WHO FROM MY TEAM SHOULD ATTEND?

UNITED IN PURPOSE is  appropriate for all levels of United Way staff, including C-suite executives, leaders in development, marketing and brand, impact, finance, and staff working on cross-market initiatives related to our Network’s strategic transformation. This Forum is not intended for corporate partners, volunteers, donors, or agency partners. You can find more information on the HOME page. 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Business casual is how most people define their chosen wardrobe. Spring in Houston can be very comfortable, with daytime temperatures  around 83°F and 68°F at night. The downtown Houston area is very walkable, and the George R. Brown Convention Center is large, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes - or boots if you prefer. Finally, please feel free to wear your LIVE UNITED gear (and bring a sweater for chilly meeting rooms)! 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

We will provide any materials you need for the conference during  check in at registration. Our event app will provide more details on specific sessions and activities, and relevant background info. Otherwise bring yourself and excitement to collaborate with your peers! 

TELL ME MORE ABOUT SPEAKERS AND CONTENT?

In addition to hearing from United Way Worldwide President and CEO Angela F. Williams, we are working with United Way staff leaders across the Network to serve as session presenters, shape feedback sessions, facilitate dialogue, and more. Check out the AGENDA tab for current content.   

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

We’re so sorry you can’t make it! Cancellations made on or before April 24 will be subject to a $100 cancellation fee; cancellations made after April 24 are non-refundable. To make changes or cancel your registration, please click here. Should you test positive for COVID while at a time which makes travel unsafe, please contact events@unitedway.org immediately to discuss your options. UWW cannot provide confirmation of hotel or transportation cancellation policies; please contact those providers directly. Registration fee refunds will be issued for attendees whose tests are presented as positive onsite. 

WHAT LEARNING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WILL I HAVE AT THIS EVENT?

In addition to informal conversations during breaks, our schedule includes a mix of “traditional” learning sessions (where participants can gain  strategic tactical guidance and build skills), ideation and input sessions (where participants can provide feedback on some of the various projects underway), and other gently facilitated conversations. Members of various United Way working groups will also meet during the event and engage in open conversations with attendees. This is an opportunity not only for knowledge sharing but also to strengthen our Network through insightful dialogue, thoughtful inputs to enhance projects underway, and co-creation of key initiatives. Through the app and on-site, we’ll encourage dialogue designed to foster meaningful conversations around the issues we’re facing regarding  health, education and financial stability. We will also be hosting a reception on the evening of Thursday, May 18. Outside of programmed hours, we encourage you to gather your own groups and take advantage of all the Houston area offers! 

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE IN HOUSTON?

When booking your travel, please plan to arrive on Tuesday, May 16, so you're well-rested when our opening session begins on Wednesday, May 17. The program will wrap up by noon on Friday, May 19. 

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION TO BOOK MY HOTEL?

Visit the TRAVEL & HOTEL tab to get all the information on travel to Houston, including the two hotels  within walking distance of the convention center where we have secured room blocks with discounted pricing. Once you complete registration, you will receive the direct hotel reservation link in your attendee confirmation email. Rates and availability at each hotel before and after the event are not guaranteed; please contact your preferred hotel directly for that information.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT COVID POLICY?

Current United Way Worldwide (UWW) policy requires that attendees at this event provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or test negative to a rapid COVID-19 test administered by the licensed Attend Safe team onsite at United in Purpose. For attendees without proof of COVID -19 vaccination or for those who prefer to provide a negative rapid COVID-19 test, onsite testing will be provided on Wednesday, May 17 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. 

UWW has partnered with Attend Safe, a leading vaccine verification platform, to verify vaccination information and manage on-site COVID testing in a secure and HIPAA compliant way. You must submit your proof of vaccination by May 10 or you will be required to test negative to a rapid COVID-19 test on May 17, before entering the event. Click here to view instructions and more information about the process. During the event, we encourage following recommended health and safety protocols, including regular handwashing, maintaining social distance, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, and self-isolating if you feel ill or test positive for COVID.  Masks are not required but are encouraged.  A variety of seating options will be available during different sessions, so individuals can determine the distance that is most comfortable for themselves. Staff will be available onsite to assist should you have additional questions. 

If you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a nonimmigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), the United States currently requires travelers to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the United States by plane. For more information, see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers. 

Should you become ill or test positive for COVID-19, we request that attendees remove themselves from participation and notify events@unitedway.org. Registration fee refunds will be issued for attendees whose tests are presented as positive onsite. 

United Way reserves the right to deny entry to or remove anyone at the event presenting with flu-like or COVID-19-related symptoms. Refusal to abide by United Way Worldwide’s health safety related procedures may result in removal from the program and cancellation of registration without refund.   

United Way Worldwide has put in place various preventative measures to address concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that attendees will not be exposed to COVID-19 while attending the conference. Each attendee assumes the risks associated with attendance at an in-person event.   

CAN UNITED WAY HELP ME GET A VISA?

United Way’s involvement in the visa process is limited to providing a registration confirmation and invitation letter. The visa consular has sole discretion in determining who receives a visa. Please contact events@unitedway.org with any visa questions. 

CAN I PAY WITH FLEXIBLE CREDITS?

Yes, you can! United Way staff and volunteers can pay for the event directly with flexible credits and submit your travel, hotel and food expenses for reimbursement (within reasonable limits) after the event. Please note, only staff from United Ways eligible to receive flexible credits may use them at this event. United Ways outside the U.S. and Canada do not qualify for flex credit use.

Check your United Way flexible credit balance anytime. If you choose to use your flex credits to pay for this event when you get to the payment screen while registering, select “Flexible Credits." 

More details on UWW's flexible credit policy for both this event and other opportunities can be found on United Way Online. If you have any additional questions about flexible credits, please contact Ask United Way.

HOW DO I CLAIM TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FROM MY UNITED WAY'S FLEXIBLE CREDITS?

If you would like to be reimbursed for your travel expenses from your flexible credit account, you can submit them, and they will be processed after the event. Each registrant will receive a digital travel reimbursement form about a week after the event ends. Once this form is sent, it must be completed by the date indicated in the reimbursement email.. You do not need to submit your receipts with this form, though we encourage you to keep them for your records.

WHAT'S THE PER DIEM FOR THIS EVENT?

The per diem allowed when requesting reimbursement from flexible credits covers hotel and food expenses. For this event, the total per diem allowed for each attendee is $1520. Travel (airline or train tickets, taxi fares, parking fees, etc) can be reimbursed up to $500.