Some interesting points raised since I went offline.
Norman H wrote: and we might as well turn the clock back to the time when the job was being better done by government. A truly not for profit organisation.
I was on a Sustrans ride last year helping out, I said to the ride leader ( whilst talking about funding of the ride ) you won't like what I'm about to say but I think Sustrans shouldn't be a charity but part of a government department covering all aspects of "green" human powered transport and its infrastructure. From me, a government decrier, quite unusual but I stated that I would not have it run by typical government civil servants, rather those who know what is needed ( we could all name a few candidates ). I feel thats where government dept's fail, when appointed by those ignorant to what they are overseeing and have little foresight. As in my previous post I feel the fighting for funds by many charities can defeat the common cause of them in unity. It's a shame we view so many aspects of life in his way. A well run knowledgeable, informed dept would perform all the necessary tasks with a guaranteed budget( in my utopian, non austerity twaddle, government ).
Norman H wrote: Better still give your time rather than your money. An ethic that many who presently take money out of the charity sector would do well to follow.
Yes this then allows you to see exactly the result of your efforts, if you can, and you know the value of the currency... time. Many CEO's would, if going into a charity environment for ethical reasons, take a very small salary and also join in with volunteering activities. But for most, if not all, it's just another job. I do like, from a volunteering aspect, to see the paid employees of the charity getting involved and getting hands dirty. Sometimes volunteers can be seen as a means to undertaking the tasks no one else wants to do.
TonyR wrote: "get my friends to sponsor my foreign cycling holiday in the name of charity fundraising"
Yes this is a little galling. I also found the opposite in that there were many good rides where a charity could have used my body to promote their cause( in the nicest possible taste
), but I could not get involved as I could not have raised the sponsorship to cover my entry costs( from lack of a good social network ). Today with the internet many use just giving etc and perhaps there is more scope. If I was a multimillionaire I'd be off doing all manner of charitable things, if people wanted my help. Just good fun - a win win all around.
Where wills are concerned I have some serious planning to work out as to how my wishes will be carried out. As indicated a worthy cause may change it's values several years after your demise to something you wouldn't approve of. Anyway we'll be in paradise so who cares
.
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