Philanthropy: A call to action from the Staff Council President’s desk  

As presented by Staff Council President James Jorris to the Shared Governance joint session on Oct. 10, 2023. 

Good evening, everyone! My name is James Jorris. I work in the Patient Financial Services department at UIHC and I am this year’s President of Staff Council. I am honored to be here today amongst our fellow shared governance bodies and seeing our passion and collaboration with one another in the flesh. Before I began my term in June I reached out to our University leadership and asked, what is one goal, one initiative that they would like for us to pursue and set our sights on this year. The overwhelming reply was to grow our philanthropy and community engagement, mainly via our partnership with the United Way, from currently last in the Big Ten to up to the top amongst our peer institutions and show our neighbors that the phrase “Iowa Nice” is not just a saying but a way of life here at Iowa. 

Each year the University of Iowa Staff Council strives to support and actively promote the principles of the University of Iowa’s Strategic Plan. So this year a few key components of this plan that the University of Iowa Staff Council are focused on are Transformative Societal Impact, Welcoming and Inclusive Environment, and Holistic Well-Being and Success. Not coincidentally all 3 of these areas are aided by our involvement in donating and volunteering across our environment where we work, study, and live. Philanthropy/Community Engagement speaks to well-being as it gives one a sense of connectivity and self-worth. Philanthropy/Community Engagement to the places that we hold dear can help us make a societal impact and create an even more welcoming environment. This year a main tenet of Staff Council is collaboration with various institutions, committees, and organizations not only on campus but in our community. Through this vision of collaboration, the University of Iowa Staff Council is honored to be partnering with our local Johnson and Washington County United Way to make our campus and community the best it can be for all through our philanthropy and community engagement. Now is the time for us all to work together towards a common goal of simply leaving our constituents and community better than when we found them. SO if you want to make a difference on our campus and in our community, JOIN US. If you want to help and represent your fellow UI family to make our campus and institution the best it can be, JOIN US. If you want to better the lives of our fellow neighbors and friends, JOIN US. If you want to make a difference for your fellow colleagues and students you see every day and for yourself, JOIN US. My grandmother used to say, be good to yourself but be better to others. Let's all partner with the United Way and do our part for our fellow neighbor and community through our giving, our volunteerism, or simply by spreading the message of the United Way which is to improve lives by uniting the caring power of community! Together we can accomplish anything, we can make the impossible, possible. What we do TODAY will have an impact on all of our TOMORROWS, so let’s make it a positive impact TODAY and make our mark. 

Thank you!