THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING-OR ELSE

ON THE JOB Giving money to charitable organizations is considered a private, honorable action-unless you’re in upper management at NCNB Texas, and you’re not giving enough money.

When that happens, NCNB’s big brass don’t hesitate to engage in some interoffice arm-twisting, according to an anonymous note and attached memo from a disgruntled NCNB staffer. After NCNB fell more than $50,000 short of its $900,000 challenge goal in the 1991 United Way campaign, President BOB LANE sent a scolding memo and a new pledge card to the 490 NCNBers ranked vice president and above who had contributed $120 or less. The angry bank mole calls that “coercion.”

“The combined contributions for this group were .13 [percent] of their annual salaries versus our recommended giving guideline of 1 [percent].” the memo read. “We are… asking them to consider raising their contribution to the equivalent of two soft drinks per day, or $10 per pay period.. . We would appreciate your. . .adding your strong endorsement/encouragement to the increased contribution.”

TIM HARTMAN, NCNB vice chairman and chief financial officer, says there is no required level of contribution and denies any coercion. “We were disappointed with not meeting our goal.” says Hartman, who co-signed the memo, “but it’s voluntary. Period.” Hartman said NCNB only encourages people to give what they can because, as he said over and over, “We’re very supportive of United Way. We’re very interested in United Way, and we sup port it wholly.” Obviously.