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This is more of a local you had to live here item. Georgia was undergoing Natural Gas Deregulation and the monopoly carrier Atlanta Gas Light had come up with a crazy scheme to collect their distribution fees -- estimating what you might use and charging accordingly. Ultimately, the Georgia General Assembly tagged AGL so hard that this practice came to an end. This press release was created after the then head of AGL was named the chairman for United Way in Atlanta.  At the time, I worked for another Natural Gas company and had my hands on their internal e-mail list.  I spammed Atlanta Gas Light with this press release using an anonymous proxy.  I later heard that it was passed about.

Higgens Named United Way Chairman for 2000

ATLANTA, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Walter M. Higgins, campaign chairman for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta for the year 2000, today announced a major change to the methods the organization uses to raise money. At a meeting of the Downtown Rotary Club, Higgins unveiled the new campaign, titled “Design Year Charitable Giving”.

Under the plan, employees will no longer be asked to fill out a form designating fair share giving.  Instead, supervisors will determine how much employees would have given if they had been asked.

“This plan will streamline matters immensely, “ noted Higgins, a 20-year veteran in gas and utility management and currently Chairman of AGL Resources. “We can now hold one meeting and set giving for the year.”

Higgins said that savings in fund raising costs will be passed along to contributors.  After figuring what employees might have pledged if they were asked, supervisors will cut the amount based on how much the employees might have given last year.  Larger contributors will get a larger share of the savings.

Another feature of the plan will be to fold 12 months of giving into the first five months of the year.

“While this might negatively affect our contributors cash flow in the short term, they will then enjoy a higher paycheck the rest of the year,” said Higgins.

"Volunteer and staff leaders of United Way are thrilled with this new plan," said Mark O'Connell, President of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. "by the time the campaign is over we’re all sick of  donuts and coffee.”  O’Connell also had high praise for the rates and regulatory section of Atlanta Gas Light, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources, who are credited with coming up with the plan.

"I'm pleased to accept the challenge of this major fundraising effort," Higgins said. "United Way plays a leading role in building stronger, safer communities. Working to improve the quality of life in metro Atlanta is something we wholeheartedly support at AGL Resources and Atlanta Gas Light Company."

United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta is the largest, non-governmental funder of health and human services in Atlanta. In 1998, United Way helped one of every five people in its 13-county service area. In addition, 90 cents of every dollar raised by United Way goes to meet basic needs, nurture children and youth, strengthen families, increase economic self-sufficiency and encourage citizen involvement.