Something about Nothing, come join in........ Part 2

[GemmaPixie]

For 7 years in Primary school I had to fundraise to save up for a new school mini-bus. But over here they don't give us stuff to sell, they just make us go round houses asking for donations...and no prizes either! Sucks!! Worst part was, I had to fundraise from P1-P7 and they bought the bus a year after I left school!! HMMMM WHAT!! I had to ask randomers for money from the age of 4-11 and I didn't even get the ride in the stupid mini-bus!!

 

[marciemi]

Boy, I hate the fundraiser stuff too! First day of school is "bring home all the forms" day, second is "bring home all the fundraisers" day! DS12 came home with one of those typical junky ones yesterday - order cheeses, salami sticks, cookie dough - each for about $10. I have NO ONE to sell them to here because we have no family here and it's not going to keep until we head to Michigan over Thanksgiving and I'm not going to pay to ship it.

I look through the catalog and determine I can probably come up with 5 things we'd at least eat (overpriced chicken nuggets, multicolored cookie dough ). I'm not going to go bother the neighbors so that I can then buy stuff from them in return. I ask him how many he's supposed to sell and he says 20!!!! Um, no.

At my sons' old school, they used to appeal "if everyone in the school sold just one, then we could raise x" which I thought was reasonable and I usually ended up buying (and conning Grandma to buy since we were nearby then) maybe 5. 20's not going to happen. Magazine sales came home too yesterday and now since I have 2 kids at the high school I'm supposed to sell twice as many as the 8 or so we got (or conned Grandma into!) last year. Why can't we stick with candy bars? DH brings those into work and they're gone in an afternoon.

But I particularly hate the part you brought up of them pushing it on the kids so you feel guilty if they don't get whatever it is. In elementary school once they did that and the kids who sold a certain amount (say something like 20 items) got these big, fancy wrapped presents with prizes inside them. Brought them into the classroom and handed them out so the rest of the class (think DS was in 2nd grade at the time) just got to watch. That annoyed me a lot.

Last year DS12 was in 6th grade and they did it similarly. Had a big fundraiser and if you sold so much you got to participate in a big party - brought in those moonwalk type bouncers and slides, pizza, etc. You got a ticket to go during school - rest of the "losers" got to sit in their classrooms.

 

[RVGal]

Where we are, kids are not supposed to go door to door selling. It says it on everything. "Safety First... NO door-to-door selling is necessary!"

We are in a relatively small, rural area. Everyone either has, or is related to someone that has, a school aged child. So, it wouldn't do us any good to hit the neighbors anyway. What winds up happening around here is that people take their stuff to church or work. Whoever has the most pull at work or at church wins. Want to impress a church elder? Buy stuff for their grandkids school. Want to impress the boss? Buy stuff for their nephews school.

How pitiful is that?

I will buy a couple of things because I want to. My mom will buy way more stuff than she wants to because it is for her grandson. My sisters will each buy something because they feel obligated (and I've been buying stuff from my oldest sisters kids for 15 years... it's payback time...). My brother is in NJ, so I won't bother him with it. That's it. He'll get something out of it, but not much. I agree with you Marcie. The whole thing of celebrating the big sellers in front of the rest of the kids stinks. The big sellers at my kids school (those that sell 35 items or more) are going to get a Hummer Limo ride to a local pizza place for lunch.

 

[marciemi]

Know what you mean. Oldest DS got one of those limo rides once (don't think it was a hummer though!) because in middle school his Quiz Bowl team finished first in the state and second in the Nation. To me, this seemed like a really neat way of celebrating the kids' accomplishments.

However, celebrating the biggest fundraiser really just turns out to be, as you said, whose daddy is most important at work and can coerce (um, I mean politely ask! ) the most underlings to buy his kids' stuff! When we were in Michigan, neither DH or I were allowed to sell at work. Now that he works at a much larger place, but is in a higher role, he feels comfortable putting things like candy bars in the break room (where people can buy them without pressure if they really want them), but not asking people to buy things like magazines or giftwrap because they might feel compelled to buy.

Someone was complaining on a thread on the community board that their school was opting out of fundraisers and asking each family to send in $75 instead. While I realize that sounds like a lot (and is not realistic for all families), I'm going to spend that much on garbage just from this first fundraiser that I don't want. Give me a cash quota and everyone's happy!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Fund raising? In public schools? Are you kidding? I know you're not, but it boggles my mind the RIDICULOUS amount we pay in school taxes. Any kid who came who came to me for a public school fundraiser would get a very polite copy of my property tax bill.

 

[tlinus]

Ahhhh, the glory of the fundraisers begin. Ours comes home next week. I just hit my friends/family/Mom's co-workers up for The Sports fundraiser ($1.00 raffle tickets) and only because we had to PREPAY for them at registration

Marcie - you have 3 kiddos in school, now I do. How do you deal with all three bringing home the packets? Buy something from each? This is going to be messy. We have 2 in our district. The fall and the spring.

Updating the WDW trip - may be put on the shelf DH wants a 42 inch flat screen tv instead - it is football season ya know

Off to drop off the little bean at school and then when I get home, cleaning the upstairs (specifically the bedrooms - now that I have my first official alone afternoon, me and Mr. Trash Bag are having a party up there )

Gemma & Katie - thanks for sharing the pictures
Rose - hope the driver stays on her best behavior
Tricia - need more wine!
Bubba - you go girl - I hope you get the raise!!! You deserve it!!!
Jodie - Welcome back - where's the trip report
mac - where are ya lady?? ??
damo - just don't try to catch up......it'll make ya dizzy!!!

And thank you all for commenting on my little man - he is getting so big and handsome now - won't need Momma too much longer

 

[marciemi]

Tracie - that's how most of our sports teams do it here too. "Your kid wants to play soccer? That's $50 to register, plus $100 for your Subway cards - you can sell them for $10 apiece if you want or not, we don't care!"

We just split what we can up between the kids. It's harder when they're at the same school because it's the same thing. I'm not going to buy "Offroad Motorcycle Weekly" just because I need to buy another magazine! But I'll pick the ones I might have a minor interest in. If it was just one kid, we might buy 5 magazines. If it's two kids, I'll try to make it 6, and they each get credit for 3. I know the next one is Entertainment books, and I'm guessing I'm just going to end up buying 2 of them, even though I hardly use mine, because I certainly don't have anyone else to sell them to!

But I pretty much buy a token amount (1 of things like Entertainment books that cost a lot, 2 of other things) per child so they know the fundraiser came home and our name at least goes on the list of "good" parents who actually bought something!

 

[marciemi]

Day 2 of my trip report is now up:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570883

Sorry I don't know how to make those neat clickable, named links like some of you do!

 

[Metro West]

Disney people WON'T like this story in today's paper. Check out the "Hierarchies of access" section.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-fastpass0607sep06,0,2415670.story

 

[keishashadow]

bzzzzzzzzing in to wave hi!

gemma - u r a hottie , bet you have to beat the blokes away with a club.

KFed - more great pics

jodie - welcome home how r the Bushes?

marcie - can't wait to read your TR installment

metro - imo, CR is, was & will be come on DVC

I agree with youth sport costs, if they would only just tell you the total amount upfront (including the pre-paid raffle tix, etc.) people wouldn't be so upset. Typically, they do offer a discount for more than 1 child participating..never hurts to ask.

While i sympathize with the never ending string of solicitations coming home from school, I've a different take on school fundraisers; have been involved in PTA for over 22 years don't do the math pleaselol

Our fundraising pays for: class holiday parties, field trips (including bus rental & tickets), an assembly each month; $5 spending stipend for each child for book fairs & santa's workshop; even the kleenex in the classrooms. Additionally, each teacher received a gift card for Staples to use at their discretion.

The money has to come from somewhere...many parents would complain as to the cost/inconvenience as to fundraisers and said we put them in an uncomfortable position if their kids didn't participate . Must admit, i usually just wrote a small check/donation in lieu of selling (tax deduction too).

Funny story: each year we had so many parents who wanted to chaperone parties, assemblies or field trips; it put the officers in said uncomfortable postion making the selections. I had the bright idea of suggesting that volunteers all be a "paid" card-holding member of the PTA. A whopping $5, with $3 going to the state group; no matter how many kids you had in school. The number of requests nosedived.

 

[keishashadow]

Disney people WON'T like this story in today's paper. Check out the "Hierarchies of access" section.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-fastpass0607sep06,0,2415670.story

Disney files many patents during the course of a year (all those Imagineers; can you image the volume of stuff they dream up?lol). Sure most of it is still sitting on the shelf...poor mousekeeping

Very sim. idea submitted to patent 1-1/2 to 2 years ago; big thread there on the DVC boards...we were worried where we would fall in the "hierarchy". heck, it took us a year of lobbying to be able to purchase the DP when staying on points.

Original plan outlined a system of FPs to be doled out to onsite guests in the comfort of their hotel room, via TV set. more $s = more FP. Some confusion as to total $s spent or resort class...either way it shut out those of us who "prepaid" our accommodations.

Interesting concept, just not sure how they'd allocate the available FP for the E-ticket rides and popular times? I'll take Space Mt @ 10 am, Dumbo @ 11:00 am BTH @ noon.

 

[RVGal]

Another quick fly by here. I've had some kind of stomach bug hit me this afternoon and it isn't treating me kindly. Brad had to cook dinner and I don't even want to think about what the kitchen looks like. Cooking for him is no problem. Cleaning, however... I'll deal with it tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be feeling better then.

 

[GemmaPixie]

WOOOO guya im druank again!!!

Went out 4 myt last nighr with my girls 3 b club and i gdrank eberthin from vodka, to pea cider to cockatails!1 I WANNA HAVE SEXO N THE HBEACH SOME ON MOVEW UR BDY!!

Had a ab night?!!

Hve to 2 get up at 6.30 2moeo morinnig to aget a bot 2 liverpool!! uh oh that will b adicking!!

MWAH!

