Time for a heart-to-heart, DUers (w/update)

[OneGrassRoot]

Last edited Sat Sep 14, 2013, 08:26 AM - Edit history (10)

[font color="green"]UPDATE: I just want to thank you all SO VERY MUCH for the thoughtful replies and all the K&Rs!!!!!!!! You have me in tears this Friday morning...in a good way. There are excellent, actionable suggestions below, with truly thoughtful insights that are priceless. (You should read through if you have time!)

I am going to really sit with these replies and see what I can implement sooner rather than later. I may do a poll to get specific input from the community about the way forward based on info shared below. I'll keep you all posted.

THANK YOU![/font]


EDIT TO ADD, to those of you who have written to me, asking for help in any way: PLEASE DON'T FEEL BAD!!!!!!! I just need to get others (DUers and beyond) involved. They probably assume I have a lot of help and that I don't struggle myself, and that if they don't K&R or help in any way, plenty of other people are. But that's just not the case.



* * * * *

CLIFFSNOTES VERSION of my missive below: As more and more people here (and beyond DU) need help, I need more people TO help. Wishadoo is just me, and I struggle. I'm having a hard time of late getting views and K&Rs on the "Help a DUer" OPs, so I'm asking for recommendations and suggestions regarding how to keep doing this effectively here at DU. I'm also asking for your help to spread the word about Wishadoo in general. The more who gather...

(Adding a shout-out to Thom Hartmann's team, Big Ed, or any of the other media personalities I've been wanting to contact forever, to explore collaborating in some way to DO GOOD.)

* * * * *

Listen, I need your help, and I really hope people will read this and reply with their thoughts and feelings on the matter.

As many of you know, I've been posting "Help a DUer" OPs periodically for a few years now. Here is the latest:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023623242


For those of you who are new, I've been a member of DU since 2004. When I created Wishadoo years ago, I naturally wanted this community to be involved -- to lead the way and show other communities (online and our local, physical communities) how the tools there can be used to connect and help one another in a variety of ways. My BIG dream was to have Wishadoo be the first member-owned cooperative social network; I still have that dream. (My dream has also involved, somehow -- via the various tools and spin-off projects I'm trying to develop -- sustaining myself financially via these efforts. I do work; I've been self-employed for 20 years, though my income was cut in half 18 months ago and I haven't been able to supplement it. My time and attention are constantly torn between doing my existing work, looking for more work, dealing with Wishadoo-related needs, and trying to expand Wishadoo and develop related projects, as well as the whole "basic survival" tasks each day, which those of us who struggle financially understand all too well. It's amazing how much more energy it takes to be poor...lol. Oy.

It used to be that, here on DU, for anyone to post about any need they have which involves raising $$ -- or for another DUer to do so on their behalf -- permission from admins was required. That could take a while. Plus, as the economic situation worsened, the number of requests was bound to increase and become overwhelming.

I wrote the admins and offered the tools at Wishadoo for this purpose, and Skinner kindly agreed. Instead of DUers creating separate posts regarding their situation and their needs, DUers would instead create a post in the Wishlist and I would create what are now known as a "Help a DUer" OP to bring these needs to the attention of the DU Community.

At first, when there were just a few DUers asking for help, these OPs (and the requests) got a rousing response.

Over time, however, as this community itself has changed, these OPs get fewer and fewer recs and are seen by fewer and fewer people.

Unfortunately, the number of community members in need increases daily.

[font color="blue"](I must inject my profound gratitude for those of you who DO support the OPs and the other DUers, and me. You really, really are human angels. You are appreciated!!!)[/font color]

Please understand that 1) I never intended for Wishadoo! to be all about raising $$; I still firmly believe we can help one another in other ways, such as finding existing resources that may have been overlooked; 2) I never intended to be so involved as I have become.

I created the safe, compassionate space for people to be supported in "putting it out there" (asking for help is the hardest part for most of us). Everything is supposed to be one-on-one, no middle person.

And the "no middle person" is supposed to include me.

Since nearly every single need that DUers are posting in the Wishlist involves raising funds, it has become very time consuming on my end to help set up a PayPal button, keeping the fundraising widgets updated, etc. To create the OPs on a regular basis to bring attention to these needs is also very time consuming.

A lot more goes on behind the scenes than people realize; often a need doesn't even make it to the Wishlist because I'm able to find help for the person's need right away. But as more people find Wishadoo (which is great), it gets more overwhelming for me to do all on my own, especially as those with resources (time, money, recommendations, whatever) are NOT finding their way there.

There must be more of a balance. I need help finding people who CAN help others, and that help can come in surprising ways. Sometimes knowing the perfect resource or having the perfect suggestion based on personal experience can help another person get beyond a seemingly insurmountable hurdle. People find their way to Wishadoo after they've exhausted the application process at social service agencies, etc. They often feel hopeless and beaten down. When someone is a member of a community such as here at DU, there can be a level of familiarity and thus trust, rather than feeling like complete strangers. Still, if before someone helps they require proof or more information, that is their right. It is between the individuals; that's where personal responsibility comes in. Unlike agencies and other nonprofits, people aren't screened (beyond basics) or required to prove their worth in any way; in fact, Wishadoo was created to fill that gap and allow our basic humanity to come through for one another, as individuals. It's a social experiment of sorts and, I must admit, I do feel it's failing, mainly because I haven't succeeded in engaging more people to help me spread the word.

As I mentioned in my latest "Help a DUer" OP, I'm having a really hard time with a personal crisis (this one doesn't involve money) myself right now. Granted, I've been having a hard time for years right along with many of you, living on the edge financially myself. Keeping my utilities on is often an issue; keeping the website going becomes secondary. But, thanks to a handful of kind souls, somehow the hosting fees have always been paid each month. Upgrading the site and adding features to make life easier is always put on hold, waiting for something positive to happen with my personal situation.

The events of the last week have brought me to the point of posting this plea.

Nearly every day I get heart-breaking requests from DUers who need help, yet the number of people engaged in these "Help a DUer" OPs decreases. [font color="blue"](There is a wonderful group I call "DU Angels," who asked to be put on an email list, to be notified whenever I create a new OP; if you would like to be added to that list, please message me.)[/font]

I'm not bitching at anyone at all; I am sorry that this comes off as whining (I hate that, but, oh well...). I'm spilling my guts and asking for some feedback and suggestions regarding this situation.

I don't know if the lack of attention (even views, let alone K&Rs) is because I suck at creating attention-getting subject lines or what.

I FULLY realize that perhaps most of us here struggle financially and thus even $5 is difficult.

I also FULLY realize that compassion fatigue is real; sometimes seeing the suffering up close and personal via our various communities (online and in the "real" world) is just too much and we close off.

But month after month, as I see the types of OPs that get recommended through the roof and see the OPs I create go unnoticed, it's disheartening -- not only for me but for those who had the courage to share their struggle so publicly.

