Inside Furman is published quarterly by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Swartz on loan
Tobi Swartz, director of the Bridges to a Brighter Future program, will be devoting more time to the United Way campaign this fall than any other person at Furman.
But you won't see her on campus urging colleagues to contribute to the annual fund-raiser. As Furman's loaned executive to the United Way of Greenville County, most of Swartz's energy is being channeled off campus.
One of 43 loaned executives in the county, Swartz serves as a liaison between the human service agency and organizations conducting campaigns. After a three-day orientation in August, she was assigned to assist the City of Greenville with its campaign.
Throughout the fall, Swartz will work with the city campaign coordinators and team leaders to brainstorm fund-raising initiatives. With approximately 820 employees, the city has a campaign goal of $69,000.
In her volunteer role, Swartz has attended a police roll call and met with fire fighters and sanitation workers. For a short — and hot — 30 minutes, she even wore the costume for Sir Thanksalot, the Saint Bernard mascot for the United Way.
“ Tobi has a great personality for working with people to help them accomplish their goals,” says Chandra Dillard, Community Relations Director and Furman's United Way campaign coordinator. “The United Way is really only a staff of maybe 10 people, if that. For them to run their campaign and raise the amount of money they want to raise, they have volunteers from all over.”
Swartz is using her role to meet and network with the other loaned executives. She hopes, in turn, that many of them will eventually serve as mentors for the students in Bridges, a summer enrichment program for economically disadvantaged high schoolers.
“My job is so community-oriented that it's great to be in the community more, which can only benefit Furman and benefit Bridges to a Brighter Future,” she says.
Furman has long supported the United Way loaned executive program . Recent university loaned executives have included Melanie Armstrong, Teri Brinkman, and John Roberts.
The United Way of Greenville County campaign was launched September 7 with an announced goal of $13 million. It will conclude November 14.