Retired1 said:
Thank you, Dave for modifying the thread so I can post this.
I voted for the Salvation Army as I believe that more of the money donated goes to the local distribution level than with the other options.
That said, I am totally opposed to blanket contributions as a group. There was no option for this on the poll. I would have voted in opposition if this were an option. I much prefer to make my donations directly to the recipient I believe is in need or will use my donation as I intend it to be used.
I will likely not join in any group donation, but I may. So, if I do, here are some questions I have:
Where is the money going to come from - my donations that I intended to keep ELB running? I hope not.
If the money is going to be collected (not the money donated to keep ELB operational) from the membership on a case by case determination, who is going to make the decision to collect funds?
Who is going to be the person holding the money in escrow until the decision is made that it is time to deliver it?
Who is going to make the decision to disburse the funds collected?
Will the funds go to a national headquarters or a local agency serving the individual disaster?
Will collections be made for an individual in need, a small local group in need, or a LODD?
If so, who will make those decisions and hold the funds until disbursed?
I have some other thoughts on this topic, but I will stop here as they are near redundant.
Terry
Very valid points. Nothing is anything close to being considered set in stone. Part of the idea behind the main thread (
http://elightbars.org/forums/f104/elightbars-org-official-care-packages-thoughts-opinions-wanted-50234/ ) is to get ideas or exact thoughts on HOW people wish to donate, should they feel so inclined. Whereas this thread, was geared towards exactly where/how they would like to see money go should they feel inclined ( which is why "opposed" wasn't one of the poll options, if you're opposed, it IS your money and your perogative, by all means don't participate [corallary, this isnt directed at anyone/chief, just a general statement] )
This again all falls back to needing/wanting user's input and thoughts on these ideas. Of the 10,480 members on the site, a mere 50 have viewed this thread. Of those 50, only 25 participated in the poll.
If anyone has thoughts or ideas as to how we'd like to donate financially, please by all means, whether you've voted or not, speak now. Chief brings up an excellent idea ( intentionally or not ) of simply posting the addresses of local companies in the area of a disaster; ie for the Moore Tornado as follows
Moore
FD: address
Moore Red Cross: address
Moore Hospital and Childrens Home: address
etc etc
This way members dont have to feel concerned over who is holding the money or they want to give, but the group "voted" for Red Cross but they dont like Red Cross so maybe I wont donate now, etc.......