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Despite the year’s pandemic challenges, newly elected President of Greene County United Way’s Board of Directors, Joshuah Dains, is excited about what the future holds. 

“Something I’m excited about is all of the change going on in the world right now. Whenever incredible change like this is happening, that gives organizations and people the opportunity to do things differently and to step up to change and to try to figure out how to operate in that way,” Dains said. “As tough as it is, it also is exciting to some degree.”

Dains previously served as Treasurer of the Board (elected in 2018) and believes his past hands-on experience will help him succeed. Dains understands that his new position will not be easy with the pandemic. 

“Any leadership position right now is difficult at best,” Dains said. “But I feel like we really have a great board. Our board is very engaged; they’re passionate about the community. They’re excited to continue to dig in and see where we can be of assistance and help.” 

Along with the United Way, Dains serves on Waynesburg’s Rotary Board, is Treasurer of the Mason-Dixon Riders Association and serves on Waynesburg University’s Alumni Council. He also assisted with Greene County’s Emergency Fund, which raised $150,000 for nonprofits facing technology and other expenses due to Covid-19. 

“I try to be fairly active in the community,” Dains said. Dains, a class of 2015 alumnus of Waynesburg University, credits his passion of service to his experience at Waynesburg University.

At Waynesburg, Dains was President of the Student Senate, a member of multiple clubs and participated in many service trips. “I think when I was at Waynesburg, I did 10 or 11 service trips. I was a commuter, so basically I did service trips as like my substitution for living on campus,” Dains said. 

Dains explained some of the challenges United Way saw through the pandemic. “We are constantly having to think about, as the world around us is changing, how do we change also?” 

Even with the challenges from the pandemic and the continual closure of coal mines impacting financial resources, Dains feels the United Way has been able to adapt. 

“Well it’s been a struggle, but I think we’ve been able to adapt well. Mostly to the credit of our Executive Director Machal Forbes, she is wonderful and is working very hard.” 

Dains explained the main focus of Greene County’s United Way is to help local nonprofits. Last year, United Way distributed $40,000 in grants amongst 11 community nonprofits. They are hoping to do the same this year, and will be distributing community allocations this month. 

Dains credits his fellow board members for the success he’s had so far.

“It’s really about the team. As president, you can only do a little bit. You can kind of help steer the ship a little bit, maybe you’re the face of it, but it’s really the group of people I work with that make things happen,” he said. “I can’t do anything without Machal or our board members. I’m just a part of the puzzle, I’m not the puzzle.”