I agree with the above statement.  The United Way campaigns I have been associated with (and there have been many) always involved admonitions from United Way staff that coercion or anything approaching coercion must be avoided.  Instead, campaign volunteers are trained to persuade and make the case.  For rather obvious reasons it is not in the United Way's interest to create ill-will by using coercive tactics.  That said, I know that some managers, especially middle managers, can be tempted to push too hard in order to bring in results pleasing to his seniors.  This phenomenon is considered a problem by United Ways since it leads to brand impairment and exactly the kind criticisms displayed on this page.