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slac_vap
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« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2011, 01:43:13 PM » |
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I'm surprised to see so much venom towards United Way. There are plenty of things that I don't like about them, including that I don't support all the associated agencies, and I don't love being asked to donate money at work. I get around the first aspect by designating 100% of my donation to a specific agency that I do support. As for not loving being asked at work- well, honestly, I don't like being asked for money by anyone. But I'm not infuriated or insulted. I just don't like it. On the scale of stuff that bothers me, it's pretty far down there for me. I mean really, I can just say no (or not say anything and just toss the solicitation). I figure the good that is done outweighs the bad. Plenty of people would give to charity but just don't think about or know where to start, and United Way can be a way to break through some of that.
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"...the world between reality and fantasy improv nonsense is blurred in Columbus." -David Gaus
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alastrina
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« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2011, 02:00:18 PM » |
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I mean really, I can just say no (or not say anything and just toss the solicitation). I figure the good that is done outweighs the bad.
I go with "don't say anything and toss the solicitation" (3-4 times), delete the emails (~2 dozen), and say no when asked (2-3 times). I don't resent being asked. I resent being badgered. I also resent being looked down on at work for not donating. Apparently, the monetary donations to the Komen foundation, a lupus walk, and 2 no-kill shelters, the clothing donations to the SPCA thrift store, and books to the public library that I did on my own don't count. |
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"One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us." -Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel
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obprof
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« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2011, 02:14:41 PM » |
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I used to be on the board of a local non-profit. Despite a lot of good intentions, I don't think it was run very well. Not very efficient, not very effective, but a lot of good intentions.
That said, the fact that they received some funding from the UW kept them in line, a bit, in terms of maintaining better records and more consistent and up-to-date practices. The audits especially were very helpful.
I donate to the UW every year, now, but I wouldn't look askance at anyone who didn't. I think it's a really personal decision.
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offthemarket
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« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2011, 02:32:43 PM » |
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I don't donate through United Way because they knowingly affiliate with organizations that discriminate against gays and atheists.
If I want a charitable organization to have my money, I'll give it to them directly.
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tinyzombie
She of the Ass-Kicking Socks, and a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,439
elevate from this point on - chuck d
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« Reply #19 on: November 09, 2011, 04:03:18 PM » |
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I don't donate through United Way because they knowingly affiliate with organizations that discriminate against gays and atheists.
If I want a charitable organization to have my money, I'll give it to them directly.
Me too. |
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Correct, as usual, TZ. That's because you are not Dude. TZ, however, is Dude. TZ is my favorite. I wish YOU began with A. |
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al_wallace
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« Reply #20 on: November 14, 2011, 03:18:35 PM » |
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I don't donate through United Way because they knowingly affiliate with organizations that discriminate against gays and atheists.
If I want a charitable organization to have my money, I'll give it to them directly.
I don't like the boy scouts either. |
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westcoastgirl
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« Reply #21 on: November 20, 2011, 11:38:29 PM » |
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I do Red Cross, monthly deduction.
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Mountainguy (on rejection letter thread):
This sounds very Foucauldian. "You do not apply to search committee; the search committee applies to you!!"
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collegekidsmom
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« Reply #22 on: November 21, 2011, 12:18:29 AM » |
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It seems so awkward to be approached with this at work. It is a waste of paper and no way to opt out of the mailings for good. I do not want to be asked each year but have no say in the matter. I would prefer to separate charitable giving from work.
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tee_bee
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« Reply #23 on: November 21, 2011, 12:18:50 AM » |
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I don't give to the United Way for the simple fact I don't like to be bullied into giving. Actually, I don't even like to give, but when I do give--it's to specific things. I will not have the workplace dictate my charities.
My mom is exactly the same way. Years ago, when working or the LA Unified School District, she was pressured into donating to the "Combined Appeal" or whatever UW was at the time. She resents it to this day. I give through my state's payroll deduction system, where I can target my money. No money for the homophobic Boy Scouts; I generally give money to the charities whose work most pi$$es off our legislature. So planned parenthood and hippie-greenie groups, for the win. |
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oldfullprof
Not really retired...
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,755
Representation is not reproduction!
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« Reply #24 on: November 21, 2011, 01:06:42 AM » |
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1. They also bully local agencies.
2. I won't give to them because of past scandals concerning mistresses and pieds a terre.
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Someone please tell me to start entering data, rather than screwing off here.
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tee_bee
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« Reply #25 on: November 21, 2011, 09:30:48 PM » |
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1. They also bully local agencies.
2. I won't give to them because of past scandals concerning mistresses and pieds a terre.
I think they cleaned up #2. #1, I am not so sure. |
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kohelet
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« Reply #26 on: November 23, 2011, 07:27:22 AM » |
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It's certainly still the case here, as well intentioned as it may be. Our UW (like all of the local affiliates, I think) goes through elaborate goal setting processes every couple of years and develops grand strategies for addressing the prioritized community problems. To their credit, they do a good job of involving a lot of people and feeding lots of data into the process. However, these grand strategies then become the tail that wags the nonprofit-sector-dog. It takes what is otherwise a somewhat competitive, organic, innovative, differentiated local nonprofit sector and tries to make it neat and organized. Collaboration and nonduplication of services is prioritized over competition, innovation, and risk taking. The local nonprofits that line up for their hand outs (which, again, are minuscule proportions of their total revenue) absolutely bend over backwards (or maybe just, ahem, bend over) to get this funding. They take existing programs and contort them to fit the new strategies, and they spend all kinds of time re-engineering their data management to prepare for the new UW reporting requirements.
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