About

The Tocqueville Society acknowledges philanthropic leaders in each United Way community.

The national society was created by United Way of America and in 2005, Jon Campbell and inaugural chairs Nancy and John Lindahl brought the Tocqueville Society to the Twin Cities. The society was created by donors—for donors—to develop a stronger sense of community and connectedness between its members.

2010 Co-chairs John and Trudy Wilgers

2010 Outstanding Civic Leadership Award Winners Dick and Joyce McFarland

Immediate Past Co-chairs M. Nicholas Burke & Susan Slattery Burke

• View 2010 cabinet members.
• View past society chairs.

History

Only 26 years old in 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville arrived in and traveled throughout the United States and wrote Democracy in America based on his observations.

Central to Tocqueville's writings was his admiration for the American spirit of voluntary action for the common good. He recognized, applauded and immortalized the voluntary spirit that energized the lives of Americans.

United Way Tocqueville Society was created to honor the goodwill and community leadership that inspired Tocqueville's writings more than a century ago.

Membership Levels

Though established only three years ago, the Greater Twin Cities United Way Tocqueville Society has already set a high standard for other communities to follow: over 564 donor households raised $15.4 million, with 94 new members last year.

The six membership giving levels include:

• $10,000-$24,999 = Membres de la Société
• $25,000-$49,999 = Ordre de Liberté
• $50,000-$74,999 = Ordre d'Egalité
• $75,000-$99,999 = Ordre de Fraternité
• $100,000-$999,999 = La Société Nationale
• $1,000,000+ = La Table Ronde des Millions de Dollars
  A gift of $1,000,000 or more entitles an individual to membership in the national Million Dollar Roundtable.

News/Upcoming Events

Twin Cities Tocqueville Society Wins Four National Awards
United Way Worldwide recognized our local Tocqueville Society as the best in the nation at the national Fleur de Lis Award Ceremony. The Twin Cities Tocqueville Society had the largest increase in dollars for community impact over last year—raising $3.1 million more than in 2008!

Our Tocqueville Society won in these categories:
Net Increase in Tocqueville Society Donors
Highest Percentage of Tocqueville Gift Increase Above 10%
Most New Million Dollar Roundtable Members
Most National Society Members

Brian Gallagher, CEO of United Way Worldwide, presents award to Nick Burke, 2009 chair of the Twin Cities Tocqueville Society.

Watch your mail and e-mail for more details about these upcoming Tocqueville Society events:

September 22—United Way Neighborhood Bus Tour

Thursday, October 7—$25K/Century Legacy Event
John and Trudy Wilgers' Home

Volunteer Opportunities

We're currently planning more engaging and educational events. Check back soon!

Past Events

2010 Awards Dinner
Over 120 Tocqueville Society and Century Legacy members gathered to celebrate the recipients of the 2010 Tocqueville Society Award for Civic Leadership; which was presented to Dick and Joyce McFarland. This year, the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented in memoriam to Carl and Eloise Pohlad. Attendees spent ample time catching up with peers, enjoyed escorted tours of the Radisson’s model rooms and suites, and experienced a heartwarming and inspirational program.

The whole family came to celebrate Dick and Joyce McFarland.

Evening Encounter Series—July 27 & 29
Julie and Doug Baker, and Shirley and John Johnson had fullhouses this summer as they hosted Tocqueville Society members in their homes for the annual Evening Encounter Series. Members heard from Peter Heegaard, founder and former CEO of Lowry Hill, author of Heroes Among Us and founder of Urban Adventure. Peter and Brian Paulson, United Way community impact manager, spoke about the return on investment of effective employment training and placement programs. Members also had the opportunity to connect with each other in an intimate setting.

More

• For more information about Greater Twin Cities United Way Tocqueville Society, please contact Mary Whitenack
  by e-mail or by phone: 612-340-7570.

• Find information on the national Tocqueville Society.