Also over the years I have begged for help in spreading the word about Wishadoo to your other networks: work, school, neighborhood, faith-based, etc. I have never had a marketing budget or any help (Wishadoo is me, myself and I still), so I admit that I'm nearly devastated that I've never had any BIG help in growing the community over the years.

And in order for people to find help, the Wishadoo Community must grow. Wishadoo wasn't created to be strictly for DUers. At all. But what little time and energy I have of late as it concerns Wishadoo is devoted to helping DUers, and that's not even working out to their benefit lately. Not in a reliable way.

IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY, AND I CAN'T CONTINUE THIS WAY.

I really thought DU and the members here so devoted to the progressive concepts of community and The Common Good would help me spread the word so more individuals and other communities could come together to make use of the tools I created there, which I feel can still be of tremendous value.

There are now more names here at DU that I don't recognize than names I DO recognize. I don't have a feel for how much of a community really exists at DU any longer, to be honest. Obviously there are wonderful, wonderful people here who help one another in amazing ways; there is certainly still a sense of community, but I do feel it has diminished over the years, which is natural, I suppose.


With every single OP I create I ask people to please spread the word about Wishadoo so that community can grow. After all, the more who gather...

I fairly recently posted an OP with an activist idea I had to help citizens:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023385076


But, as I type this, I don't know what else to do to help DUers and/or get the attention of more community members here at DU to help one another. Any thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

Options as I see it are people creating separate posts here on DU with their needs; I'm not sure if that still requires admin permission or not. The problem with that is that if the site becomes more flooded with individual OPs, attention paid to such posts will wane just as they have for my Help a DUer OPs. I don't know. There are a ton of fundraising platforms nowadays (like gofundme.com, for example) which make personal fundraisers easier; of course, they charge a fee, on top of PayPal's fees, and -- like everything else online nowadays -- there are sooooooo many people using them that individual needs, unless they become viral in some way, get lost in the midst of the hundreds of thousands of other requests.


(Before anyone asks, I need to get updates from the DUers who do have Wishlist posts so I can manually update the widget that shows the progress. That's time consuming for me, too. In a perfect world, Wishadoo would have it's own built-in tools available there, that work properly. But that takes money. And, again, I did not set Wishadoo up as a fundraising site -- nor do I charge anything as fundraising sites do -- and I DO NOT INTEND for Wishadoo to become strictly a fundraising site. There is so much more to Wishadoo -- a marketplace, a business directory, ecards, a forum, groups, etc), and there's so much more we can do to help one another.)


Below is the content I include with every Help a DUer OP, in case you've never really read it.

Thanks for reading.





[font color="blue"][font size="3"]PLEASE: [/font size][/font color]

* Recommend this thread and keep it kicked for visibility.

* Please scan the Wishlist in general on a regular basis; some posts are simply asking for information. It's not always about money.

* ACKNOWLEDGE these courageous people who have made themselves vulnerable by asking for help. Please offer whatever support you can (information, advice, well wishes, financial or other support, etc.).

* Share Wishadoo! with others (online and in person)...your friends, loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, other networks and organizations; after all, the more who gather...[/font color]



[center][font color=green]* * * * *

ABOUT WISHADOO!: Anyone is welcome to use the tools at Wishadoo, so long as the Terms of Service are adhered to (basically "play nice" and don't lie). Wishadoo! is a comprehensive portal providing tools, resources and inspiration to connect, help/be helped, and cultivate compassion, cooperation and authentic community in myriad ways, online and in our own "backyards." Wishadoo!'s tools have been designed to integrate and be of service to all sectors of community: individuals, neighborhoods, schools, organizations and businesses.

Any contributions to Wishadoo! itself go toward the cost of maintaining the site, NOT toward any Wishlist posts. That takes place one on one, between Wishadoo! members. If you are able to help with costs to keep the site going, I'd appreciate your generosity tremendously and will be forever indebted.
http://www.wishadoo.org/support-wishadoo/

MANY, MANY thanks to those who have already
helped support Wishadoo! in various ways!



[/center]

[idwiyo]

1. K&R

[Iggo]

2. Kick.

[tosh]

3. K&R

[cate94]

4. K & R

[lavenderdiva]

5. Kicking

[Berlin Expat]

6. I'm still trying

Last edited Thu Sep 12, 2013, 09:24 AM - Edit history (1)

to raise (through Wishadoo) the money to buy a fridge and a washing machine. http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/186/refrigerator-and-washing-machine-used/

Not easy, but one must persevere, of course. I save as much as I can from my wages.

Of course, I recognize that part of the issue may be that donations to my Wishadoo are in Czech crowns; a potential donor needs to keep currency conversion in mind (1 USD = 18 Czech Koruna).

But hopefully, something will come through.

[Safetykitten]

7. "Still, if before someone helps they require proof or more information,"

I think your post is fantastic, and your drive and care is amazing. What I don't get is that part above. Are there people that actually ask to get "background"? WTF is THAT?

People who post here, me included are here for specific reasons, other than argue points. My financial situation, dire over the last month and desperate over the last four years, I have always solved somehow and some way. When I did have money, and I mean money in the way you would not have to make the choices between basics, like electricity and a car, I gave people money. I could care less about the validity of the asking, I just did.

If there are people on here that want to run a background check well, you are kinder than me, as I would be telling them the truth about giving. You give, then you shut up. You give without care or without asking why. There is a sickening group of Democratic posuers that inhabit this place that believe in the bootstrap theory of life and would not survive a week what others are doing daily for years. Yet they tell others how they should live, how their lives would be improved by certain politicians that they have invested way too much time and are their fetish objects, yet do nothing.

There are wealthy people on this board. LOTS of them, yet they do not give a shit. I know that for FACT.

So you wealthy ones? They are here. They just don't give a rat's ass.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Like I said, it's a bit of a social experiment...

As part of the TOS at Wishadoo! it reads:

Wishadoo! members and Wishlist requests are not screened nor pre-approved, and thus Wishadoo! does not accept any responsibility for the contents or veracity of requests made in the Wishlist.

Members are asked to enter with an open mind and open heart, and to act with respect. Specifically concerning the Wishlist tool, interactions regarding requests and offerings are private, with members connecting one on one. If you are considering responding to a post, yet have questions and requirements of the Wishlist poster in order to have more peace of mind about giving (or receiving), that is your right. All parties must assume personal responsibility and work within their own boundaries.

Please remember that the simple act of acknowledging someone's post can be a priceless act of kindness. If the request is monetary yet you cannot or choose not to help in that way, perhaps you have a resource suggestion, advice to share, or you can simply lend moral support by acknowledging the courage it took to ask out loud.

If anyone experiences any unpleasant interactions which are counter to Wishadoo!'s guidelines and terms, please notify us immediately. If any member posts a request that is deceptive, untrue or illegal in any way, they will be banned immediately and, if applicable, legal action will be taken.

