Is it okay to put family first? (Response to royal family stuff)

[Princessclab]

Seems to be a fairly common job description at many nonprofits. Seems to be more about strategy in positioning an organization's resources.

That being said, he brings a well-known name to the company. Doesn't seem that much different than many people who simply trade on the family name that many would know.

Thanks, I believe it has been called Organizational Development in the corporations I worked for. IDK for sure but it certainly required a education and skill level.
I looked on Google and still not sure whay they actually 'do'. lol.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks, I believe it has been called Organizational Development in the corporations I worked for. IDK for sure but it certainly required a education and skill level.
I looked on Google and still not sure whay they actually 'do'. lol.

What kind of education, I wonder? Harry is a high school graduate, if I recall, who made a career of the military.

Could anyone just come into a position like this without a college degree, do you think?

 

[redrosesix]

Maybe it was an indirect answer to criticism they received about spending, the lavish wedding spectacle, rumored demands they were said to have made. Perhaps they were trying to say, we were already married days before in a way that was truly meaningful to us, don't hold us responsible for the public spectacle.

It's actually this type of thing that's most problematic for me when I have been listening specifically to hear what they actually say about different things in order to decide how credible I think they are. I'm not talking about the technicalities surrounding the backyard wedding that are being debated in the press. I do think that what was said in the interview was likely intended to convey that they said their own vows privately and that it made them feel married and committed and the big ceremony was about other people. What I'm referring to as troubling is a now repeated pattern where they want to share anecdotes in an incomplete or curated way that only reflects well on them, never owning any responsibility for anything even remotely close to a mistake, even a minor one. That's not a sign of people with an interest in putting the truth out publicly, but a sign of self-serving.

Imagine for a moment if they had told the family and the firm that they didn't want the public spectacle wedding. Speculation for the "real" reason would have been like wildfire.

The rumour is the Queen suggested a simpler ceremony and that M could continue her acting career -- although personally I don't think that would work.

But I think I see what you're saying. It's kind of like how they said they had to leave Canada because it wasn't safe. So I guess it's our fault they had to move to Hollywood where their non-profits and their PR team are located? I have an inlaw who takes care of a hotel just a couple hours from where they lived and he said they could have lived there without a hassle if they wanted to. We have a couple of towns in my province where famous people have homes and they are just fine. If people say they want privacy, that's what they get here.

 

[redrosesix]

What kind of education, I wonder? Harry is a high school graduate, if I recall, who made a career of the military.

Could anyone just come into a position like this without a college degree, do you think?

I would think he should be able to at least write a decent paper -- if he has to have someone do that for him, they would be better off giving them the job. Although he was an officer I think his only transferrable skill is helicopter pilot, although he would have taken plenty of classes to get his rank. William was able to get a job at that after leaving the military -- flying an air ambulance until 3 years ago.

Personally, I'm seeing an issue with how a lot of their future income seems to be coming from non-profits, all based in the US but with operations all over the place. There is one that does eco-tours in the UK, which really ought to be a for-profit company since the tours will not be free. I'm only thinking on this because here in Canada we had a huge problem with a big non-profit that turned out to be just a cash cow for the brothers who run it. Administrative costs were through the roof, and they were renting office space from another non-profit they run that owns the building. Sometimes people set things up this way just to avoid paying corporate taxes, but the guaranteed income from donations is mighty tempting.

I don't see how either of them is qualified to run a lot of these non-profits either -- nobody knows everything about everything, but they have a lot of staff so I guess their job is just to sit back and count the money.

 

[ronandannette]

I heard about this but oddly enough, Oprah is doubling down on the story...saying she saw a momento of their private wedding in their home. Oprah has been dropping these stories regularly for the past week, releasing previously unseen sections from the interview. I haven't posted for a while but the stories never stopped -- it's insane considering they said they wanted their privacy to have Gayle, Oprah, their PR team and even the paparazzi dropping these stories nearly every day.

Not sure what kind of a PR machine the top Anglicans have but I wish they'd come out all guns blazing to refute this one. It's a egregious accusation to make against a leader of a faith community; perhaps even libelous, given the ecclesiastical implications. I do suspect though, that both the couple and Oprah were counting on the lack of knowledge of the American people (not sure if Episcopalians have the same rules) but it's still confounding that they thought it would slide past a significant Anglican population in the UK.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Not sure what kind of a PR machine the top Anglicans have but I wish they'd come out all guns blazing to refute this one. It's a egregious accusation to make against a leader of a faith community; perhaps even libelous, given the ecclesiastical implications. I do suspect though, that both the couple and Oprah were counting on the lack of knowledge of the American people (not sure if Episcopalians have the same rules) but it's still confounding that they thought it would slide past a significant Anglican population in the UK.

