to be taken."
The United Way of Roanoke Valley recently decided to delay paying dues until the controversy is resolved.
The Pulaski County United Way board called a meeting Monday night to discuss future affiliation with the national group and how to respond to the community, said Kymn Davidson-Hamley, executive director.
Most importantly, however, is the fear that the public will perceive the tie between the local organizations and the national United Way to be stronger than it really is, the leaders said.
"We are not chapters and we are not run by the national organization," said Annette Clark, executive director of the Montgomery County and Radford United Way. "We have local boards that make their own rules and regulations. We are totally independent."
What the national United Way does provide is training classes, discounted materials and national advertising to its 1,400 dues-paying affiliates.
Like about 70 percent of the local United Ways in the country, the Montgomery County and Radford organization pays 1 percent of its contributions to the national group. Since raising approximately $678,000 in its 1991 campaign, the group will pay about $6,255, said Cole.
"There are many benefits, services and advocacy available from the national organization," said Davidson-Hamley of the Pulaski United Way. "They're a great resource."
The Pulaski County United Way has not been a member of the United Way of America since the mid-1980s because it lacked a full-time staff "to take advantage of national benefits," Davidson-Hamley said. She was hired in 1991 as the group's first full-time director.
However, the board was planning to discuss future membership at its March meeting, but decided instead to have a special meeting after receiving information from United Way of Virginia.
The state organization sent out materials to various United Way groups last week to help them plan a media response to the story.
"Copies of [newspaper articles] were sent to the board members along with information from the state organization," Davidson-Hamley said. "All of the information will be discussed."
The United Fund of Floyd County Inc., similar to the United Way, raises funds during the annual United Way campaigns. Its board will discuss the allegations at its March meeting, said secretary Bob Huff, but is not planning any action.
And Giles County United Way representatives could not be reached for comment.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB