Why the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) Matters at UTMB
This episode of The Pulse spotlights the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) and the impact it continues to make across Texas. Host Stephen Hadley, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Branding, welcomes three advocates who help guide the campaign each year: Tilly Clark, Director of Presidential Affairs and Event Planning; April Ciccarello, Manager for Community and Physician Engagement; and Pep Valdes, Director for Digital Communications.
Together, they reflect on the culture of generosity that has defined UTMB’s participation for more than three decades. The conversation explores why employees choose to give, how every contribution strengthens local communities, and what makes the campaign such a meaningful part of UTMB’s identity. The group also walks through the simple ways to support SECC, whether through payroll deduction, a one-time gift, or credit card donations, and highlights the more than 900 trusted charities available to employees.
Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how SECC amplifies UTMB’s mission and how each of us can make a difference by participating in this year’s campaign.
- 100:00:00,840 --> 00:00:09,600[Auto-generated transcript. Edits may have been applied for clarity.]Welcome to The Pulse, The UTMB Health Podcast, your gateway to the latest insights, ideas and innovations shaping our community and beyond.200:00:10,230 --> 00:00:16,530Stay tuned for engaging discussions, compelling stories, and the information you need to stay informed and connected.300:00:16,830 --> 00:00:24,010Right here on The Pulse. Hello and welcome to The Pulse.400:00:24,040 --> 00:00:27,490I'm Stephen Hadley, vice president of strategic communications and branding.500:00:27,760 --> 00:00:32,590Today, we're highlighting a campaign that brings UTMB employees together in a meaningful way.600:00:32,620 --> 00:00:44,440Each year, the State Employee Charitable Campaign, or SECC. This year is especially important as we celebrate 31 years of giving through SECC at UTMB.700:00:45,070 --> 00:00:51,280The campaign runs October 27th through November 24th, and it's about more than raising funds.800:00:51,490 --> 00:00:57,730It's about the spirit of care that defines our people. Joining me today are the leaders helping guide this year's campaign.900:00:57,880 --> 00:01:01,420Tilly Clark, director of presidential affairs and event planning.1000:01:01,720 --> 00:01:06,760Leader of the Employee Advisory Council and a second year SECC champion.1100:01:07,660 --> 00:01:11,229April Ciccarello, manager for community and physician engagement,1200:01:11,230 --> 00:01:17,050bringing her energy and leadership to help UTMB continue as one of the top contributors statewide.1300:01:17,410 --> 00:01:24,220And Pep Valdes, director for Digital Communications, long time SECC supporter and campaign champion.1400:01:25,030 --> 00:01:31,690All right, let's get started. UTMB has been a part of SECC for more than three decades.1500:01:31,830 --> 00:01:35,020Pep, what personally motivates you to support SECC?1600:01:35,860 --> 00:01:42,910I think the communities where we live and we work in places where we have campuses, places where we have, um, other kinds of outreach, um,1700:01:43,480 --> 00:01:48,309those communities have really been really been great to us for the entire time that1800:01:48,310 --> 00:01:52,360we've been around and really are... we depend on them for our own existence,1900:01:52,360 --> 00:01:57,219for our own success. And for me, SECC is a great way to give back to those communities.2000:01:57,220 --> 00:02:03,670It's one of the things that we do annually that's entirely about somebody other than ourselves or groups other than ourselves.2100:02:03,940 --> 00:02:08,860There... there is a lot of need in the communities, um, in all of our communities.2200:02:09,430 --> 00:02:19,030And this is a way to help address those. I think one of the other important things for me is that the campaign allows me to easily allocate,2300:02:19,450 --> 00:02:24,190um, you know, my dollars, uh, my, my giving to the things that are important to me.2400:02:24,370 --> 00:02:32,380So whether it's, um, support for families, for veterans, for education, the environment, whatever is important to me...2500:02:33,670 --> 00:02:37,690The State Employee Charitable Campaign affords me an easy way to support this.2600:02:37,960 --> 00:02:41,110It's almost literally almost painless... I mean, you don't...2700:02:41,890 --> 00:02:46,690You make your pledge, and you don't even realize that those dollars are going to those good causes.2800:02:46,700 --> 00:02:54,280Uh, just happens automatically. Great. April, why do you think this 31 year tradition continues to resonate so strongly?2900:02:55,270 --> 00:02:57,969Well, Stephen, I think really it goes back to our culture,3000:02:57,970 --> 00:03:03,910and it ties in so well with the strength of our people, our patients, the communities that we serve.3100:03:03,910 --> 00:03:11,170It's our focus. And I think that we give back to the community. We invest in the communities that we serve across the region, across the state.3200:03:11,380 --> 00:03:15,790And I just think that this is a great opportunity for us to come together and serve the community.3300:03:16,540 --> 00:03:24,370Excellent. Thank you. So, Tilly, for those new to SECC, can you explain what it is and how it works?3400:03:24,730 --> 00:03:33,459Of course. So, you know, like they were saying the SECC was created by state legislation in 1994 and it is the3500:03:33,460 --> 00:03:39,340only statutorily authorized workplace giving campaign for the Texas state employees.3600:03:40,000 --> 00:03:49,840It provides each of us with the opportunity to give back by supporting charities through convenient payroll deductions and one-time contributions.3700:03:50,380 --> 00:03:59,890Now, what makes the SECC...SECC unique is that every nonprofit organization included in the campaign has been carefully vetted,3800:04:00,430 --> 00:04:04,299and that means you can give, with confidence, knowing your dollars3900:04:04,300 --> 00:04:08,450go directly to trusted, effective charities making a difference.4000:04:08,470 --> 00:04:15,580Now, what do we have to do? You browse the list of approved charities in the SECC directory.4100:04:16,030 --> 00:04:24,580You choose the organizations you want to support. You can direct your donation to one nonprofit or spread your gift across several.4200:04:25,390 --> 00:04:33,880You decide how you'd like to give through a monthly payroll deduction or a one time donation, or... thank you to the United Way...4300:04:34,060 --> 00:04:37,720This year, it's possible to make donations through your credit card,.4400:04:38,290 --> 00:04:44,440And then you make your pledge online or by completing the paper pledge form provided during the campaign.4500:04:44,500 --> 00:04:54,159It's just that simple. With just a few steps, you can join your UTMB colleagues in supporting causes that matter most to you.4600:04:54,160 --> 00:04:58,300And together, we'll make a meaningful impact across the state of Texas.4700:04:58,870 --> 00:05:00,070Excellent. Very good.4800:05:00,520 --> 00:05:07,479So, Pep, can you.. I think I covered it a second ago, but you... could you give us more information about, uh, when the campaign begins?4900:05:07,480 --> 00:05:12,670When's it when it ends... and sort of some of the details around how you get involved if you're an employee.5000:05:13,390 --> 00:05:18,820Well, we're running this year from October 27th through November 24th.5100:05:19,210 --> 00:05:22,610Um, it's, uh, that we usually try and time our campaign.5200:05:22,880 --> 00:05:30,110Um, to wrap up right around Thanksgiving, it's a great time to be thinking about, uh, all the things that we're individually grateful for.5300:05:30,590 --> 00:05:37,580There will be reminders throughout the campaign... kind of that the, uh, the events going on, there'll be things on the websites,5400:05:37,970 --> 00:05:44,480um, uh, Tilly will probably talk to us a little bit more about what the Employee Advisory Council has planned in terms of outreach.5500:05:44,870 --> 00:05:49,519Um, and, uh, just trying to keep some more awareness out there, but, um, yes.5600:05:49,520 --> 00:05:54,650So end of October, uh, through, uh, uh, close to the end of November.5700:05:55,190 --> 00:06:00,769Excellent. So April, Tilly mentioned a second ago that there is a long list of, um,5800:06:00,770 --> 00:06:04,850different charities and different organizations that our employees can give to.5900:06:04,910 --> 00:06:09,530Could you give me a little bit of information about why that variety is so important?6000:06:10,250 --> 00:06:16,520Sure. As a reminder, just like it's in the name, this is the State Employee Charitable Campaign.6100:06:16,520 --> 00:06:23,780And so we're we're serving organizations that are local, that are statewide, regional, national, international.6200:06:23,780 --> 00:06:27,559Some of them... there's over 900 charities that you can give to.6300:06:27,560 --> 00:06:32,959And I think the varieties, because there's something that speaks to everyone that you give from your heart,6400:06:32,960 --> 00:06:36,740a cause that's close to your heart, those things that matter to you,6500:06:36,740 --> 00:06:42,950whether it's veterans, whether it's dogs, whether it's cats, animals, um,6600:06:43,670 --> 00:06:49,879you know, there are just so many great causes that you can give to, um, you know,6700:06:49,880 --> 00:06:54,440there... there are organizations right here in our community and, you know,6800:06:54,440 --> 00:07:02,450the United Way of Galveston, they manage our SECC from a... from a state, um, regional perspective,6900:07:03,170 --> 00:07:10,969each SECC or each state institution has a local campaign manager and the United Way of Galveston, um,7000:07:10,970 --> 00:07:18,850who is very fiscally responsible and makes those dollars go further can really, um, benefit us.7100:07:18,860 --> 00:07:24,379And getting those dollars to the organizations and to the people that need us, um, to support them.7200:07:24,380 --> 00:07:33,140And it's really it's not about UTMB. We we are, uh, the largest employer here on the island, but, um, it's really about those who need us.7300:07:33,140 --> 00:07:37,670And we live here. We work here. Um, we play here, we go to the beaches.7400:07:37,670 --> 00:07:44,059But, um, you know, there are so many great causes that are near and dear to to all of us.7500:07:44,060 --> 00:07:54,680And, um, whether it be those who are on the front lines, those who work in institutional support, those who work, um, wherever, um,7600:07:55,400 --> 00:08:04,940retirees from, from UTMB, from, from our state organizations, state institutions, um, they can give to those, those charities that matter to them.7700:08:04,940 --> 00:08:08,450And that's why it's so important that there's a wide variety.7800:08:08,660 --> 00:08:11,809There is a process for becoming one of those organizations.7900:08:11,810 --> 00:08:20,240So they're all very well vetted. Um, so I think it's important that, you know, that your dollars matter, no matter how much that you give.8000:08:21,470 --> 00:08:27,050So it really is about, um, employees being able to take care of the local organizations, the local community where we live.8100:08:27,140 --> 00:08:37,240Right. And there is the Give Where You Live campaign... part at part of the campaign... where, you know, we also have, um, employees that work in TDCJ.8200:08:37,640 --> 00:08:41,030And, you know, they may not live here in Galveston County.8300:08:41,030 --> 00:08:45,530Um, they might live in Brazoria County. They might live in Harris County or work here.8400:08:45,530 --> 00:08:48,710So it's important that you can give where you live.8500:08:49,550 --> 00:08:56,690So, Tilly, many employees may wonder if their gift, even if it's a small one, does it really make a difference?8600:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,080How would you answer that? I would say the answer is yes.8700:09:00,080 --> 00:09:04,160Absolutely. The need in our community is real.8800:09:04,280 --> 00:09:08,810Whether it's helping families access health care, supporting education,8900:09:09,020 --> 00:09:15,889protecting the environment, or providing relief in times of crisis through the SECC,9000:09:15,890 --> 00:09:20,870you have the power to choose the causes that matter most to you, just like April was talking about.9100:09:21,440 --> 00:09:27,710And here's the truth even a small gift makes a big impact when all of us participate together.9200:09:28,300 --> 00:09:33,110Imagine the difference of each UTMB employee contributed just a few dollars a month.9300:09:33,500 --> 00:09:41,450Thousands of lives would be touched, and our collective generosity would create a ripple effect of hope and change across Texas.9400:09:41,930 --> 00:09:50,150That