Program History

History of the Loaned Executive Program

Prior to the Loaned Executive Program being introduced in 1966, the Geelong Community Chest had been experiencing steady growth but was restricted by the limited opportunity to present the organisation to large industries, especially those with several separate divisions. There was also limited opportunity to expand the concept of the Community Chest beyond these core companies due to the lack of resources – both human and material. The task of organising the canvassing of industries in the Geelong area had become a major commitment for the Industrial Campaign Chairman but it was becoming apparent that it was too big a task for one individual. Consequently the Board of Directors decided to adopt the concept of Loaned Executives. This model was based on successful programs operating in North American united appeals.

The concept of Loaned Executives is a simple but very effective one of recruiting individuals from the Geelong workforce to become ambassadors to the Community Chest, spreading the word amongst their peers and encouraging payroll contributions.

Six Geelong workplaces each nominated an employee for the first Loaned Executive Program in 1966

• Ford Motor Company
• Alcoa
• Shell Refinery
• International Harvester Company
• Australian Portland Cement
• Myer

The Loaned Executive Program would prove to be a pivotal component of the annual campaign of the Community Chest, later to become the United Way we know today.