So, yes, if someone is considering helping another person but they have questions or need some sort of verification to feel more comfortable, I respect that and that is perfectly okay -- to be done in private, one-on-one.

If the person who created the Wishlist post prefers not to share any requested information, that is their right as well! And I absolutely respect that. They have every right to share or not share whatever information they'd like, without feeling publicly judged or having to prove they are worthy.

It's up to the individual members, and it's up to the community as a whole to help maintain the integrity of it all by letting me know, privately, if anyone takes advantage and flat out is there to scam. I have had experience with that early on, so I'm always on guard.

I'm with you about the giving thing. In my perfect do-gooder world, people would rely on their intuition and offer help with an open heart, with NO EXPECTATIONS. And the person receiving help could do so free of any guilt or embarrassment or sense of expectation themselves.

But, I'm realistic and don't want to impose my Pollyanna self into the process TOO much. I respect that we're all different personalities and have different perspectives.

In so many ways, we've lost our humanity. I want to offer ways to help regain it in small ways that add up to create a significant societal shift.

Thank you for the reply, Safetykitten.

And if there are wealthy DUers (or even non-DUers) reading this, I sure hope I've proven myself over the years as someone of integrity and they'll want to help me develop what I'm trying to build.

Being dissed by Glenn Beck on his TV show should help support that.

[Safetykitten]

16. Still sayin, you are much kinder than me, and what i think you are doing is amazing...

the other part, that is amazing. I am sure people here have seen on the 20/20 shows or in the news the people that have been taken for a ride. The rich guy weaseled out of a million by a tax fraud investor guy. They wanted "return" on their money. Then they get burnt. Lose millions. Then whine.

So the background check on the guy they gave millions to? Uh...well....

So background people that need a GRAND? Are they fucking kidding?

There are people like that on this board. There are people on this board with cash that could help 50 of those in need without breaking a sweat. But then, their Democratic...err...New Century Democratic values do not allow that. Why the people that post alone arguing about fucking iPhones would solve much of those requests.

They are here...they fucking WRITE wealthy.

I solved my chaos yesterday on my own. No help. That does not make me a better person. But I know what living without a job/minimum wage slave job, taking care of an elderly mother for years, what that does to a person. Financially.

Oh and just so the ones with the gas think I do not know about wealthy people? Trust me. I know firsthand.

[7962]

39. Sad that you are so bitter about people asking for a little proof

Theres absolutely NOTHING wrong with making sure you're NOT getting screwed. Because if what money I have to give is taken by some loser charlatan, then someone who REALLY NEEDS the help goes without. Background on a guy you give a million to is no different than a guy you give a thousand to if a thousand is all you CAN give. Too many bad people have made it hard for everyone. I manage rental properties and I cant tell you how many times we have been ripped off by believing a sob story about why the rent cant be paid, only to find out its another lie. The stories are endless. We try to help those who need it, but now we check out the stories and I feel good knowing that we ARE helping people who have REAL troubles.

An analogy here-- when I was a little kid my dad would take me fishing to a couple creeks and rivers he used to fish. We'd walk up the banks and find a nice place. Never occurred to us that we were trespassing on private land. Today, you cant fish those places because they're posted and fenced. I met one of the owners and mentioned my "good ol days". He said yes, its a shame, but people were leaving trash behind and burning tires at night leaving tar and oil running into the waters. He had to stop access. The bad people ruined it for everyone.
The same applies here. The scammers ruin it for the true needy.

[Safetykitten]

44. It's just MONEY. So you have heard the sob stories....

yada yada....it's fucking MONEY. Just money. You manage an apartment complex? I imagine you are in a rather front row position to see the effects of wealth and non wealth. That's another story...

But in the end is YOUR proof sufficient proof for another? Maybe someone else may think YOUR proof is in sufficient. If you don't want to give...DON'T.

Giving is just that...GIVING.

What the wealthy lurkers here don't get are that many are on to your game, and you rather not be called out on it. That's the real problem.

[7962]

47. Oh, "its just money". Thats what people who WANT somebody else's money say.

No, I dont manage a complex, theyre individual homes. I'm not a "wealthy lurker". Not even sure what that means. I guess DU is going to start having an income requirement now? And when you see where the money goes, you want to make sure that if you give ANYONE a break its someone who deserves it. And yes, its ME who makes that decision, so I'm gonna be damn sure I'm not being taken advantage of by another freeloader because I'm the one who has to answer for it. We have had people move out and steal everything in the house; appliances, lights, faucets you name it. It costs MONEY to replace all that. But I have no problem helping someone who is REALLY in a tight spot. And the proof? It doesnt matter if its sufficient to anyone but the company I work for.

You still miss the point. It may be "only money", but there's only so much of it. And if I'm controlling it I want the true needy to benefit and NOT some bum who gets over on everyone. Because when that happens, the mom of 3 who just had an alternator burn up gets nothing, while "Jimmy" goes and buys another case of beer. Help as many people as you can afford to, but there's nothing wrong with making sure its a true need.
I guess we'll just disagree on that, but I bet most people dont have a problem explaining their needs.

[Safetykitten]

62. No, there is plenty of money. They print more every day.

You have to deal with your situation as it is and what is asked of you. If you have to go through that process to filter out the deserving and undeserving then that's your gig. Do not confuse what you do an the issues around it like stealing out of the apartments with people asking for help. Two different things.

People ask for help. Uncomfortable? Then don't. The point is there is PLENTY OF CASH floating around that could be helping people and the gang that is doing the floating with it need to unfloat some of that. Without strings attached.

As said up there earlier, there are people that gave a million to an investor to add a million to another five million they already have, and then get all pissy when asked to give a grand to a needy person? Fuck that shit.

[Le Taz Hot]

124. As one who has been taken

MANY times by family members and so-called "friends" I completely understand what you're saying. You try to have a good heart and try not to mistrust people but after I've scraped together $60.00 for "groceries" and later found out they bought a carton of cigarettes instead (and their daughter STILL went hungry and yes, I ended up buying groceries as well) you have no choice but to become skeptical.

My husband and I are JUST now starting to think about climbing out of our financial hole (since 2005) and I've been in a position to give a few dollars here and there but now I make SURE that the money is going to the truly needy. You're correct, there's only so much money and, since it's MY money, I want to make sure the money goes to people who truly need it.

[7962]

129. I think you said it better than I did! nt

[Myrina]

130. I can't count how many thousands of dollars I was scammed out of ...

... when I was in my early 20's, living on $8/hr, by guys who "just needed a few bucks" or "needed a ride" or whatever ... many, many were the times I made it thru a week on a pound of hamburger and a couple cans of Campbell's Soup with no phone & eletricity about to be shut off because their "repayments" never appeared.

As I moved into my 30's and was a single mom, then making $18k a year, I still was able to find "dollar sales" at grocers so I could donate to food drives, and toy sales at Christmas so I could donate to "Toys for Tots".

