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For nearly a decade, Sam Ciani, TI Sherman wafer fab manager, has been making a difference in his local community by serving as a United Way volunteer, giver and advocate.
A self-described lifetime volunteer, Ciani's volunteer roles have expanded in scope and responsibility over the years. Most recently, he has served in several positions on the United Way of Grayson County's (UWGC) Board of Directors, including board chair, and has been a member of committees that have made important decisions for Sherman, Texas.
On one of these committees, Ciani helped select Grayson County's current United Way executive director. He also served on Grayson County's oversight committee for more than five years. This committee uses an established and approved process to determine those service agencies that will receive United Way funding.
"As financial stewards of people's money, we make sure the agencies that receive funding can show us how they have applied funding through proper financial documentation," Ciani said.
"During my time on that committee, we asked several TI finance and operations people to be part of the financial committee to make sure the agencies we fund are viable and will be around a long time."
Supporting a model shift
A few years ago, the UWGC moved from a model of funding agencies to funding programs, which now requires each agency to bid on how much funding they will need for specific programs. UWGC then holds the agencies accountable by empowering oversight committees to monitor them to ensure the funds are being used as promised and are producing the desired results.
According to Ciani, UWGC provides program funding in two areas — Community Solutions and Youth Development — and a special initiative, Addressing Drugs and Alcohol Abuse.
"Each city has special needs, and this is an important factor in reinvesting in the local community," Ciani said. "United Way's strength is in ensuring a wise use of donations and making sure the money is going in the right places."
Adding value
One of the greatest strengths that Ciani believes TI brings to United Way is value from a business perspective. He also believes serving as a United Way volunteer helps TI employees build important leadership and networking skills.
"We bring process and discipline to financial evaluations and help make solid business decisions," he said.
On a more personal level, Ciani offers valuable attributes as well. He provides ongoing coaching and advice to his United Way chapter's executive director, helping him to think through difficult problems and find viable solutions that make their community stronger.
"Sam is a wealth of knowledge and experience," said David Cortinas, UWGC's president and CEO. "Whenever the UWGC is faced with an issue, we can go to Sam and he knows how to address it."
David said Ciani provides just enough input to get you thinking, but lets you come up with the solution.
"Sam's leadership, along with TI's ongoing support in Grayson County, has made our United Way a strong, credible and valued partner in our community today," David said.
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