“2013 was my first year being an ECC.” Katie Bender recounts her history overseeing workplace campaigns for United Way of Anchorage. She serves as one of Northrim Bank’s Vice Presidents and is its Community & Public Relations Manager. While 2013 was Katie’s first time to be an ECC, which stands for Employee Campaign Coordinator, it wasn’t her first interaction with United Way.
She worked here for us back in the 2000s. “Every community member in the Anchorage area has benefitted from United Way’s work,” says Katie.
As an ECC at Northrim Bank, she looks for opportunities to get her colleagues engaged. “Lots of people want to help, but they don’t always know what to do. So I try to make it easy, fun and relevant for people to support our community,” Katie says.
When she’s asked what “easy, fun and relevant” looks like, she offers a list of Northrim Bank’s successful fundraising activities. “We’ve done ‘Candy Kudos’—but now we try to be healthier,” Katie shares. Then, she mentions her workplace has turned to distributing granola bars, nuts and nutrient-rich treats instead.
She continues, saying, “In the past, I’ve empowered my colleagues to participate in fundraising activities like crockpot cook-offs, costume contests and dance-offs.” Katie laughs and gives an anecdote about bankers who started in suits, then turned to slowly removing their jackets and loosening their ties. “These events brought people together and helped them see the impact they can make on our community.” Since COVID, Northrim Bank’s employee engagement has looked different. However, Katie is committed to helping people get excited about becoming regular donors.
“Just as we grow older, we also grow in our responsibilities and capabilities,” Katie says. She notes that Northrim Bank encourages its employees to give fair-share gifts. “If you give one-and-a-half times your hourly salary each month, you’ve contributed meaningfully.” Calculated out, that donation means any employee who makes $20 an hour would give $30 each month to United Way. Many people want to do even more. Donate now.
When we see the impact of our donations, we’re inspired to give more. “Everyone benefits from serotonin boosts,” says Katie. “The more we help and the more we see how our help matters, the more we contribute.”
Jan Knutson says
Hi Katie,
Congratulations on your new EEC position with Northrim Bank! And, thank you for approving the 5th Annual Peony $1,000 Sponsorship from Northrim Bank. When I saw you name on the Sponsorship correspondence, I said to myself “I know Katie Bender.” And, now I know how from my & my husband Ed Hutchinson’s years of living and working in Anchorage with United Way of Anchorage, the Endowment Fund of the Anchorage Senior Center and the Estate Planning Council. We moved to Homer in 2014 and love living and working here. I’m the Chamber Visitor Center Director & have been for 10 years. Stop in when you are in Homer…would enjoy seeing & talking with you again. Jan