No matter how bad I think I may have it, I'm not in as bad a shape as some & sharing what I have or 'splitting the difference' makes me feel better.

Now I am in my late 40's and in better financial conditions and I don't think twice about donating to rescues, shelters, and folks on Wishadoo. Should I be saving that money? Is there stuff I could buy with it instead? Probably. But what for? A bank account is only data, anymore.


I'm sorry more people here don't feel that way.

[grasswire]

60. Is there a facebook page for wishadoo?

Or do they require non-profit incorporation for that?

[OneGrassRoot]

61. Yep, FB page, twitter, everything...

https://www.facebook.com/wishadoo

And, if you go to www.wishadoo.org, in the right sidebar area you'll see all the social media icons: FB, twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc., to connect/follow Wishadoo.

[quinnox]

13. +1000

I also think there are some wealthy folk here. (Unfortunately, I'm not one of them) And I think you are correct, that some of them don't seem to be the giving type. If more of them were, it seems the OP would not be having such problems in their appeals and goals.

[SammyWinstonJack]

40. Wealthy folk here who have enjoyed a dozen+ yrs of tax breaks/cuts.............

[Safetykitten]

45. And worship people that are billionaires. Billionaires that don't do shit.

[stewert]

24. Proof of Information.............

I am in need, and I have a posting at wishadoo. I was living with my Father and taking care of him because he needed 24/7 care, then he passed away and left me with no job, no income, a bad back, and other medical problems. I am waiting for an appeal ruling on my SSI claim, a ruling on my Public Aid claim, and a decision on a cash grant I applied for.

Until then I need to pay $1.000 a month in bills, I raised enough to pay my bills for September, then the donations suddenly stopped.

Then I got a bill for my truck Insurance for $295.00, so now I need to raise another $1.200 by October 1st.

My paypal is: [e-mail]

And my website donation page is here:

http://www.oreilly-sucks.com/donate.htm

P.S. And if anyone wants to see documentation proving I have filed for SSI, Public Aid, and the foundation grant, I have a digital camera I can take photos of them, and I will be glad to show anyone proof I need help, including the death certificate for my Father or the obit.

In fact, here is a link to his obit in the local paper, my Fathers name is Florian D. Senti, my name is Steven Senti, I have a brother Scott and a brother Vernon:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pjstar/obituary.aspx?n=florian-senti&pid=164816241#fbLoggedOut

[Mojorabbit]

128. .

[Turborama]

8. K&R & bookmarking to check back later to see if it needs another one.

You are an amazing person, and please don't ever forget that.

Thanks for all you do to help others

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. Thank you. K&R n/t

[LWolf]

10. K&R

[In_The_Wind]

11. Kick & Recommended

[Bluenorthwest]

14. I'm sending you a pm

with a note or two

[NikolaC]

15. K&R

[Katashi_itto]

17. Where can you contribute?

[d_r]

21. kick and rec

[OneGrassRoot]

22. Contribute in what way, Katashi_itto?

Do you mean financially, or contribute in other ways?

This most recent Help a DUer OP provides links to those who have asked for help:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023623242


The Wishlist link is here, where all the requests are posted (DUers and others not part of DU):

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist


Responding to the Wishlist posts with mere acknowledgment and offering emotional support can be a priceless contribution. Truly.


And, to contribute (not tax deductible though) toward the expenses of the Wishadoo website itself, here's the link

http://www.wishadoo.org/support-wishadoo/

[Katashi_itto]

23. Likely both. I am shooting a supernatural thriller movie series,

and would like to assign a % of it's sales.

Don't go beserk,it's indie, we operate on a small budget

But you have a noble cause and i would like to help.

[OneGrassRoot]

26. hahaha....

I won't go berserk! Promise.

I simply appreciate the thought. It means a lot.

Thank you and BEST WISHES to you!!! (I have a lot of author friends at Wishadoo, one of whom with a book being developed into a movie...script stage. I want to help Wishadoo members in all ways, including promoting their creative ventures and other enterprises, so please keep me posted if you end up joining the site.)

[Katashi_itto]

28. Yes would like to join the site, thanks!

Where do I go?

[OneGrassRoot]

29. Here ya go:

http://www.wishadoo.org/user/register

[Katashi_itto]

30. Thanks very much will register once I get home!

[grantcart]

118. Regarding his offer to assign a percent of sales to Wishadoo . .

Maybe there is an idea there for a corporate tie in.

Could you approach film makers for a very small percent (one tenth of 1%) of the gross in exchange for Wishadoo members beating the drums on social media for that movie.

Movies require a big hit on the first two weeks and after that the drop off is tremendous. For that reason they invest millions in advertising and now on social media for early pre release publicity.

Maybe you could develop a list of Wishadoo supporters who would be willing to take action on social media (posting on their facebook account for example) any movie that agrees to support Wishadoo. In that way you could start building a NON FINANCIAL way of contributing for thousands of people who want to support Wishadoo but cannot do so financially.

Thought it was an interesting idea.

Also I think it might be helpful if you were to publish a Wishadoo OP on a regularly scheduled basis on DU so that it becomes something of a regular feature in the same way the art quizzes, photo contests and Sunday LOL cat thread is, maybe every Friday. That way people who do have a little money they would be willing to contribute could look forward to that thread and its updates.

[OneGrassRoot]

120. Yes, yes and YES!!!!

THANK YOU GRANTCART!!!

(Yes, I meant to do all caps)

Fabulous idea. I had the idea a year or so ago to help promote my author friends by having them auction a signed copy of their book or offer a themed basket based around their book in Wishadoo's marketplace (like ebay for good). But, since most of them don't have a huge following/platform yet, that would likely be more disappointing and depressing for them.

But your suggestion is a twist -- a brilliant twist.

This brings me back to something I wrestled with at the inception of Wishadoo though. While anyone who resonates with the values imbued in Wishadoo -- compassion, cooperation, community, integrity -- are welcome there, what if a member asked for help (and offered a portion of proceeds) for a creative endeavor that isn't reflective of those values?

I'm honestly not sure how I'd handle that. I'm not a purist...about anything...but I do want to have a solid foundation and set workable parameters to avoid huge conflicts and stay in integrity, ya know?

Any thoughts about that? Thanks again, and thanks also for introducing me to a new word and new concept a couple of weeks ago. It's been quite a trigger for me to explore and see things in a new way.

[grantcart]

122. My suggestion

is that at this point you may want to change from thinking about specific proposals and think more about process.

For example maybe it is time that you have a "Public Board" of a dozen or so people that would work on these issues.

You could draw from people already interested as well as try to invite some key business person in a business area that you are interested in developing.

This will help you with a peer group that everyone needs (and the reason that corporations have boards). For example there is little more I could contribute on the question of a film tie in than I already have. However if you had somebody from the film industry on the board they would be able to provide valuable inside information. They might be able to say "This is what you have to do and this is who you have to talk to".

