Phyl.

8th Sep 2011
7:02am
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I have learnt Nautilus we should all be talking far more and asking

asking questions as being complacent and thinking everything is o.k.

is not good enough.

Accountability being the operable word in my book.

Blame lies with many and probably all of us in one way or another

even if it is just 1%  where children in orphanages and Senior

folk in Nursing Homes are concerned. We cannot presume people are doing

the right thing by them with what they present to visitors and

over the phone sadly.

..

Anything anyone has to say on this subject is very worthwhile

as so many of us just did not know. Ostriches? probably :(

I know I need educating but sadly too late for Peter's Mum :(

Have a good day

There is a lot to be said about how charities raise

their finances to 'HELP' those in need.

Do the methods used, as in some of these posts,

be the result of negativity towards charities in general?

resulting in less donations. Pushing them to be business

orientated instead of volunteers?

We all complain about collectors either at the door or

on the phone. Why not just select the charities you wish

to donate to, and notify others not to send material to you?

are all big charities not the same.

Why not just simply check what any specific charity achieves

in helping those in need, financially,with accomadation,

mental health etc. Why complain about how they raise funds

if you do not get involved

Why throw the baby out with the bath water. because of some

aspects not liked.

Good post Seth,  There is good and bad in all of these organisations but how many families would struggle to buy clothes if these organisations did not exist.The shop I work in has a paid superviser but is manned completely by volunteers .I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of the general public that keep the donations coming. I know that we have people bring in a pile of clothing but then buy armfulls of stuff while they are there. It has become more recycling and I know that because our prices are kept so low people tend to support us rather than the Salvos as this comment I hear very often wobbly

Hi All,

I do not wish to hi jack this thread but asking about health care I will try and provide a short summary of some of the issues that can be addressed easily by organisations and should/might reduce the costs of services in the long term by eliminating repeat support that goes nowhere and helps no one really.

Of course, we need to support our charities and I do not begrudge this in any way. However, the use of the available funds and donation to assist those in need or help must to be transparent and accountable. I do not support the opportunism used to get cheap labour, etc.  It is with some concern I view what were charitable organisations change and instead of the priority of helping it changes to asset increasing for the organisation.

Planned carefully we can better use those funds.

I will provide an example.

After alleged retirement :), (I can spell it) I was asked would take on the accounting for an youth emergency accommodation organisation.

As it meant travelling nearly 100 ks every day and I am in my seventies with some health issues I said I could not take it on but would be willing to sit in on some sessions where we could look at some options.

Attending a meeting with the committee and I said what I was going to discuss should not be taken personally but for them to think over the questions.

1. Why are you on this committee?

Is it because it is nice to be seen doing good for those more unfortunate.

Or do you have something positive to contribute.

2 What skills do you and the other bring to the committee?

Do you need other skills and where can you tap in to get them?

I noted they had stated they had set aside $800 for training but proudly said they had only spent $200.

My advice was to look at that claim. Did the saving of the $600 prove to be a real saving when training in all areas was a need.

E.g. The committee although committed did not fully understand financial statement. Here was an area for a training programme to understand and analyse their finances.

The organisation had a good bookkeeper on their staff perhaps some upgrading of skills in this area would benefit.

Next were the youth workers, social workers, etc. although qualified did the organisation have a programme where those skills and knowledge were continually being upgraded or refreshed.

Then there was what in my view the most important area. The clients.

Was the organisation happy just to provide emergency accommodation for a designated period and then put them back on the street?

Alternatively would they be interested in providing some training in areas where they might be able to become independent and employable.

Areas of Training might be to lock into driver training courses so the client/s might get a licence and perhaps gain employment as a driver delivery goods.

forklift, back hoe drivers, front end loaders, etc are other areas of training.

Then there is the home area where training in budgets, cooking, home hygiene, sewing, gardening etc.

These are some of the areas that are often overlooked that could easily be opportunities to improve employment opportunities as well as increase the quality of life. The list can on and on.

At one time I worked as a consultant developing such programmes and many of them went on to success and in some instances the clients became owners of small business enterprises.

I could write a book just on that period, but for now my aim is to provide some idea of how we can help and at the same time use available funds better. Experience with some organisations they start at the top and secure themselves and the funding trickles down to the bottom where there is little available.

And, importantly treat your clients with respect and courtesy, not as someone who should be grateful for the privilege of being treated as sub human.  Remember you may one day be in that situation of needing help.

In this day of a poor global economy, you may be an executive living the high life and tomorrow unemployed in an overloaded market and with a high debt.   Remember “but for the grace of God it might be me”.  I am not religious.  That was beaten out of me when I was a child but I respect my fellow man.

This is such a sad situation isn't it , and in some cases makes you ashamed to be part of the human race  

Professoriau, Well explained article, As you say

specialised traing  in your suggested ares are needed.

Then the question of funding comes in, as we all know

not everyone is thrilled to donate Some even get hostile

at a request, when it is not a crime to just say ,no thanks.

You quite rightly point out that no one knows when or if

they will need help from a charity, but knowing there is help

however little it may be, could be a life saver..

I have found over the years that most of those who volunteer

have a very close understanding of those seeking help.

Today with high mortgages and no certainty of holding a job

which could cause the loss of a home and force them to seek

help.

As you say, I am not religious but strive to be a Christian.