Fifty percent participation is goal in
$440,000 COMECC drive

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

hancellor David K. Scott announced a plan to increase support for this year's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employee Charitable Campaign (COMECC) at an Oct. 12 kickoff breakfast. Scott said he would like to see participation in the campaign increase to at least 50 percent.

     Employee volunteers and representatives of charitable agencies that benefit from COMECC kicked off the 2000 campaign at the meeting by sharing success stories and planning how to reach the $440,000 goal.

     Forty-five percent of campus employees participated last year, donating $397,234, more than any other commonwealth agency.

     "We have a challenge before us — $440,000," said Robert Helgesen, vice chancellor for Outreach and chair of the COMECC Leaders' Circle.

     "There's a very good reason we've increased the goal," he said, citing the increase in number of agencies benefiting from COMECC and the extensive need for charitable support. "Let's exceed our goal this year. I know we can do that job. The Leaders' Circle has pledged $110K already. Ten dollars a week will put you in the Leaders' Circle."

     Scott and his wife, Kathleen, have already pledged $5,000, the chancellor said, and they are making two challenges to the campus community.

     "I think that 50 percent [participation] is a very important symbolic point to reach. My wife and I are going to play our part. We need another 270 donors to reach 50 percent. For every new donor who will pledge $20 or more, my wife and I will donate another $20, up to $5,000. If we go over the 50 percent, we'll give another $5,000, for a total of $15,000."

     This year we are going to be helped. [Athletic director] Bob Marcum is going to do the same thing in his area. And [Deputy Chancellor] Marcellette Williams is doing it, too.

     "One person giving $10,000 is important, but a thousand people giving $10 is also important. Something like one-third of the families in Hampshire County don't have enough for their basic needs. We need to build a culture of caring. The commonwealth still ranks near the bottom of the states in charitable giving."

     Community Relations associate Gloria Fox emphasized that COMECC is voluntary, a program started by employees, and that every employee can give through COMECC, including retirees.

     "As a retiree, we still give you the opportunity to participate in the campaign...so we never let go," she said.

     "Do the thing that's uncomfortable," Music professor George Parks, in his seventh year chairing the campaign, told the assembled departmental coordinators. "Ask people, 'Would you give another dollar this year?' Do at least two things that you've never done before, and let's hit 60 percent."