By Joe Olenick
The three local United Ways in the process of merging are holding a vote next week to address a minor issue concerning the voting rights of members after the consolidation is approved by the state Supreme Court.
The United Way of Eastern Niagara, the United Way of Niagara and the United Way of the Tonawandas are set to form a new agency, the United Way of Greater Niagara. Back in February the chapters voted to approve the merger, needing only the approval of the state Attorney General’s office and state Supreme Court to make the consolidation official. Niagara United Way President Carol Houwaart Diez, who is also serving as a president on loan for Eastern Niagara, said the attorney general’s office noticed something missing from the agencies’ consolidation plan.
“We had all of our paperwork together,” Houwaart Diez said. “But we needed a line that said members will be able to retain their voting rights. It’s nothing major, just an oversight.”
So members from all three United Ways will be voting on a proposed consolidation plan, where the only difference will be an added line stating that all members will keep their voting rights after the merger takes affect.
If everything goes according to plan, the merger is expected to take affect Nov. 1. Eastern Niagara Chairperson Bob Hagen said if all three agencies approve the updated merger plan then the merger’s fate is up to the state.
“We’re on the road to completion,” he said.