is the strength of the SECC. It is proof that when we come together, we can accomplish far more than one of us could do alone.9500:09:50,810 --> 00:09:55,130So Pep, Tilly covered earlier, there's numerous ways to give.9600:09:55,580 --> 00:10:00,920Um, could you walk us through how easy it is to give in some of the different ways to do that?9700:10:01,520 --> 00:10:07,700Yeah. So so all people have to really keep in mind is one thing and that's, um, uh, website address, super easy to remember.9800:10:07,700 --> 00:10:14,000It's a www.utmb.edu/secc9900:10:14,390 --> 00:10:18,950So you're going to go to that to that web page and there's going to be all sorts of information on there.10000:10:18,950 --> 00:10:24,440You're going to be able to get uh, updates on. Like how the campaign is doing, how your area is doing.10100:10:24,680 --> 00:10:30,500You're going to have, um. Uh, ways to give lists of charities, links to the state site.10200:10:30,860 --> 00:10:35,929Uh, with all kinds of information and data on there. All of the charities have hyperlinks.10300:10:35,930 --> 00:10:41,389So if you're interested in for, you know, the environment or you're interested in veterans, um, um,10400:10:41,390 --> 00:10:48,040issues, you can go and see the list of those click through and uh, and um, get information on all those.10500:10:48,380 --> 00:10:53,360Among the links on this, on the website, you're going to have a page that says make your gift, uh,10600:10:53,360 --> 00:11:01,320or give now and there's going to be a link to, um, our online...our online mechanism, a printable form.10700:11:01,340 --> 00:11:04,640So basically a PDF and you literally fill it out, email it into somebody.10800:11:04,850 --> 00:11:09,409Or if you want to make your gift with a credit card, uh, a link to get to that site as well.10900:11:09,410 --> 00:11:15,049And it's like making any other kind of online purchase. Uh, you can make your gift, um, do a one time gift.11000:11:15,050 --> 00:11:18,560You can do a, uh, recurring gift through, uh, that payroll deduction.11100:11:19,070 --> 00:11:23,320And, uh, uh, we've really tried to make it as as easy as possible.11200:11:23,330 --> 00:11:30,020Gifts will run from, uh, January to, in this case, January 2026, for 12 months through the end of the year.11300:11:30,290 --> 00:11:35,179Your gifts do not carry over. You have to go in and and make them again for the next year.11400:11:35,180 --> 00:11:40,280So you don't worry about that. Um, and, uh, it's we've really tried to make it easy.11500:11:40,280 --> 00:11:47,720If you have any questions, there's a way to contact us via the website to get, uh, get support from us or from our campaign managers at United Way.11600:11:48,050 --> 00:11:54,290So if you're currently giving as part of the SECC campaign from a previous year for the current year,11700:11:55,010 --> 00:11:57,409it won't automatically just, um, that's correct.11800:11:57,410 --> 00:12:02,720However to make it again, in the interest of making it easy for people when you log in to the site, if you've given in the past,11900:12:02,990 --> 00:12:09,470you're going to see a pop up that shows who you've given to before, and you're going to see, uh, the amount that you're giving to them.12000:12:09,650 --> 00:12:18,500And if you if you'd like to, you can basically one click and you'll reassign your gift to those, uh, the same groups and those amounts.12100:12:18,500 --> 00:12:21,410You can adjust anything as well, uh, where you'd like to,12200:12:21,770 --> 00:12:27,200but it's always great to go in there and take a look and make sure that everything still aligns with what are your priorities?12300:12:27,500 --> 00:12:31,520You know, like I say, there are a lot of different kinds of, uh, uh, choices and a lot of different needs.12400:12:31,520 --> 00:12:38,090So April, UTMB has consistently ranked as one of the top contributors statewide in this campaign.12500:12:38,570 --> 00:12:45,530What does that say about our culture and our people here? I really think it goes back to our mission, our vision and values, as I mentioned,12600:12:45,530 --> 00:12:50,210and I think it's the compassionate care that we provide and our commitment to serving the community.12700:12:50,540 --> 00:12:57,410Um, I think that we can take a lot of pride in being consistently in the