Oprah and Gayle seem to be overly involved. What's in it for them?

 

[BayouQueen]

I would think he should be able to at least write a decent paper -- if he has to have someone do that for him, they would be better off giving them the job. Although he was an officer I think his only transferrable skill is helicopter pilot, although he would have taken plenty of classes to get his rank. William was able to get a job at that after leaving the military -- flying an air ambulance until 3 years ago.

Personally, I'm seeing an issue with how a lot of their future income seems to be coming from non-profits, all based in the US but with operations all over the place. There is one that does eco-tours in the UK, which really ought to be a for-profit company since the tours will not be free. I'm only thinking on this because here in Canada we had a huge problem with a big non-profit that turned out to be just a cash cow for the brothers who run it. Administrative costs were through the roof, and they were renting office space from another non-profit they run that owns the building. Sometimes people set things up this way just to avoid paying corporate taxes, but the guaranteed income from donations is mighty tempting.

I don't see how either of them is qualified to run a lot of these non-profits either -- nobody knows everything about everything, but they have a lot of staff so I guess their job is just to sit back and count the money.

OMG...Seriously yes.
When they were royals in the U.K., they would just shine their royal lights on various charitable organizations and that would cause people to donate generously. Now, seems like they'd have to pay themselves first to maintain their apparently Exorbitant Security Bill....and etc.
None of it makes sense to me. I don't see how it can end well. Most rich people set up foundations where they put money in and it's managed and allocated. But these two say they have money problems themselves. So odd. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Thanks, I believe it has been called Organizational Development in the corporations I worked for. IDK for sure but it certainly required a education and skill level.
I looked on Google and still not sure whay they actually 'do'. lol.

That was my thinking as well. I worked for
a large non profit that housed a handful of non-profits under its umbrella in the development arm and I certainly needed an education for it.
Although I did also have to manage people and court potential donors as well, I’m not sure that would be his forte since he kind of hated that in royal life, but maybe not. Perhaps he is simply there to draw attention. With their worth being a billion dollar entity, they can afford to pay him the salary he will demand to put his name on it while others do the behind the scenes work.

 

[redrosesix]

OMG...Seriously yes.
When they were royals in the U.K., they would just shine their royal lights on various charitable organizations and that would cause people to donate generously. Now, seems like they'd have to pay themselves first to maintain their apparently Exorbitant Security Bill....and etc.
None of it makes sense to me. I don't see how it can end well. Most rich people set up foundations where they put money in and it's managed and allocated. But these two say they have money problems themselves. So odd. Maybe I'm missing something.

Agreed. They will either spend themselves into poverty or get in trouble with the tax man. I looked at the non-profit for tourism he has. they have meetings and it sounds like they'll be requiring tour operators and facilities to pass some test to get certification.

He's out in the public again today, handing out food. I guess his picture on his bike 2 days ago was already becoming stale.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...otted-volunteering-non-profit-foundation.html

 

[redrosesix]

Oprah and Gayle seem to be overly involved. What's in it for them?

This is what I'm wondering. Are that many people really following the story? I assume there is some pay off for them when they give stories to CBS or other news agencies lol free advertising?

 

[redrosesix]

Chief of Staff for Archewell, Catherine St Laurent, steps down. "Although sources close to the couple insisted that St-Laurent would continue to advise Harry and Meghan through her social impact firm, insiders suggested the bilingual strategist, who has also worked in Brussels and London and featured in PR Week’s 40 under 40 in 2014, “wanted out”.

https://montrealgazette.com/news/lo...teps-down-as-harry-and-meghans-chief-of-staff

I doubt very much we will find out why because she probably signed a non-disclosure agreement but this doesn't look good for their organization. they aren't even willing to admit that she left them.