I think the key here is very much along the lines of Twitter and other social media. Build the community and don't worry about how to "monetize it". If you even had 10,000 people that were linked to Wishadoo on social media you then would have an asset that you could "market" with appropriate commercial matches. You would exchange an expensive social network that has an activist bent to promote a product that was in harmony to what Wishadoo is all about.

I believe that you have a lot more to offer businesses than you may currently realize.

Promotion of suitable products (like an independent film) is one thing. Businesses face some of the same problems that you do. For example one of the questions you face at Wishadoo is how to evaluate a request. Over time you will develop a reliable mechanism that will answer much of this problem. Through experience you will continue to find ways that protect privacy concerns and give some level of assurance to benefactors that there is some legitimacy in the request.

Think about it, Business face the same challenge. For example there was a comment from a property manager that they constantly faced decisions about trying to help people make the right decision but felt that they were constantly ripped off. Perhaps in time Wishadoo could become the "go to" place for a business to refer the inquiries they get (and they are bombarded with them) but are unable to assist. I am sure that there are many businesses that would like to help in particular ways but simply are not comfortable in trying to weed out who is worthy and who isn't.

Business is all about one key thing: Solving problems.

If you can solve the problem that businesses have in sorting out legitimate humanitarian requests then they will want to support you because you have made their lives a little bit easier.

In order to understand their side of the problem you have to bring them into the conversation and see it from their point of view, and that is what a board can do for you. If you have 3-4 business owners on the board and they all say "this is the problem we have with requests for help and we would like to help but don't have the time or expertise to respond" then you will be on the way for a business tie in.

Beyond helping businesses solve their problem there is also an obvious upside for business involvement: They would benefit from good publicity.

Again my observation is that you have done a tremendous job in establishing a platform that is needed, worthwhile and well thought out. To take it to the next level you may want to spend more time working on the process of getting people involved rather than the actual day to day running of it.

There is also another reason that a board is going to be an assist to you. If this were to take off and resonate and become a much larger operation you will need to spend more and more time on it, and eventually there might be a need for staff. A board can help you by establishing an objective criteria for professional compensation for those that are employed to make it work.

I understand that you don't intend to 'get rich' with it but neither did Craig's list. If it is to go to a higher operational level then there will be legitimate questions of compensation that need an objective view.

Hope this helps.

[Heidi]

18. Kick!

[cliffordu]

19. K&R!!!!

[Myrina]

20. K&R for all you do, OGR

Once Mr. Foster Dog gets his needs taken care of, I hope to be in a position to help others again.

[NRaleighLiberal]

25. Kick and highly rec.

[WillyT]

27. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[dixiegrrrrl]

31. "It's amazing how much more energy it takes to be poor"

A truer statement never spoken.
Been there, done that, barely survived that, and had to make way too many sacrifices.
Takes an incredible amount of physical and emotional energy.

I see Wishadoo as a "pay it back" system, myself.

[Marrah_G]

32. kick

[niyad]

33. k and r

[JimDandy]

34. Can K & R, at least, so there you go, and good wishes! n/t

[Cryptoad]

35. If I may be so bold

as to recommend that you condense your post for clarity,,,, it is really hard to grasp what you are saying...

[OneGrassRoot]

46. Done. ;)

[L0oniX]

50. "it is really hard to grasp what you are saying" The problem is not with the op IMO.

Looks like most of the others here do understand.

[Cryptoad]

52. No need for personal insults,,,,,

Everybody is not as smart as you.

[L0oniX]

53. Irony escapes you?

Maybe you also did not notice that most of the other responders did understand the op.

[Cryptoad]

56. No

[blackspade]

36. Punt!

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. rec!

[japple]

38. Kicking with highest regards to you, OGR, for everything

you do to raise awareness of the need to help others. Love the graphic you made of animals "Be Human - Be Kind." I've shared it on my humane group's facebook page.

[NYC_SKP]

41. And KICKED!

[FedUpWithIt All]

42. I think it's wonderful what you've done.

I wish i could be a bigger supporter financially. Unfortunately we're a one income family (I have PTSD and have difficulty keeping a regular job) and it makes things very month to month.

I will try to look around and see if anything comes up that will allow us to help out in another way.

[UtahLib]

43. K&R

Living in such trying times seems to, perhaps understandably, promote great cynicism. My wish for you and for Wishadoo is that people will be reminded that helping when we are able is a blessing in and of itself.

Thank you for your caring heart.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

48. Sadly, we are no longer --

the community that raised funds for Andy's surgery or roses for Helen.

You are doing everything you can under the current circumstances. I will do my best to help keep your posts visible, and share them whenever I can.

Thank you for caring, and thank you for trying.

[rbrnmw]

49. Sadly I was one of the people who asked for help

then either I wasn't believed or not many could help but I had tons of proof that I was never asked for But I have come to admire OneGrassRoot and others here who are always are there to help anyone in need
ONG

On edit please help those in need if you can If I ever come into money wishadoo will be the first place I donate to.

[OneGrassRoot]

92. ...

[JI7]

113. i'm sorry, what was it that you needed help for ?

are you still in need of it ?

[Demo_Chris]

54. kick!

[Ninga]

55. Thank YOU!

[Duer 157099]

57. KnR n/t

[grasswire]

58. Pay it forward, friendswho can.

....because most of us could be in that unenviable position tomorrow in the blink of an eye.

Pay it forward.

[jtuck004]

59. K&R n/t

[cantbeserious]

63. Kick And Recommend

eom

[memory]

64. K & R

[Lucinda]

65. KnR

♥

[ismnotwasm]

66. K&R

[Lifelong Protester]

67. K & R and pay it forward

Last edited Thu Sep 12, 2013, 11:59 PM - Edit history (1)

Thank you for all you do! If everyone who posted on DU could give a couple of bucks or some words of encouragement to those in need (if you don't have the couple of bucks) the community would do well.

I try to donate,at lease a little, and hey, we all 'blow' a few bucks a week that we could share with someone in need (yes, I know, some folks have NO bucks to blow, but if you do...)

[CK_John]

68. I disapprove, this forum is not the place for soliciting. Next it will become a scam artist mecca.

[Egalitarian Thug]

71. At least Wishadoo does good. He/they are not spamming the board pimping their blog,

promoting their "radio show", hoping to launch a career in politics, or using it to validate their delusions of political relevance.

[Safetykitten]

82. "Scam artist mecca"...you do know we talk about politicians here don't you?

[broiles]

85. I give to a lot of worthy causes, but don't want to be approached here.

I don't like calls, emails, commercials that try to get me to give, especially here where I come for politics. This could be a scam, I don't know. Once a year my husband and I sit down to figure out how much we could give and who do give it to. We research our targets to see how much of each donated dollar actually gets to the target. This is not the place to hustle money.

[OneGrassRoot]

86. wow...

