GKTW peer pressure

[limace]

I was thinking Of how to encourage folks to donate and wondered about the option of having some sort of banner/medallion tab could be added to folks' dis user profile (like the tag fairy) for a donation of a certain amount. "I gave to GKTW! You should, too!". Different colors for different levels, even. Nothing like a little positive peer pressure .

Thanks for all your work for this cause, guys.

 

[WaDiWo]

I was thinking Of how to encourage folks to donate and wondered about the option of having some sort of banner/medallion tab could be added to folks' dis user profile (like the tag fairy) for a donation of a certain amount. "I gave to GKTW! You should, too!". Different colors for different levels, even. Nothing like a little positive peer pressure .

Thanks for all your work for this cause, guys.

I think this is a great idea!

 

[kaligal]

In a million years, I would not brag about donating.

I know they do wonderful work. I hope the raise the $1,000,000

But bragging about donating money...it just seems wrong.

 

[GAN]

In a million years, I would not brag about donating.

I know they do wonderful work. I hope the raise the $1,000,000

But bragging about donating money...it just seems wrong.

In general I agree with you 100% -for instance people who donate money to an organization, then want the new building to have their name on it. I've always said, never put someones name on something until after they're dead -that way they can't embarrass you somehow. However, I think this is a little different and would agree it's a good idea but don't care for the amounts donated to be differentiated. If you donate, you get a badge(or something) -no donation is more important than another. Someone giving $10 could be more of a sacrifice than another giving $1000 ..if you catch my drift.

 

[limace]

In a million years, I would not brag about donating.

I know they do wonderful work. I hope the raise the $1,000,000

But bragging about donating money...it just seems wrong.

If some people bragging gets some people to donate who wouldn't have otherwise, I'd think it was worth it. I guess I see it less as bragging and more as a friendly challenge to our peers. Public radio does the same thing on their pledge drives, and I know when I hear on the radio that a friend or neighbor has donated, I'm more likely to finally get off my butt and donate myself. The boards do something similar with badges for folks who are sponsors or donors to the boards.

 

[SamSam]

If some people bragging gets some people to donate who wouldn't have otherwise, I'd think it was worth it. I guess I see it less as bragging and more as a friendly challenge to our peers. Public radio does the same thing on their pledge drives, and I know when I hear on the radio that a friend or neighbor has donated, I'm more likely to finally get off my butt and donate myself. The boards do something similar with badges for folks who are sponsors or donors to the boards.

I see your point and agree with it to a certain extent. Where I see a problem is if some people become intimidated/embarrassed because they see that someone has donated $100, $200 or more and they had planned on donating $10 but now they may feel a little uncomfortable doing so.

To me any amount $1 or more is a contribution and a good thing. It all adds up. I could be completely wrong, I just think it could make some possible donors hesitate if they know the amount they donated is going to be 'published'.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I see your point and agree with it to a certain extent. Where I see a problem is if some people become intimidated/embarrassed because they see that someone has donated $100, $200 or more and they had planned on donating $10 but now they may feel a little uncomfortable doing so.

To me any amount $1 or more is a contribution and a good thing. It all adds up. I could be completely wrong, I just think it could make some possible donors hesitate if they know the amount they donated is going to be 'published'.

Ditto this.

I don't think pressuring anyone is a good idea. Lots of people come to the DISboards from many walks of life. Some are very low-income and cannot afford to donate $10 anywhere. Others may have causes that are near and dear to them.

It is GREAT to be able to give to GKTW. I do it as often as I can. But I don't expect everyone to just because they like the DIS.

 

[kaligal]

If some people bragging gets some people to donate who wouldn't have otherwise, I'd think it was worth it. I guess I see it less as bragging and more as a friendly challenge to our peers. Public radio does the same thing on their pledge drives, and I know when I hear on the radio that a friend or neighbor has donated, I'm more likely to finally get off my butt and donate myself. The boards do something similar with badges for folks who are sponsors or donors to the boards.

I'm sure your heart is in the right place. And I'll bet there are people who could be pressured into giving money. I'm not one of them. Even in middle school, I wasn't one who caved due to peer pressure. I've always been far less inclined to give anything at all to people who are attempting to pressure me.

But there is a reason playbills are full of names...and it isn't that people don't want credit for donating money! There are lots of people who really, really want others to know that they've donated and exactly how much, too.

It seems wrong to me. I prefer to do my donating anonymously. Not being named also keeps you off lists. . Although, I attempted to donate anonymously to something online and began receiving emails from the benefitted organization, which ticked me off. So, I learned not to donate online.

I think that if some people want to do this, that is great. You could even make up your own badge.

But do remember that some people might have given and don't wish to brag about it...so the lack of the, "I gave money and you should, too!" statement doesn't indicate a lack of actual donation. And folks who wish to not have such a thing should be granted their privacy.

 

[CherylA]

I was thinking Of how to encourage folks to donate and wondered about the option of having some sort of banner/medallion tab could be added to folks' dis user profile (like the tag fairy) for a donation of a certain amount. "I gave to GKTW! You should, too!". Different colors for different levels, even. Nothing like a little positive peer pressure .

Thanks for all your work for this cause, guys.

