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

DATE: SUNDAY, March 22, 1992                   TAG: 9203220083
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS                                LENGTH: Short

UNITED WAY GIVES REGIONS ASSURANCES

Regional United Way officials expressed confidence in the charity organization Saturday after meeting with its national leaders to discuss a probe triggered by reports of questionable financial practices.

John Akers, United Way of America chairman, and Kenneth Dam, the group's interim president, met privately with representatives of some of United Way's largest chapters at the group's annual Volunteer Leaders Conference.

Many local chapters - including the one in Roanoke, Va. - decided to withhold dues until the national organization completed an investigation of its internal financial operations following former United Way President William Aramony's resignation this month.

Aramony quit after it was reported that he received a compensation package of $463,000, including benefits and an annual salary of nearly $400,000.

"They're doing the right kinds of things, and they're trying to expedite the process," United Way volunteer Art Maurer of Rochester, New York, said Saturday.

Akers and Dam told the regional representatives they have demanded an accounting of United Way's involvement with all spinoff corporations, said Dan MacDonald, president of United Way of Central Indiana.

by CNB