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Spotlight on John Gorman
Manager of Business Operations and Finance for Texas Instruments Communications Infrastructure group, John Gorman has volunteered for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) for the past six years:
Outcomes Committee - Chair (2006-2007)
Outcomes Committee - Vice Chair (2005-2006)
Outcomes Committee - Volunteer (2003-2004)
Allocations Panel - Chair (2003)
Allocations Panel - Member (2000-2003)
Gorman first became involved with UWMD as an Employee Campaign Coordinator. While working to raise money for United Way, he says he became increasingly curious where and how that money was spent. "I began volunteering as an Allocations Panel member expecting to find that there were better places to spend my time and money. I am pleased to say I was mistaken."
During his tenure with UWMD, Gorman played a role in shaping both the current outcomes measurement and funds allocation processes, helping to establish sound strategies for measuring programs and investing donor contributions most wisely.
Volunteering with UWMD brought an unexpected personal benefit to Gorman, as well.
"As an allocation panel volunteer I frequently went on agency site visits. During one memorable visit, I was spellbound by one of the clients/volunteers that the agency brought in to talk to us. This gentleman was in his 90s and had more energy than I did. As we were leaving, I personally thanked him for taking the time to come talk to us. He and I talked for 15 minutes and found that we shared an interest in uncommon roses. A few weeks later, he sent a letter to me care of UWMD. My life has been enriched by the stories he has shared with me about Dallas history, the original "Quiz Show," old movies, working the railroad, and what it was like to live through the ushering in of the automobile age, air travel, and so many other things. If I had not volunteered with United Way I would never have had the opportunity to meet this Dallas treasure."
With an expanding family, Gorman says he is increasingly interested in the state of education in the Dallas area. He is a neighborhood volunteer and youth leader in his church, and a founding member of the Bailey Society at the Dallas Museum of Natural History.
