From time to time, there have been various myths about Impact 100. We would like to clear up some of those myths, which have made their rounds into the community.
Myth: There can only be one person from one profession in Impact 100 at a time.
Truth: There is no limit to the number of people who can join Impact 100 in any given profession.
Myth: New members can only join between September and December 31st of the same calendar year.
Truth: An interested person can join at any time. Those joining between the Member Kick-Off in January and The Annual Awards Celebration in September may participate in all Impact 100 events but will have voting rights for the following year. (For example, if someone joins in June 2010, they may participate in all 2010 events, except finalist voting in September 2010. Voting privileges would take effect January 1, 2011.)
Myth: Only women from a certain zip code can join Impact 100.
Truth: Impact 100 welcomes women from all zip codes, and we are actively seeking and encouraging women to join from zip codes not currently represented.
Myth: Impact 100 members are allowed to campaign for the agency(s) they want to be awarded the grants.
Truth: Impact 100 members are asked to respect the integrity of the process and not campaign for an agency they would like to see awarded the grant. In fact, each member signs both a conflict of interest statement, and a strong affiliation statement which disclose which agencies she is involved with so that we can ensure there is no strong influence in the grant review committee process. We are trying to grow our membership so that we are able to give $500,000, which would guarantee that each agency from each category is a winner. Increasing our membership is the only way to accomplish this goal.
Myth: Once an agency receives our money, we never hear from them again.
Truth: To the contrary. Once an agency receives a grant from us, our work has just begun. The Community Investment Review Committee, and other members of the Board Executive Committee continue to monitor their progress, through periodic visits and written reports. Impact 100 grant installment payments are disbursed only after the Board has approved the progress. We also work with the agencies to offer hands-on volunteer opportunities for our members.
These are just a few myths about Impact 100. If you would like to share others and ask that they be answered for you, contact us at impact100.org.
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