I'm still waiting on the workplace bullying investigation and now I'm thinking the timing of the interview had a lot to do with that. Perhaps the chief of staff leaving did too. And now the staff of Givenchy are starting to speak out, especially because of Meghan's saying it was Kate, not her that was mean. they were there -- they disagree with her. Wow -- such a mess. they should have stuck with being private.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Agreed. They will either spend themselves into poverty or get in trouble with the tax man. I looked at the non-profit for tourism he has. they have meetings and it sounds like they'll be requiring tour operators and facilities to pass some test to get certification.

He's out in the public again today, handing out food. I guess his picture on his bike 2 days ago was already becoming stale.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...otted-volunteering-non-profit-foundation.html

It will be interesting to watch. I don’t understand a non profit for tourism. I have questions. I’m going to my BFF, Google about this one!

 

[redrosesix]

It will be interesting to watch. I don’t understand a non profit for tourism. I have questions. I’m going to my BFF, Google about this one!

I actually have a friend doing a PhD in sustainable tourism (yes that's a field and you should see what he can get grant money for) but he's in Australia and he's probably dealing with floods rn. I really need to ask him about this Travelyst because it's joint with companies like Booking.com and I bet there is something in it for them...even if that's just being able to say a destination is certified for something or other. I can see a hostel being a non-profit but not this entire organization. If you look at their website it isn't even clear what they do except hosting conferences or where they make money.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Ok. Travalyst confuses me some.

It was founded a few years ago but still has no non profit status. I suspect this is because they have no clear cut initiative besides an idea. They don’t offer a service or grants or anything specific. Just a potential idea that has no direction yet.

Its a definite change from his new job. But also shows me he doesn’t actually know how to lead a non profit. Why has he not just hired someone to run this and get it off the ground? The website design is nice! But you learn very little other than he has a few travel companies on board and admitting they don’t know what their idea of protecting destinations from over travel might look like.

Anyway, as someone who used to have to scope out national corporations and foundations for potential grants, I found this interesting to get into. And I believe he hasn’t put much work into this at all besides hiring a good web designer and doing a little bit of networking. There is no direction, no real actual initiative yet. He could leave it as it, set up a foundation, solicit donors and endowments and fund grants from it. That would get him taxempt status and he could be helpful.

Summary—I am a non profit nerd and think he could shape this almost nothingness into something useful and don’t understand why he hasn’t. It’s late and I rambled.

 

[NotUrsula]

I would think he should be able to at least write a decent paper -- if he has to have someone do that for him, they would be better off giving them the job. Although he was an officer I think his only transferrable skill is helicopter pilot, although he would have taken plenty of classes to get his rank. William was able to get a job at that after leaving the military -- flying an air ambulance until 3 years ago.

Personally, I'm seeing an issue with how a lot of their future income seems to be coming from non-profits, all based in the US but with operations all over the place. There is one that does eco-tours in the UK, which really ought to be a for-profit company since the tours will not be free. I'm only thinking on this because here in Canada we had a huge problem with a big non-profit that turned out to be just a cash cow for the brothers who run it. Administrative costs were through the roof, and they were renting office space from another non-profit they run that owns the building. Sometimes people set things up this way just to avoid paying corporate taxes, but the guaranteed income from donations is mighty tempting.

I don't see how either of them is qualified to run a lot of these non-profits either -- nobody knows everything about everything, but they have a lot of staff so I guess their job is just to sit back and count the money.

Most of my career has been spent either in non-profits or higher ed (not charities, though.) I don't work in Development, but I work with them fairly frequently, and one thing I have learned over decades is that the key measure of the success of a non-profit is what percentage of the organization's income goes back into administrative expenses. At the places I have worked, anything over 40% is considered unacceptable (and we usually stay far under that ceiling), but there are a lot of shamefully-run "charities" where administrative expenses exceed 80% of income. While it isn't very unusual for celebrity figureheads to serve in the C-suites of nonprofits, what is unusual is for those celebrities to get paid or even reimbursed for expenses by those nonprofits (they customarily write off the expenses as donations on their taxes, though.) Potential donors will pay for proximity to celebrity figureheads, and I think that is probably the operating principle here, but what remains to be seen is what kind of compensation will or won't be realized from serving as donor bait.

 

[EMom]

Meghan may have been well educated, but Harry wasn't and that's compounded by him not being the sharpest tool in the shed on his best day. There is zero chance he'd have gotten any deals or job offers if his name was not accompanied by "Prince" or "Duke." In short, they are pimping out their royal connection for every dollar/pound they can, for as long as they can. In the end, it is HE who has treated his family so shabbily in all this. If she manipulated him, he happily allowed her to do so.

