I would like to suggest that Gather create an opportunity for people to donate their points to worthy causes, regardless of the contributor's national residence. My suggestion is that it be anonymous. In other words, that the one donating his or her points cannot prescribe where and how the points are distributed (for that might open it to abuse... and headaches for Gather staff), but that the contributions be transparent, with Gather publishing a quarterly economic report that describes how the funds were distributed without necessarily disclosing who contributed what. -How much was actually received... How much went into overhead, etc.
Having once been the chief executive officer for a US non-profit organization, I know that Gather's efforts here certainly would be tax-deductible from its home base in Massachusetts. Gather also would benefit greatly, both at the grassroots level of those who are helped by such donations, and through a greater awareness of Gather within the Internet's social consciousness. It also would have a reciprocal product recognition advantage to the corporations who issue the coupons.
It could also be a lot of fun, in a democratic way, with Gather also doing a quarterly article asking its membership to suggest worthy causes, with the top suggestions then being whittled down through one of Gather's surveys.
I recently had the pleasure of participating in such an idea, and here is how the recipient - who is restoring a bayou home in Louisiana damaged by hurricanes Katrina as well as Andrew and Rita - responded: "...just running in here from painting the outside of the house ... I received $175 worth of Gather home depot coupons just today and am very thrilled!!! ...Thanks so much again for your generosity. I'm glad that Gather came through and believe me it will come in so handy - I desperately need a fan and of course so many other things - ceiling tiles, paint on and on..." (from email dated: Mon 8/11/2008 10:19 PM)
This Gather member just wrote me again after seeing the article in an email prior to my posting it: "The hurricanes took a toll on people's spirits. Mama used to say that she could still feel the hurricane blowing inside of her - this was back when Andrew devastated this area... So, everything really helps the spirit and this beloved old house..."
As some might remember, I locked horns with Gather several weeks ago when two issues came to a head at one time. One of those issues is that the points being generated by non-USA residents sit in a Gather no-man's land. Those points actually represent a reciprocal economic agreement between advertisers and Gather Inc., and each person who participates at Gather is party to the economic gains of both Gather Inc. and the corporations who advertise on Gather and issue coupons.
What do you think?
I'm confident that any mechanical problems in this idea can easily be resolved through the creative savvy we have gathered here. Also, this article represents how one can criticize a corporate policy, and transform that criticism to something that benefits all parties and the world at large in several concrete ways.
Such efforts often also can feel like poetry for the soul.
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.
--Abraham Lincoln
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Comments: 63
Don't see ANY reason Gather should or would turn it down.
In todays world organizations that don't do such things are
not considered good corporate "World Citizens".Hopefully Gather would keep the admin. costs below 5%, and not take advantage of the program.
Great Idea BL!
I gave you a ten
Please read
This
You've certainly got my vote.
More along those lines at: Writers and readers to the rescue on Gather
Sam, exactly right. Also, I encourage you and everyone else to read what John-Philip wrote in his article at
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977406315
Esther, thanks for your vote of confidence.
Penny, Lena, Chuck, Karen and Connitta, tusind tak! (means 1000 thanks in Danish)
Neil, that is so right
Nancy, have you any links to sites that do so. Sorry, I'm sure I could simply google that, but I am more busy than anyone realizes.
If I've left anyone out, please kick me in the behind...
Bent, $175? How do you earn so much?
Diana, it takes a lot of hard work to keep up with many conversations here, and to write articles and stories people like... and to be open to criticism. But it paid off. I can't tell you how good it felt for me to receive those letters of gratitude from deep in the bayou. Imagine us all getting such letters from the most remote regions of the world... and from our own backyards. There's a lot more suffering in the world than we wish to see sometimes, and often just a simple gesture is all it takes to empower those who can a difference.
It is the pure engines of creativity... there's so much we can do with all of our creative talents if Gather is amenable.
It will give us all perhaps a new and brighter purpose when we sign on each time and engage the gather community.
As I wrote above: It could also be a lot of fun, in a democratic way, with Gather also doing a quarterly article asking its membership to suggest worthy causes, with the top suggestions then being whittled down through one of Gather's surveys.
Also, only US residents now have the option of doing anything at all with their points. That's about 4 1/2% of the world's population. I am in a direct conversation with gather Inc. to make this work somehow.
This post belongs in a gather help group or Making a Better Gather group.
If I offended you, as you suggest, then I am truly very sorry, Elizabeth.
Something different.