If you read my OP in its entirety you'd know that neither Wishadoo nor I are about "hustling money."

Just as people use discernment with ads on websites, and just as you no doubt use discernment to choose which posts to read and reply in, you could use discernment and ignore the Help a DUer posts.

Otherwise, I get your point and respect your position.

[Safetykitten]

87. "This is not the place to hustle money." Again, you do know we talk about politicians?

[JanMichael]

126. Then hide

the thread. You aren't being "hustled." The owner of this forum has approved this. Furthermore, if you had been here any length of time, you would recall with the DU community came together to raise funds for surgery for a member who later passed away. There have been plenty of times DU has come together for members...funerals, flowers, etc.

Just don't click on the threads you don't want to read. No one is "hustling" you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

69. Kick

[tblue37]

70. KnR. nt

[Bryn]

72. K&R

Kick for more viewing ...

[Scuba]

73. One small suggestion: We need to see public celebration of the successes ...

... perhaps you do post about people who've been helped, but if so, it's not getting enough attention. It would be especially great if DU'ers who've been helped would come forward, even if anonymously through you.


Thanks for what you do.

[OneGrassRoot]

74. From your fingertips to those DUers' ears....

eyes...well, you know.

I agree. I've put out requests in the past for people to please share their stories -- here, at Wishadoo, wherever.

Trying to obtain followups/updates while a Wishlist post is active is hard enough (if I had help, that would be a great task for one person to focus on; I may see if I can find a volunteer specifically for that task). Asking people to write something up about their experience is absolutely needed and would help so much, but for a variety of reasons, even though people have good intentions, it doesn't seem to happen.

It would be wonderful if DUers (those still here; others helped in the past aren't even here any more) would post in one thread dedicated to sharing those experiences, as a giver and/or recipient. I could then use them as quotes on the site, on a testimonial page, but if it's shared here people won't think I'm making it up. lol (Edit to add, it would make for a great testimonial video!)

I know for a fact that not feeling so alone during horribly difficult times can make all the difference in the world, even if the problem in question isn't solved or fixed, per se.

Great suggestion, Scuba. Hopefully I can follow through on this with help from others.

[stewert]

95. I Have Been Helped............

Thanks to OGR and other here I asked for help and got it, I raised about $1.100 in 4 days, and that paid my bills for September, so I did very well.

But I do need to raise another $1.200 to pay my bills for October, and that is going pretty slow. This is a temporary assistance to get me to November, by then I hope to find out about my SSI appeal, get a ruling on my Public Aid claim, and find out if the Sunshine Lady Foundation approved my grant.

So you guys did great, and you donated $1.000 to me to pay my bills this month.

And I hope to have some money someday and I will use part of it to give back. Without your help I would be sitting here right now with none of my bills paid and no idea what to do until I can find out about my SSI appeal, etc. I just need to get to November, and then I hope to know what I am going to get by then.

My Father passed away in May and left me with no income, no job, a bad back and other medical problems and no way to support myself. I have been living with the help of my family, and a small life insurance policy, but that money ran out about 2 weeks ago. I lived with my Father and took care of him 24/7, for the last 3 years. Now I am 53 years old and pretty much disabled.

I have even tried to find work I can do and I can not even get a job interview, nothing. At my age and with my non-work history nobody will even give me a job interview.

Steve

[JI7]

114. is there a way to see how much you have raised or still need ?

sometimes people might not know whether they can donate until later when they have finished paying whatever they owe. and then if they have something left over they could try to help with that.

[OneGrassRoot]

121. Hey, J17...here are answers:

I wanted to find the question you posted yesterday, and reply before I get to work, but just saw this question as well.

If you look at stewert's Wishlist post, you'll see that a few of your questions are answered in the Wishlist posts themselves:

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/196/money-to-help-me-pay-my-bills-until-november/


You should be able to see the fundraising widget within the Wishlist post, after the description, which shows the progress of a fundraiser. (I do have to update this widget manually, as I'm importing it from a third party; another DUer found it for me since PayPal did away with their own third-party widget. If fundraisers are going to remain a significant part of Wishadoo, I'm hoping to raise funds to upgrade the site to include a custom widget that automatically ties in with a Wishadooer's Wishlist post rather than having to update manually.)

Also, you can see which state or country the person lives in, which you asked about elsewhere. I may try to tweak it to include the city as well.

Regarding existing resources, that is a HUGE part of what I want Wishadoo to offer.

And, as those resources are gathered and shared, I have another site -- a directory -- where I want to list and organize those existing resources that other Wishadoo members are recommending.

http://www.findhelpdirectory.info/

Hope that helps. Thanks!

[stewert]

127. J17............

If you go to my wishadoo page here:

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/196/money-to-help-me-pay-my-bills-until-november/

You can scroll down and see how much I have raised, and it is up to date now.

I raised $1.105.00, which paid my bills for September, and I have $105.00 now. So now I need to raise another $1.200 to pay my bills for October, which includes a $295.00 truck insurance bill I just got. I have $1.000 a month in bills, and I just need to raise enough money to pay my bills for October.

Then I hope to get some help from someone by November, and either win my SSI appeal, or get my Public Aid claim approved, or hopefully get a grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation. I have contacted my Congressman (Aaron Schock) to look into my SSI claim, and my State Senator to look into my Public Aid claim.

I also got a postcard from the Sunshine Lady Foundation telling me they got my application, but it will take up to 8 weeks to have a consultant contact me, which would be around November 9th.

So right now I need to raise another $1.200, and over the last few days I have not had any donations.

If anyone can donate you can go to my wishadoo page, or send it to my paypal:

[e-mail]

And you can use my website donation page:

http://www.oreilly-sucks.com/donate.htm

I will also sell the primary ad spot at the top center of the main page for a really good price if anyone wants to buy advertising on my website. I do have the #1 Google rank for websites about Bill O'Reilly, and I get about 30,000 unique hits a month.

Steve

[Kali]

75. kick

and a little help for the site

[gopiscrap]

76. wish I could help right now but

can't I am broke...fucking medical bills.

[MVNGFWD2013]

77. Kick!

So much great information. Thnx

[MotherPetrie]

78. K&R

[Blanks]

79. Feel free to add me to list if folks...

That you contact whenever you create a 'help a DUer thread'. I'll be glad to rec it if I know it's out there.

[Arcanetrance]

80. I'd definitely like to be emailed when you post the help threads

I think what you do is great and the out pour I got from you and others here when my cat was I'll and I was in a tough spot and would like to help however I can

[emsimon33]

81. K&R

[shireen]

83. i have tremendous admiration for you.

After reading your previous post, I went to the site and made a couple of donations. But as I scrolled down the wish list, i became really overwhelmed by the need. I wish I could do more to help. But I can't help everyone and I hate having to decide who to help.

