Suggestions re: operation of CASC
February 2, 2008 - 4:10pm
Dear Terry Glavin,
Thanks for your reply. As these matters concern the whole membership, I'm taking this to our Forum.
On the money, reimbursement of a volunteer for their time, if no other direct costs were involved, is not a strong reason for fund raising. If you want to encourage people to donate directly to Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (http://www.w4wafghan.ca) or other groups with a strong track record, that might be better than an amorphous collection by CASC that cannot offer a tax deductible receipt.
So far I haven't seen anything on the Forum that would embarrass anyone. Maybe the default should be that the public can read it, with the writer allowed a button to select "not for public viewing"?
As to the public responding, I agree that to keep our focus we don't want to engage here with the Afghanistan nay sayers. They have plenty of other press outlets. Anyone not a member can now write to us via http://www.afghanistan-canada-solidarity.org/contact, and whoever reads that can decide if their remarks are worth passing on. -Dick Gordon
February 2, 2008 - 7:33pm
#1
"On the money, reimbursement
"On the money, reimbursement of a volunteer for their time, if no other
direct costs were involved, is not a strong reason for fund raising. If
you want to encourage people to donate directly to Canadian Women for
Women in Afghanistan (http://www.w4wafghan.ca)
or other groups with a strong track record, that might be better than
an amorphous collection by CASC that cannot offer a tax deductible
receipt."
I agree.
Also agree with the bit about non-members writing.
February 18, 2008 - 2:59am
#2
Point of order
Respectfully, colleagues, it is true that allied groups in this area may be able to do more immediate good in the 'Stan than our infant Committee. But their mandates are not ours, and we need some money now to begin accomplishing our *specific* goal.
Which is the entrenchment of Canadian soldiers in defense of Karzai's federal Republic, and therefore political, isn't it? If "Stay" is our motto, then we are a lobby, not a charity, and as like-minded friends should put our own shoulders to the wheel, without asking for tax breaks/ subsidies from the same Government we're trying to influence.
So my view is, the PayPal button is a virtual hat we're passing around CASC right now, and we should all dig deep -- not just to reimburse volunteers, but because if we intend to succeed in the crucial next couple years, we may need to run a small office, or purchase media space, or start a publication, or research MP's statements, etc.
It's important we start mustering influence and changing minds ASAP, I think; and it should be doable from our own pockets. Let's not waste time regularising our organisational status, or duplicating our NGO friends' efforts in Afghani education, food supply and/or women's status; let's politically support the Western soldiering without which there is no hope or future for Afghanistan. It will take some money to do so. Let's pony up!
Sincerely,
L.
February 20, 2008 - 8:43pm
#3
careful what you wish for
You know what we need?
We need a committee of some kind, drawn from CASC member volunteers, to decide what to do with whatever money gets raised. I'm for sending everything but the absolute necessity straight to Afghanistan or CW4WA. But maybe that's just me.
I hate to start out with a "we need a committee" approach. But we do.
Lots of organization to attend to, come to think of it. So much o that, so little time.
February 26, 2008 - 9:12pm
#4
moving boxes?
Greetings all:
I'm good at meetings, and I know a litle bit about Roberts' rules of order. Typically, I get elected secretary, but I've kind of shied away from volunteerism for the past couple years.
Let me know when and where.
Anything reasonable will work.
Dan Hilborn
(kootenaydan)