I think this is a great idea. I don't think there should be different levels but just a "I donated" badge of some sort. Even if you can't give much everyone can give something.

 

[kaligal]

I think this is a great idea. I don't think there should be different levels but just a "I donated" badge of some sort. Even if you can't give much everyone can give something.

Everyone can't. Some people are out of work. They can't pay their mortgage. They have no cable, no Internet and the electric bill is a month behind.

Some people had cancer and took a ton of time off of work for chemo, draining their savings...and they're drowning in medical bills.

Some people have a dead sister and are suddenly thrown into taking care of her children, even though they weren't prepared financially for it.

Some people just have crappy jobs and can't afford to give anything to anyone.

There are a million reasons people might not be able to donate.

I'd hate for them to feel they were being judged for not doing so.

I understand wanting to encourage donations. I think it's great! And it is a worthy cause!

I also understand that fundraisers can't afford to take No for an answer...but that is why fundraisers tend to have very thick skin. This not caring about the people they're hitting up can lead to hard feelings.

When fundraising in a social setting, it's a much finer line than regular old "Take No Prisioners" fundraising. It might be better not to pressure or judge.

 

[CherylA]

I will have to respectfully disagree that not everyone can give something. Even if it's a dollar. There have been people in the worst of circumstances who have still been able to find it in themselves and their nonexistant budget to give a tiny bit. I'm also quite confident that these forums are not a place where someone without a donation banner will be shunned if they can not or choose not to donate. It would just be nice little way to pick up the fundraising a bit, in my opinion.

 

[kaligal]

I will have to respectfully disagree that not everyone can give something. Even if it's a dollar. There have been people in the worst of circumstances who have still been able to find it in themselves and their nonexistant budget to give a tiny bit. I'm also quite confident that these forums are not a place where someone without a donation banner will be shunned if they can not or choose not to donate. It would just be nice little way to pick up the fundraising a bit, in my opinion.

Would you agree, even if you think they are wrong, that there are people who think, "Good God, I cannot pay the mortgage, all my utilities have been disconnected, I'm about to be homeless...I NEED charity and can't afford to be giving money away!"

Again, even if you think they're wrong...some people might think they can't afford it?

 

[CherylA]

Would you agree, even if you think they are wrong, that there are people who think, "Good God, I cannot pay the mortgage, all my utilities have been disconnected, I'm about to be homeless...I NEED charity and can't afford to be giving money away!"

Again, even if you think they're wrong...some people might think they can't afford it?

I don't think those people's biggest concern then is whether or not they have a banner on the DIS Boards and as I said, given the compassion of this community I can not see people being shunned for not having a banner.

 

[hockeymomNS]

I think this is a great idea. I don't think there should be different levels but just a "I donated" badge of some sort. Even if you can't give much everyone can give something.

I fully agree. If the arguement is to be made that some can't afford to donate anything, then I challenge this......mail me $1.00, just $1.00 will buy you 2 silent auction ballots at my GKTW fundraiser. If you win, I will pay for postage to mail you your prize.

IMO it is as easy as that. I think that as a community, the DIS has committed to raising this money and a community works together. Obviously some have more than others, but I have no doubt that everyone in here has at least $1.00 plus post to send it to Canada.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I fully agree. If the arguement is to be made that some can't afford to donate anything, then I challenge this......mail me $1.00, just $1.00 will buy you 2 silent auction ballots at my GKTW fundraiser. If you win, I will pay for postage to mail you your prize.

IMO it is as easy as that. I think that as a community, the DIS has committed to raising this money and a community works together. Obviously some have more than others, but I have no doubt that everyone in here has at least $1.00 plus post to send it to Canada.

No offense to you, but I think that's a silly assumption.

 

[hockeymomNS]

No offense to you, but I think that's a silly assumption.

What part is silly?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

What part is silly?

The assumption that everyone has a dollar plus postage to give to charity. There have definitely been points in my life where I have not had that.

 

[hockeymomNS]

That being said, then you probably do not have a computer nor internet.......possibly another silly assumption.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

That being said, then you probably do not have a computer nor internet.......possibly another silly assumption.

Um, yeah. Lots of people have old computers and public Wifi.

 

[limace]

Man, folks, I did not mean this to become a big argument. I am not talking about shaming people. I'm not talking about supporting people to be better than others.

When I see the badges that some folks have saying that their are supporters or sponsors of the boards, I don't feel ashamed or lesser-than, I just think "Yay, them! Nice job!".

When I see folks' tickers to vacations that are more expensive than my family can afford this year, or that include their multiple DVC contracts, I don't feel inadequate or like I should be embarassed. I don't think we should ban these tickers just because they might make someone feel bad who can't afford it.

ALL I was suggesting was some visual symbol that could be added to the screen, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE IT, to say you donated to GKTW. It could perhaps link the Power of 10 page if someone clicked on it, so anyone curious could go check it out, learn about it, and possibly donate money themselves. I hear about GKTW all the time because I listen to the podcast religiously, but most folks on this site aren't podcast listeners, and I think it's just one more way to get the word out.

Obviously, if you don't want to donate, don't. If you prefer to donate anonymously, rock on! If you can't afford it right now, then I wish you all the best, and hope things turn around for your family soon.