Middle class people like me have small amounts to contribute. Wishadoo makes us choose who gets the money. That's very difficult when there are so many pleas for help. $5 may not seem like much for one or two people. But when you multiply it by all the people in need, you're forced to make hard choices. So we choose the few we can afford, and leave feeling bad about not being able to help others.

Many people, myself included, have a lot of stress in our lives. One coping mechanism we all use to get through the day is to avoid more sources of stress. I think that's why more people are not responding to wishadoo. It's not because we don't care. It's because we're protecting ourselves from stress that comes in the form of helplessness and frustration when we can't help people who need us.

I'm speaking as someone who has given too much. In the past, my compassion has driven me to make donations using my credit card, to pay off later, because I did not have the available cash. That's a really stupid irresponsible financial act. It dug me even deeper into financial trouble. Now, I have to be more disciplined about how I donate; I make small regular contributions to causes i care deeply about. But every now and then, I break down and donate in moments of "weakness" to allay the guilt i feel for having a job and being able to afford to live in comfort while others struggle financially with their lives.

Your plan for Wishadoo was built on love, compassion, and empathy. I deeply admire that. But realistically, unless you find some wealthy benefactors, you will not be able to meet the goals you set out for this cause. I hope there are people on DU who specialize in fundraising and grant writing, who can give you some professional advice that can keep your dream alive.

[OneGrassRoot]

84. This is a really, really important point and poignant insight...

Thank you for taking the time to reply, shireen.

I HEAR YOU. I really, really, really hear you.

As I mention periodically, compassion fatigue is very real. Those of us who are more empathetic/sensitive to others' pain and suffering can easily become overwhelmed in the world.

I absolutely understand what you're saying. I know without a doubt that most people avoid looking through the Wishlist for the reasons you state, rather than them being heartless or uncaring. I don't think that at all.

(I wonder if the same applies to the lack of K&Rs...the whole vibe of the OP brings people down and they don't even view or K&R the OPs? that may be the case. I understand about not engaging with the Wishlist, but the lack of views for the OPs is what has me puzzled.)

I have several dear, dear friends -- very generous souls -- who have been very honest with me, telling me they can't go to the Wishlist. It breaks their heart.

Of course, while I understand that, it also breaks my heart, because I'm trying to easily offer ways for people to connect and help one another directly -- human to human, not to a nameless/faceless organization -- to not only decrease suffering but increase joy.

What I wonder, however, is if there is a way -- as part of this social experiment -- to work through the discomfort you describe? You are NOT alone at all.

I understand that you feel badly that you can't help everyone, but perhaps if you were able to shift your perspective a wee bit, and stick with a budget (if you can only comfortably afford $5 one month, only donate $5 to whichever post tugs at your heart the most or which you resonate with the most). And, as I also say repeatedly, don't even worry about donating. Just offer a virtual hug and let them know you wish them well...that you SEE them.

I've become the queen of setting boundaries over the years -- for the sake of my own sanity -- so I do realize what I just suggested is easier said than done.

Still, it's important, imho.

I also desperately want to inject joy and fun into Wishadoo (I have tools waiting to be activated at Wishadoo, like do-gooder activity points, for lack of a better term...lol), so that Wishadoo is not associated with suffering. That is very important to me.

I really would love to work through what you have shared here. This is a key point and I know others feel the same way.

While, as admin, I can't pick and choose posts to highlight, I am keeping an open mind to a repeated suggestion that the community itself (the Wishadoo Community members) can select a post or two each month to focus on. They could be highlighted in that way, and then perhaps it would make life easier for you since choosing is indeed difficult.

I hope others chime in here.

Thank you SO MUCH for doing so.

[OneGrassRoot]

88. Sorry, adding more because this is really important...

I just wanted to add that I understand I can't make Wishadoo appealing to everyone; I gave up on that a long time ago.

This type of interaction, one which requires the potential "helper" to pick and choose who they help -- but again, hugs and acknowledgement are free -- is not for everyone, whether they have financial resources or not.

I didn't want you to feel pressured into helping me find a solution. There may not be one in the case of what you describe, and I completely respect that.

Truly.


Also, with regard to working with wealthy persons and nonprofits, that takes it away from the one-on-one human interaction I'm trying to nurture as it concerns the Wishlist aspect of Wishadoo. I do have other projects waiting to launch (related to Wishadoo) and plan seek such partnerships for those, including Six Degrees of Compassion, for example.

Okay, I'll shut up. Thanks again.

[riderinthestorm]

108. +1000 for this post. And a kick for One Grass Root's efforts nt

[Joe Shlabotnik]

89. Thanks OneGrassRoot

for all the effort you put in to helping others. A heartfelt K&R.

[hwmnbn]

90. K&R

[Union Scribe]

91. I had no idea you actually created Wishadoo!

I'm glad I clicked on this. It's so easy for board drama and other stuff to obscure posts from people trying to really help people. I'm bookmarking the Wishlist and thank you for the difficult job you do connecting people to the help they need.

[rurallib]

93. kicking for the evening group

got no money today, but I can kick.

[OneGrassRoot]

94. Here is an awesome quote from a fellow DUer...

Regarding the sense of easily feeling overwhelmed by the needs all around, especially when we are struggling ourselves:

But it's also the idea of just a little bit. If everybody just tried a little bit. Stretched just a little bit. Gave just a little bit. Sometimes you have to look at what you don't want to see. Sometimes that might be all you have to give. Being seen and acknowledged can mean the world to someone- even if you can't help them with the rent.

[FirstLight]

96. ... I admire your candor and efforts *SO* much!!!

Wishadoo! has helped me on occasion and seeing the amazing work you have done making it look professional, having a working platform, etc has been a total inspiration...

That said, I want to try and address a plethora of issues this thread has brought to light.

- Compassion Fatigue is very real and there's not much we can do about it.

- DU is NOT the once loving and heartfelt community it used to be, more cynicism and hostility than ever before.
Many of the new people here are definitely "bootstrap thinkers" as posted above, so they don't really give a crap if you or I are struggling...and are even less inclined to be helpers of those less fortunate. I wanted to dive in and get ugly with the posters above who asked for 'verification' that someone was really who they said they wee or really needed help, that's bullshit IMO...why not have them fill out a form like social services in triplicate? Also, those who posted they are not happy about being 'solicited' on this site pissed me off as well...People post here asking for campaign donations, to plug their blog or webcast, etc...and it's not seen as soliciting. Nor is it very often that we see those posts...so the idea that this board will become inundated by people asking for stuff is ludicrous.

- Okay....and here's some of my suggestions for Wishadoo! I really think the grant angle for startup is a good one. Even if you don;lt continue it over the years, why not use some up front relief so you CAN invest in marketing or development or using funds for helping some of those in need? If Boys&Girls club can get grants, if the Tahoe Arts Project can get grants to bring entertainers to the schools, surely you can find some grants to help with the boosting of this Community Effort!
I also understand the person upthread who said they had a hard time deciding WHO to help, and yet couldn't help everyone...
There should be a General Donation button or feature on Wishadoo that allows for blanket donations so people don't have to make those decisions of they don't want to...To make it more manageable on YOUR end, you could have them choose a category or two they want their donation to go towards. But I think it could streamline the process for those who want to make donations, but can't get bogged down with everyone's story or maybe don't have the time to make those decisions. I wonder if that would also allow for bigger chunks of donation money to come in - because then it's a one-stop experience, and they get to feel like they helped, and you have more to work with...

