Re: Boiling Mad

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: : Gosh, Seamus, thanks for this information.  I will, from now on, give directly to the Red Cross rather than designating that my contribution go to them through United Way.  Our school system is always a part of the local United Way campaign and they do sometimes make you feel guilty by not contributing.  Your insight and informagion is now stored in my little brain for future reference.  Thanks again.  

: : Theresa

: : P.S.  I'm still very grateful to the Red Cross for all of their efforts in our personal tragedy.  I pray that no one will ever have to call upon them.
: : ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

: : 
: : : : : : This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "give 'til it hurts".

: : : : : : Marc

: : : : : 
: : : : : I wouldn't let this one story dissuade anybody from supporting the Red Cross. Having gone through several hurricanes on the coast of South Carolina, I know that both that organization and the Salvation Army made life livable for thousands of folks who were displaced and left homeless by floods. There are bad apples in every bushel...but they're not the majority.

: : : : : christina

: : : : 
: : : : I was a little taken aback myself when I read in one of the
: : : : news magazines that one of the victims was going to get
: : : : help paying her $3,000 a month mortgage and the $500 a month
: : : : payment on her Volvo. Hmmmm. However, my solution was to
: : : : earmark my donations for the police and firefighters
: : : : families ONLY. I also gave money to my local volunteer
: : : : firefighters. Anytime you're dealing with millions and
: : : : millions of dollars you're going to start seeing a lot
: : : : of greed and ugliness begin to surface, I'm afraid.
: : : : And like another poster said, don't neglect all your
: : : : local charities -- foodbanks, women's shelters, animal
: : : : rescue associations ... they may not be near Ground
: : : : Zero, but they desperately need help just the same.

: : : : Doc M

: : : $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

: : : Hello all,

: : : Having spent over 20 years of my working career in YMCA work, from Department Head to Executive Directorships, I will give you the benefit of some of the things I learned about United Way(s) and how they operate.
: : : First, most local United Way Agencies have, included in their membership, a few agencies, organizations, groups, etc., which have no business being there. They belong because they are someone's pet and happen to have the proper IRS exemption. Those agencies spend little of their United Way $$ on their constituents and most of it on the leadership.
: : : Secondly, there are member agencies who double or triple dip. That is, they belong to several United Ways and get funds from each. Alledgedly, they apply to each using ONLY the membership figures, budget figures, etc., for that part of their entire membership. This does not always happen. They have been known to falsify figures just for budget hearings.
: : : Thirdly...speaking of budget hearings...We annually had to sit before a  review panel with a budget, supported with documentation, and request an allotment. We were grilled thoroughly, I can assure you, and the Budget Committee was a tough bunch of folks. I dreaded that inquisition annually. However, it made me feel good knowing that at least my request was legitimate, and I could rest assured that the double/triple dippers would also be subjected to the microscope.
: : : What does all this mean? It means that each local United way is an autonomous group which operates under guidelines set by the United Way of America. Each member agency...Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, Boy /Girl Scouts, hospital auxiliary, etc., etc....is funded by the local, and each local is as good as its leadership. This can run the gamut of excellent to poor. I have seen every range.

: : : These types of "Funds" tend to be top heavy. The head offices tend to be perk rich. I have no doubt or reservation of the intent, but when lots of $$ are involved, things CAN get out of hand. It has been too long since I saw how much of the contributed dollar actually made it to the local kid, but I am sure it was around 60 cents of the dollar came home. 

: : : I have, ever since I left YMCA work in 1983, not contributed one cent to United Way. I make my contributions DIRECT to my favorite Agencies. That way they receive 100%  of my dollars. And just as a little side note:

: : : Do not be talked into giving an earmarked contribution to your Agency or charity as YOUR United Way contribution. (For one thing, it is illegal to be coerced,chastised or penalized
: : :  by an employer concerning participation in the United Way or any giving program.) The local United way will reduce the allocation amount to the Agency by the amount of your contribution. That is, if you give $100.00 to the Red Cross, earmarked to them through your United Way, and they have allocated $5000.00 to the Red Cross in your town, the Red Cross will receive $4900 from the United Way and your $100.00. If you give it directly to your Red Cross Chapter, they will get a total of $5100.00! That is a $200 swing!

: : : Agencies which help people in time of need are wonderful and all do a good job. They struggle with dollars...I know...been there etc. Because they trust people they often get taken advantage of, that happens, unfortunately. Human nature.......not everyone is as ethical as they should be. And that's sad.....

: : : I think anyone who cheats any Human Service Agency should be prosecuted and made very public, made to reimburse any overages, and never again be eligible to receive any funds from a United Way Agency. However, that will not happen, so let's just publicize the daylights out of abuse cases so everyone knows who these cheats and greedy people are.

: : : Seamus

: 
: Seamus:
: I will follow your advice and continue the practice I started of giving ONLY directly to the agencies. I always have been suspicious of bureaucracies...
: The other thing I do is in local or regional disasters, I take requested supplies directly to the agency requesting them. The Salvation Army, during Hurricane Floyd, pulled up vans in the parking lots of businesses along the Coast and collected blankets, towels,canned soup and food, cleaning supplies, etc. etc. They were able to tell you right then exactly who and where these supplies were going to, i.e. "These are the for the folks who were flooded out in Conway..." That "hands-on" knowledge was a big comfort as well. Organizations like animal shelters, women's shelters, etc. etc. always have supplies they need, and sometimes that can make a donor feel more comfortable than handing over a check they're not sure for what....Just an idea. 
: Christina 


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