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As a first-generation college graduate, TI employee Gregory Duperon is committed to helping people in local communities succeed.
Throughout his childhood, Duperon received valuable guidance and support from teachers and others in his community. This support inspired him to volunteer and pledge to United Way.
"I owe a great debt to those who helped me get to where I am today," he said. "A lot of people invested their time and money in me. Now, I'm in a position to repay that debt to the community, if you will."
Duperon, a test engineer, first became a United Way volunteer through his involvement with TI's New Employee Initiative (NEI) after joining the company as a full-time employee two years ago.
Today, he supports the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) as a member of the Community Impact Grants Panel for Math and Science Education and the Millennial Task Force.
Community Impact Grants Panel
Through his work on the Community Impact Grants Panel, Duperon partners with other volunteers to determine where and how United Way funds are invested in North Texas.
In addition to evaluating funding proposals based on an established set of criteria, the panel makes site visits to see the agencies in action.
"The site visits give us a chance to further evaluate the agencies, ask pointed questions and better understand how the United Way's funds may impact their programs," Duperon said. "Working on the panel, I have visited parts of Dallas I would not normally see and have had the opportunity to meet people who are doing great work."
Duperon said the math and science panel had roughly $600,000 in grant funds available for 2012, and more than $1.5 million in requests.
"Needless to say, tough decisions have to be made in terms of how to best allocate funds, and we have to determine where the best return on investment is and where we will see the most results," he said.
"Serving on the panel has allowed me to see first-hand the amount of due diligence the United Way does before investing in different programs. As a donor, I know my money is being directed toward the most impactful programs possible."
Millennial Task Force
When Rich Templeton, TI chairman, president and CEO, became the UWMD citywide United Way chair in February 2012, he immediately saw a need to get more young people involved. The Millennial Task Force was formed as a result, and Duperon jumped at the opportunity to become a member.
The goal of the Millennial Task Force is to develop strategies that boost United Way engagement among millennials as donors, volunteers and in other capacities.
"Millennials want to do more than just throw money at issues; we want to know how our money is being used and its ultimate impact demonstrated via measureable results," Duperon said. "There is also a desire to reinforce that impact through volunteer work and other activities."
Duperon, along with Templeton and about 100 United Way volunteers age 35 and younger, recently participated in a Millennial Task Force volunteer event that enabled children and families who are part of United Way-financed literacy programs at Vickery Meadows Learning Center, now known as VMLC, to receive free backpacks, books and school supplies.
"United Way simply gets to people throughout the community that we would not traditionally be able to get to if we were trying to make this community stronger," Templeton said at the Millennial Task Force event. "It's humbling to see the group (of millennials) so energetically engaged to where being involved with United Way means so much more."
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