PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CHEROKEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA
This agreement entered into on this 21st Day of March, 2024 by and between the Cherokee County Board of Education, hereinafter referred to as the “School Board” and United Way of Greater Atlanta, hereinafter referred to as the “United Way.”
WHEREAS, the School Board’s mission is to educate the emerging generation through learning environments designed to increase the performance of all students; and,
WHEREAS, one of the School District’s Priority Areas is Family, Partner and Community Engagement; and,
WHEREAS, United Way’s mission is that every child in our community has the opportunity to reach his or her potential, and to build a strong future for Greater Atlanta, and
WHEREAS, United Way’s vision is that Greater Atlanta is a place where all individuals, and families and communities thrive, and
WHEREAS, United Way believes that communities that can say “all the children are well” have babies who are born healthy; kids who read proficiently by third grade; teens graduating from high school prepared for college, careers and life; children growing up in secure homes and safe neighborhoods, with healthy food, and access to medical care to keep them healthy; and families supported by communities where people are educated, employed and housed; and have ready access to good healthcare and affordable healthy foods, and
WHEREAS, United Way funded partners serving Cherokee County residents include: American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Center for Children and Young Adults, Cherokee Family Violence Center, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Diabetes Association, Empowerment Resource Center, Families First, Girl Scouts of Metro Atlanta, Goodwill Services of North Georgia, Goshen Valley Foundation, Homeless Coalition of Cherokee County, Jewish Family & Career Services, Live Safe, MUST Ministries, Open Hand Atlanta, Reach Out and Read, Inc., Ser Familia, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Visiting Nurses Health System, and
WHEREAS, The Cherokee County School System employees contributed 11 percent of the $435,376 total in the 2022/2023 Cherokee County United Way campaign, and
WHEREAS, United Way of Greater Atlanta invested over $375,000 in child well being mission funded programs and designated donations serving 9,683 Cherokee County residents in 2022-2023. Now therefore in consideration of the covenants and conditions set forth herein the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The parties agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference
ARTICLE II
The School Board will:
1. Continue the countrywide payroll deduction option for pledges to United Way, with the assurance of both parties of maintaining employee confidentiality.
2. Provide a coordinator at each school site and at the Central Office to facilitate the annual campaign.
3. Provide the opportunity for school system employees to work cooperatively with United Way to hold a special fundraising event (i.e. faculty/student basketball games and/or employee softball tournament).
4. Provide use of school system mail/email for distribution of United Way campaign materials, as permitted by School Board policy.
5. Provide a school system representative on the United Way Chairman’s Cabinet/Advisory Board.
6. Allow the usage of the United Way’s ePledge system to collect pledges from employees and special events, with the assurance of both parties of maintaining employee confidentiality.
7. Provide the opportunity for a United Way representative to speak at the Principal’s Meeting before the annual campaign begins.
8. Conduct the annual United Way campaign during a set two-week period during October/November for all schools.
9. Encourage participation of schools in United Way’s Shoebox.
10. Encourage high school seniors to participate with United Way projects for their Senior Project.
ARTICLE III
United Way will:
1. Conduct the annual United Way campaign during the months of October/November with the assurance of both parties of maintaining employee confidentiality.
2. Conduct a Coordinators Training/Campaign Kickoff at the Cherokee County Board of Education Central Office, providing training and campaign materials.
3. Provide a representative to speak at the Principal’s Meeting before the annual campaign begins and provide campaign materials.
4. Provide the ePledge platform as well as any training and IT assistance that is required.
5. Provide the opportunity for high school seniors to participate with United Way for their Senior Project.
6. Accept all children/interested participants for participation within its programs without regard to their gender, race, political affiliation, age, national origin, or handicapping condition or any other discrimination recognized and prohibited by State or Federal Law. Children/participants with handicaps must be provided all necessary levels of supervision and must be included within the activities of the partnering organizations. As a result of this partnership agreement, United Way must adhere to all local, State and Federal laws regarding education.
ARTICLE IV
The term of this contract is March 21, 2024 through March 21, 2025. This contract shall automatically renew for additional terms not to exceed five years unless either party notifies the other at least 60 days prior to renewal date.
ARTICLE V
This contract may be terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party with or without cause. All notice of this contract shall be given to the Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools at PO Box 769, Canton, GA 30114, and to the United Way of Greater Atlanta at 40 Courtland St. NE, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30303.