The United Way Regional office serving the Upper Cumberlands performs the Annual Allocation Process this month – a rigorous and unique exercise in which volunteers are invited from local businesses or otherwise involved individuals to gather at the United Way office to hear short reviews of each non-profit program requesting funds from the United Way Community Campaign.

The United Way Regional Office calls this the United Way Citizens Review Allocation Panel and this group of community volunteers make all funding and resource decisions for the non-profit health & human service programs qualifying for United Way funding in that year.

This year the Volunteer Panel will meet on Wednesday & Thursday - May 28 & 29 from 1:00pm until 8:00pm.

The Panel will review 13 programs each afternoon and each volunteer must commit to be at each meeting from start to finish so each volunteer can fairly determine the pressing needs after hearing from all programs requesting resources.

This is a critical meeting, as decisions made during this process directly affect the funds upon which area non-profits depend.

Melinda James is Executive Director of the United Way Regional Office serving the Upper Cumberlands and encourages area participation.