top ranked, um, givers across the state.12800:12:57,620 --> 00:13:00,260And these are these are state institutions.12900:13:00,290 --> 00:13:08,599Um, but again, that we give locally, we take care of those who are here, who have needs and that we, you know,13000:13:08,600 --> 00:13:15,710care about our friends and our neighbors and our our community partners, those organizations that serve those that we also serve.13100:13:15,980 --> 00:13:19,190Um, that we have shared patients, that we have family members,13200:13:19,190 --> 00:13:24,379that we have friends who utilize these programs and services and organizations that are, um,13300:13:24,380 --> 00:13:30,350charitable organizations that serve our community and that we're right there next to them that we are we are serving together,13400:13:30,350 --> 00:13:35,930and that we're doing it together as a as an institution, as an organization, um, that we work together.13500:13:36,170 --> 00:13:46,040Um, the pride that we have in this community and that, um, the, the well-respected reputation that UTMB has and that you can give and when you give,13600:13:46,430 --> 00:13:55,960it's like something happens and you just sort of have this sort of feel good moment, um, you know, that, you know, we're all we're very busy.13700:13:55,970 --> 00:14:05,120We all have a lot of responsibilities. And I think that when you when you give and you give of yourself and, and the things that you support,13800:14:05,420 --> 00:14:10,490um, will make you feel better about the work that we're doing here at UTMB.13900:14:11,210 --> 00:14:17,870Tilly, following up on that a little bit. So how does participating in this campaign really reflect the values that we live out here every day?14000:14:18,350 --> 00:14:22,190Yeah, I agree what April was just talking about that at UTMB.14100:14:22,190 --> 00:14:25,510Our values are reflected in everything we do, right?14200:14:25,520 --> 00:14:28,850Patient care, research, education, innovation.14300:14:29,420 --> 00:14:33,740Participating in the SECC is an extension of those values.14400:14:34,010 --> 00:14:41,630It's a way for each of us to live out our mission beyond the walls of our institution, and into the communities that we serve.14500:14:42,440 --> 00:14:47,750The SECC is more... it's more than just a campaign. It's proof of what we can accomplish together.14600:14:48,110 --> 00:14:55,370Every contribution, no matter what size, adds up to a powerful force to go across the state of Texas.14700:14:56,120 --> 00:15:01,700We do invite every member of the UTMB family to participate in making a difference this year.14800:15:02,000 --> 00:15:07,340Um, as Pep said, the Employee Advisory Council will their representatives will be ambassadors.14900:15:07,340 --> 00:15:13,790This year, we will host events on each of the campuses to help you in understanding, uh,15000:15:13,790 --> 00:15:19,819the SECC, how it works and, uh, get you on board with, uh, supporting our communities.15100:15:19,820 --> 00:15:21,170And I think that together.15200:15:21,930 --> 00:15:29,670We can show that the strength of our communities lies not only in the care and discoveries that we provide, but also in our generosity.15300:15:30,210 --> 00:15:37,590Yeah. And I'd like to say, following up on on what Tilly just shared with us, um, charitable giving is as really uh, and for15400:15:37,590 --> 00:15:42,030no... it's not... probably not a surprise to anyone, but we've it's taken a hit.15500:15:42,120 --> 00:15:46,920Uh, the gifts are down kind of across across the board nationally.15600:15:47,130 --> 00:15:51,150And it really even predates COVID, although I think that's when we saw a big hit.15700:15:51,540 --> 00:15:56,670So when you think about how much need exists right now, everything's more... more expensive.15800:15:56,970 --> 00:16:02,580Um, you know, housing, education. Uh, even even the basics of life, like food.15900:16:02,910 --> 00:16:06,060Um, uh, food and shelter are challenge for people.16000:16:06,240 --> 00:16:12,750So added. Uh, that's what makes every one of our gifts of whatever, whatever amount or whatever quantity,16100:16:12,900 --> 00:16:16,940so much more important because it's going to help fill a gap that really exists.16200:16:16,940 --> 00:16:21,120So again, just, uh, whatever we could do makes a difference.16300:16:21,750 --> 00:16:27,989So I've got one final question for each of you. Uh, Pep, I'm going to start with you, but I'm going to ask you each the same question.16400:16:27,990 --> 00:16:32,040So let's wrap up with, uh, one final thought from each of you.16500:16:32,280 --> 00:16:36,510What message would you leave with employees as they consider giving this year?16600:16:36,930 --> 00:16:39,959Uh, you know, I'd start out, but just just reminding, um,16700:16:39,960 --> 00:16:45,600locating on some of the themes that we've already already heard here and just reminding that, you know, this this campaign is really about,16800:16:45,810 --> 00:16:52,250uh, our employees and what they voluntarily elect to do for, um, for the community,16900:16:52,270 --> 00:16:57,900the communities where we're, you know, uh, um, happy to, to be residents and call home.17000:16:58,230 --> 00:17:04,590We've raised, um, more than $10 million in voluntary, uh, giving that's employees who, uh,17100:17:04,590 --> 00:17:11,030without coercion or any kind of other issues have volunteered to, um, provide support.17200:17:11,040 --> 00:17:19,570And, uh, I think that speaks volumes to what you've heard here, the generous spirit of of the people, uh, that work here, the what...17300:17:19,860 --> 00:17:26,640the need that people recognize, because I see it walking in to their clinics and their offices, um, uh, into the classrooms.17400:17:26,820 --> 00:17:29,430So the needs there, people recognize it.17500:17:29,430 --> 00:17:36,720And this is a, uh, the campaign is a way that we've, uh, use for, again, for more than 30 years to kind of reach out and give back. April....17600:17:37,080 --> 00:17:42,200I'm just simply going to say, you know, your gift is about your heart is a gift from the heart.17700:17:42,210 --> 00:17:52,380It's not about the amount. Do what you can. Um, but do... you know, just just participate and get involved and support our community.17800:17:52,380 --> 00:17:57,150Support the campaign. Um, and if you have any questions, you know, just let us know.17900:17:57,570 --> 00:18:02,040Tilly, how about you? I think when I think about the employees across the campuses,18000:18:02,310 --> 00:18:11,370I know that they all work here because the feeling that we have with our mission, the way that we help people across the state,18100:18:11,820 --> 00:18:18,680and I think this is just one more way for us to show the generosity that we feel every day,18200:18:18,690 --> 00:18:23,909the hope that we feel every day, and the way that we want to help everyone around us.18300:18:23,910 --> 00:18:26,910And this is one way together that we can make a difference.18400:18:27,300 --> 00:18:33,120Well, thank you, Pep, April, Tilly for sharing your insights and your leadership for everyone listening.18500:18:33,120 --> 00:18:36,960The campaign runs October 27th through November 24th.18600:18:37,260 --> 00:18:40,740And every gift, big or small, help strengthen our communities.18700:18:41,190 --> 00:18:53,130To make your pledge, learn more about charities or see upcoming outreach activities, visit utmb.edu/secc or or check out UTMB/SECC on Facebook.18800:18:53,640 --> 00:18:57,600Together, we can continue a proud legacy of generosity at UTMB.18900:18:57,990 --> 00:19:01,020Thank you for being a part of it. Thank you, Stephen. Thank you.19000:19:01,350 --> 00:19:04,670Thank you. Thank you for tuning in to The Pulse.19100:19:05,180 --> 00:19:10,400We hope you've gained valuable insights, discover new perspectives, and feel inspired by the stories shared today.19200:19:11,720 --> 00:19:14,900Please join us for future episodes to stay informed and connected.19300:19:15,080 --> 00:19:16,520Right here on The Pulse.
More Information
This episode features three UTMB advocates closely involved in coordinating SECC each year.
- Tilly Clark, Director of Presidential Affairs and Event Planning
- April Ciccarello, Manager for Community and Physician Engagement
- Pep Valdes, Director for Digital Communications
Employees can explore the complete list of more than 900 vetted charitable organizations through the SECC giving portal and choose the causes that matter most to them. For details on how to participate, visit the SECC site on the UTMB intranet or follow instructions available through your department’s SECC representative.