 

[keishashadow]

i'm afraid to try & translate, enjoy!

tricia - sorry for you, get a good rest (hard to do w/little ones @ home).

 

[KStarfish82]

Evening folks!

Just had a terrific meal at Chili's and tomorrow is Friday!

OK official count...2 down, 178 more to go!

I gotta start putting up some more pics.

 

[KStarfish82]

More shots on the water...

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Day 2 of my trip report is now up:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570883

Sorry I don't know how to make those neat clickable, named links like some of you do!

Very simple. Click on the globe, which will make a pop-up prompt. Post the web addy into said prompt. You'll see [lots of text in between brackets]then between brackets you can edit the text to say whatever you want[the last bracket closesthe link]

That may not make sense, but try it. Anything between [ ] = no touchie! Between the ][ yes.

Make sense?

 

[bubba's mom]

dunno why, but the mouse is suddenly working just fine again I'm a happy gal!

Gemma....water girl, drink water so the headache won't be as bad tomorrow

Tricia...too much wine, eh girl? j/k...hope your belly is better soon....as awful as it feels, it is nice to be taken care of once in a while

As far as the fundraisers go...we are told not to do door to door also. We don't take it into work either because of the "if I buy from you, you feel obligated to buy from me" thing...altho, Mom will buy, we will too, maybe a couple of my close customers (that are like family to me)....but, not going all out. I would rather donate the money also...OR send a box of tissues, or buy snacks for the parties, etc... I'd much rather "pitch in" that way, then sell this stuff..... the school would get ALL the money if I just donated my time, "gifts" and money, rather than "share" with the fundraiser people And, I agree with ya Jodie when it comes to the taxes...our taxes doubled in the 13 years we've lived here...so, I know we pay boo-koo in taxes, but that goes to the bus system, salaries, etc....guess not much left FOR the KIDS...(altho, I do the Box Top thing like crazy to help 'em...mof, we're getting a new playground at the school)

Tracie...how'd your date w/ Mr. Bag go Hope you "fed" him plenty! (Been doing that a lot around here lately myself!) AND, you're going to complain about getting the big screen tv? I wouldn't....get the tv, THEN work on the trip

damo....unless you check in here morning, (maybe mid-day-ish) and the evening, you miss a lot.....hard to go back and catch up.....just haveta go with the flow.... but, it doesn't matter, just jump in anywhere

Oh, and speaking of Hummerzine Limos..... remember last summer when we went to UO for the first time (well, our 2nd, Bubba's first)? ...the trip I didn't do a report for? ...... Well, to make it special, we hired a Hummerzine Limo to pick us up at MCO, grocery stop and take us to RPR...... Ryan w/ limo and Ryan IN the limo and another pic of Bubba. It was cool, expensive (even with the discount I got), but SO totally worth the look on his face!!!! (Told him that's it tho...had a stretch limo for his first trip to WDW, and the Hummerzine for first time at UO....just towncars from now on)

Speaking of WDW, I read that article Todd (thanks for posting) and I agree...I'm sure the Disney peeps are gonna be . Funny tho, how it mentioned:

Disney's application openly suggests that the technology could be used to give preferential treatment to people who spend more money at the resort.

Isn't this the same thing they complain about for onsite guests at Universal? Universal has got it, and Disney wants it....but, Disney is too big and is trying desperately to figure out a way to get it..... Till they don't have hour+ waits in the summer at Disney, my money is going to UO....but, I don't have to "sell" that to you guys....


Katie...very cool pix!! Nothin' like "different" shots from around the world. The SeaRaycers look cool...maybe some day Keep postin' more....ya know ya wanna share 'em and I wants to see 'em You should do a countdown ticker for days to go till school's out.

 

[marciemi]

Very simple. Click on the globe, which will make a pop-up prompt. Post the web addy into said prompt. You'll see [lots of text in between brackets]then between brackets you can edit the text to say whatever you want[the last bracket closesthe link]

That may not make sense, but try it. Anything between [ ] = no touchie! Between the ][ yes.

Make sense?

Okay, I only got this far before I got lost! What globe? Where do I find this globe? Thanks for helping us non-tech-savvy folks!

 

[marciemi]

Oh, and I meant to add that DS15 finally got his permit today:



Watch out world!!! We went driving around this evening and he drove all the way to the high school to go watch his girlfriend's volleyball game. Granted it's only 2 miles, and there are no pesky things like stoplights, and the highest speed limit is 25mph, and I made him park about 50 spaces away from the nearest car, but still he drove there!

We tried to go get the permit yesterday, but after leaving the doctor and rushing over there (since the website said you had to be there 30 minutes before closing to get a Drivers' License), we got there 44 minutes before closing only to be told it was now 45 minutes and "if they made an exception for us, they'd have to make one for everyone!" The lady was being a real, um, witch about it so I asked to speak to a supervisor - explained that they should at least update their website and maybe educate their employees about the different ways you could say the same thing! "I'm so sorry, we just had to shut everything down, and I'm not allowed to turn them back on" - okay, "Ha - you missed it by one minute - too bad!" while smirking - not as good!