The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has announced that it recently received another "seal of approval" from the United Way Worldwide organization for completing a series of thirteen membership requirements set forth to be considered in good standing with the international organization for the year 2013.

Currently, only ten percent of United Ways in the United States hold this distinction. The United Way “thumbs up” approval reflects excellence in areas that include financial management, governance, legal and ethical practices, brand management and community impact.

“The United Way ‘Thumbs Up’ signifies excellence and accountability in the nonprofit sector,” said Tracy Toy, United Way Board Chair. “I am proud to be a part of an organization that holds itself accountable to the community that it serves.”

United Ways complete the requirements on an annual basis and submit a report to the international organization with the appropriate accompanying documents by the month of June each year. United Way Worldwide reviews those reports and documents and issues an acknowledgement of membership requirements met for those United Ways meeting all criteria for membership.

Membership criteria includes such items as being recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Code, having an active, responsible, and voluntary governing body, adhering to a locally developed and adopted code of ethics for volunteers and staff, and having an annual audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant.

A comprehensive list of United Ways meeting the membership requirements for 2013 is available at http://apps.liveunited.org/myuw/.