Meghan lies, spins, fabricates as easily as she breathes. And she is NEVER at fault. The question is, does she actually BELIEVE her version of the facts, which conveniently always portray her as the victim and wronged party, or is she conscious that she's twisting the story with precious little regard for the truth? Is she delusional or more calculating than that?

All you have to do is go through that interview point by point, and you'll see much (maybe most) of it has been debunked. The part you can't prove or disprove? Well, I find those bits hard to believe because I am convinced that Meghan and the truth are strangers. At best, they're passing acquaintances.

 

[Tigerlulu]

Is BetterUp a nonprofit? It’s very late here and my eyes are drooping hard but I thought it was a business tech start-up that just sounds similar to a non-profit since it does mental health and related employee assistance and advocacy services.

Which blows my mind it grew from 300 million to 1.75 billion in 7-8 years. Had no idea there is that much money in mental health. My mental health related non profit job had an annual budget of several million with a foundation arm of 10 mil (and is like 50-ish years old) that but that’s pennies compared to a 1.75 billion in 8 years.

Ok I’m done, I might have this all wrong and see it much differently tomorrow.

 

[bcla]

What kind of education, I wonder? Harry is a high school graduate, if I recall, who made a career of the military.

Could anyone just come into a position like this without a college degree, do you think?

He graduated from Eton College, where the large majority of graduates go on to a university education. He was an officer with people under his command. Unlike the United States, there's no specific requirement that military officers must have a university education, although most apparently do (like William). He went through the 44-week Regular Commissioning Course at Sandhurst which many would consider equivalent to college coursework. His front line combat positions were as a forward air controller as as an AH-64 co-pilot/gunner. But also served staff officer positions with some leadership component.

https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-schools-and-colleges/rma-sandhurst/officer-training/​

REGULAR OFFICER​

Training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst lasts for 44 weeks, broken down into three 14-week terms. Between each term, there are adventurous training exercises and 2-3 weeks of leave.​

​

• Term One focuses on basic military skills, fitness and decision making.
• Term two continues the development of leadership skills and has a major academic component. Officer cadets select their future corps or regiment at this stage.
• Term Three puts the Officer Cadet's new skills into practice on complex and demanding training exercises in the UK and overseas.​

​

The Commissioning Course is accredited by various academic and professional institutions.​

He served 10 years as an officer in the British Army. That's real world experience in leadership.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm pretty sure that BetterUp is for-profit, which does make it kind of unusual to have an Impact Officer. (BTW, they also have some pretty large government contracts, especially with the Dept of Defense.) I'm thinking that this will be related to corporate giving, probably to Veterans charities.

As for his leadership experience as an officer, it's hard to say. He did command a helicopter crew, but pilots have kind of a strange command structure, and normally only command their own ship's crew regardless of their rank, and in the case of an Apache the crew is normally no more than 6 people. However, in the British Army non-pilot Captains usually function as XO for a company of about 150 people.

In terms of whether or not someone without a degree might obtain a C-suite job at a large company, again, that depends. Some companies require that by policy, but many do not, and there are plenty of situations where sales executives, in particular, will lack post-secondary formal education. I expect that this is a similar situation; his job will probably be more about connecting powerful people with the company in one way or another.

BTW, it's a good thing he can fly; his new commute is 330 miles each way.

PS: A statement from BetterUP today notes that he will not be supervising anyone; "not expected to manage employees or have direct reports."

 

[bcla]

I would think he should be able to at least write a decent paper -- if he has to have someone do that for him, they would be better off giving them the job. Although he was an officer I think his only transferrable skill is helicopter pilot, although he would have taken plenty of classes to get his rank. William was able to get a job at that after leaving the military -- flying an air ambulance until 3 years ago.

All junior officers are required to take leadership positions where they command enlisted personnel. The Royal Household website claims that he was responsible for 11 troops upon graduation from a leadership course.

https://www.royal.uk/prince-harrys-military-career​

On completion of the Troop Leaders’ Course in October 2006, Prince Harry rejoined his regiment in Windsor, and was responsible for a troop of 11 soldiers and four Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles.​

If it's anything like American military officer positions, they undergo all sorts of career broadening roles, such as alternating field duties with headquarters duties. Harry finished his Army career as a staff officer in London.