Members of the Tocqueville Leadership Society are our community's leading philanthropists, caring for those in need. Our community's 222 members, while comprising only a small fraction of United Way of Forsyth County's donors, contributed over $3.2 million toward the 2007 campaign, representing over 17% of the overall total! We are proud to recognize the generosity of these givers.

Nationally, the Society has 20,111 members who gave more than $400 million last year to local United Ways. The Tocqueville Leadership Society is named for a French historian and aristocrat who traveled around the United States in 1831. His keen observations formed the basis of his book, "Democracy in America", in which he praised the way Americans help each other in times of need. Our local chapter of the Society was established in 1987 by Paul Fulton, Jr. for individuals contributing $10,000 or greater a year.

United Way is proud to recognize more than 4,200 Leadership Circle members in the 2008 edition of "Leaders in Giving." Their leadership contributions truly provide both the financial resources and inspiration to help our United Way achieve its mission.

If you would like a copy of the Leaders in Giving recognition booklet, please call Jacqueline Taylor at 721-9317 or e-mail her at jackie.taylor@uwforsyth.org

For more information on the national Tocqueville Leadership Society, visit www.tocquevillesociety.org

Paul Fulton Tocqueville Leadership Society Award

The Tocqueville Leadership Society involves and deepens the understanding, commitment and support of the community's most affluent individuals and recognizes the deep commitment to service exemplified by the Tocqueville Leadership Society Award. Membership in the Society is granted to individuals who contribute at least $10,000 annually to United Way. Paul Fulton was instrumental in establishing the local Tocqueville Leadership Society in 1987. The Award was renamed in 1997 to recognize his extraordinary volunteerism.

2008 Recipient: Edwin L. Welch, Jr.

The Paul Fulton Tocqueville Leadership Society Award is presented annually by the Society to an outstanding volunteer who has demonstrated untiring commitment, visionary leadership, resourcefulness and creativity in meeting the needs of our community.

Ed Welch is president of I. L. Long Construction Company, a large, general contracting firm with projects in more than 20 states and abroad. Despite his business commitments, however, Ed gives generously of his time to his community, his church, and to many who just need a helping hand.

A native of Winston-Salem, Ed attended Wake Forest University where he distinguished himself academically and as a member of the Demon Deacon football team.

A long-time United Way volunteer, Ed served as chair of the 2005 Campaign, an effort that produced over $700,000 in new dollars. He was United Way of North Carolinas 2005 Volunteer of the Year.

Ed is also active with United Ways partner agencies.  He has served on The Salvation Army Advisory Board for more than a decade, and is a long-time supporter of Exchange/SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now).

He is a champion of education, serving on the boards of Forsyth Technical Community College and North Carolina State Universitys Engineering Foundation. Ed formerly served on Wake Forest Universitys Board of Visitors. He was the recipient of the 2004 North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Award.

Ed serves on the executive committee of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerces Board of Directors. He has also chaired the board of the local Better Business Bureau and served on its national council.

He and his wife Sue live in Advance. They have three adult children: Win, Rob, and Heather; and five grandchildren: Caroline, Edwin, Henry, Sarah Catherine, and David.

Ed personifies and promotes the Tocqueville Leadership Societys mission and vision. His heartfelt commitment to improve lives is apparent in his every action and it is amazingly contagious. He leads by example. His leadership and humility inspire those around him to new levels of performance and giving.  He is truly a deserving recipient of the 2008 Paul Fulton Tocqueville Leadership Society Award.

Previous Recipients

1987 Ann C. Ring
1988 Paul Fulton, Jr.
1989 Dalton D. Ruffin
1990 R. Edwin Shelton
1991 James Gordon Hanes, Jr.
1992 Douglas R. Lewis
1993 Les and Evelyn Riley
1994 Dr. Richard Janeway
1995 Jack F. Ward
1996 Henry A. Brown, Jr.
1997 Victor I. Flow, Jr.
1998 J. Walter McDowell
1999 James K. Glenn, Sr.
2000 John A. Piazza
2001 Murray C. Greason
2002 John W. Burress III
2003 Leslie M. Baker, Jr.
2004 Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr.
2005 Arthur Tab Williams, Jr.
2006 Donald E. Flow
2007 Florence P. Corpening