This is just a little bit of all that I was thinking to add as I read the thread. I mean it when I say I want to help as well, but my biggest deficit right now is TIME. Since going back to school I have been on a constant treadmill of papers and reading, plus being a single mom with few resources myself. I know so well the stuff you are dealing with in terms of trying to ensure your OWN survival...but in the meantime look at what an amazing job you have done to bring this idea to fruition. It's coming along, dear. I know it is just getting up on it's feet to walk, soon it will run ......and then FLY!


HUGE K&R!!!!!!!!!! "we're all in this together"

[OneGrassRoot]

116. Thank you, FirstLight!!!

I sincerely appreciate your reply and the excellent suggestions!!! Especially since time is not your friend these days.

I also understand the person upthread who said they had a hard time deciding WHO to help, and yet couldn't help everyone...
There should be a General Donation button or feature on Wishadoo that allows for blanket donations so people don't have to make those decisions of they don't want to...To make it more manageable on YOUR end, you could have them choose a category or two they want their donation to go towards. But I think it could streamline the process for those who want to make donations, but can't get bogged down with everyone's story or maybe don't have the time to make those decisions. I wonder if that would also allow for bigger chunks of donation money to come in - because then it's a one-stop experience, and they get to feel like they helped, and you have more to work with...

This is a FABULOUS suggestion!!!

Thanks to replies here, I see how this is a real hurdle, and that if I can somehow make it easier, it would help all involved to feel better about the process.

I'm going to need more feedback as I dive into this aspect more -- how a general donation button could work -- so I'll be bugging you.



Oh, and thanks for the offer to help regarding proposals and such. I have zero experience with that.

[me b zola]

97. Kick & Recommended

[malaise]

98. K & R

You're wonderful

[Liberal_in_LA]

99. thank u for informing us about those in need.

[liberaltrucker]

100. K&R

You're doing the Lord's work.

[Omaha Steve]

101. Encouraging to see the R's for this post

K&R!

[JI7]

102. can you provide info on what kind of help most people request ?

i'm guessing most of it is stuff like paying bills. is there an average amount that most request ?

if maybe you can give just info such as where the person is located , it doesn't have to be very specific but city and state . people who are familiar with the area might be able to provide info on people and places in that area that could help.

[Flaxbee]

103. kicking. Thanks for the reminder, OneGrassRoot

[LumosMaxima]

104. I would be giving if I could.

This is a very painful topic for me and I can't say much about it, but I wanted to acknowledge your post.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

105. K & R

[MannyGoldstein]

106. Is there a way I could automatically give $X per month to Wishadoo

(Where X is a small number) and Wishadoo would decide where it goes? I think PayPal has an automatic monthly payment option.

Giving a bit here and there requires too much brainpower for me. I trust you, so I trust that you'd distribute it well. If you could get a bunch of DUers to do this...

Also a book I recommend: The Lean Startup. It might be helpful in tuning Wishadoo's offerings.

[OneGrassRoot]

134. I'm sorry I missed this, Manny...

Thanks.

There are many great suggestions, and yours are among them. I appreciate it.

I'm going to sit with everything and explore it more.

a2liberal's suggestion, which isn't the first of its kind, makes me think I should create a poll today or tomorrow to let DUers chime in as to whether they'd rather have a group here at DU which essentially serves the same purpose as Wishadoo's Wishlist (so long as admins approve, of course), or continue to handle such things via Wishadoo's platform.

Actually, it's easier to read a2liberal's comment and my reply to it.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023652112#post132


Thanks for the book recommendation as well!

[JNelson6563]

107. Try trash talking Obama in your title.

As you have probably noticed, that draws recs like shit draws flies.

I wish I had more to offer besides support in spirit my dear. I am very sorry to hear you are struggling with difficulties of your own.



Julie

[OneGrassRoot]

115. Okay, you made me LOL....

I always struggle with inserting a "fuck" or other profane word in the subject line, just for the hell of it.



There are so many GREAT suggestions here. Reading them now before I have to focus on work-work.

I appreciate the replies here so much.

Thanks, Julie!

Thanks, DU!

[A Little Weird]

109. K&R n/t

[Lady Freedom Returns]

110. Rec number 212! And a note...

Someone wrote to see some calibration about reaching the goal and such. Well, here is my Update.

I have been working to pay off the debt to family, I have a little nest egg and found out that today I have raised $100 of the $300 I have asked for to help have a small nest egg when I get back to Tucson.

[Liberty Belle]

111. Thanks for all you do I just registered, and shared on Facebook with a few thousand friends

urging them all to go on there and help someone if they can.

I also posted my own wish for our award-winning nonprofit media outlet's new radio show on the new KNSJ radio station (Network for Social Justice). We need portable recorders, microphones of all types, and small computers (ie notepad or tablet size) for our reporters to do recordings in the field. If anyone can help it would be deeply appreciated! We're reporting news for the people, not special interests, so it's tough to raise funds for the equipment that we need! My news site already has 150,000 readers, so we know what an impact we can make on radio, with a little bit of help.

If I get some equipment and don't have to scrimp or borrow to buy it I will make a donation on Wishadoo to help someone else in need very soon.

[Why Syzygy]

112. I have a couple of ideas.

Last edited Fri Sep 13, 2013, 09:31 AM - Edit history (1)

rough draft version.

I'm not entirely familiar with the site.

Instead of trying to meet the entire 'need', you could change to a scholarship model.
That fixes the amount of donation per request, and provides an "end" to the donation cycle.
It has to feel hopeless when there are still so many needs, and they just keep coming.

I would structure the scholarship program to include some minor qualifications. The only one that I think of is requiring participation in the forum you set up for all the 'needers'.

They need to make a profile (with their deets), and post at least one time to introduce themselves to the community.
Form your community there. They could be the emotional support for each other.
You would know best whether you should open the group up to the public or not.

I would encourage those who sign up to follow through with some local source to provide them ENCOURAGEMENT, such as an Intenders meeting (ducking for cover) in their area. You might be able to compile a resource of possibilities in those local areas, as the need requests come in.

I assume you have little meters to indicate the goal amount and how much is raised. You would set all those to the scholarship amount .. say, $50.00. If the program grows, you may be able to increase that amount. When it is reached, the donation cycle is complete.

It could be used as a promotional technique in an unbiased fashion. Promote someone who just signed up. When someone is within $5.00, say, promote that one as being so close! That gives a great amount of power (not helplessness) to the donating, as they choose how to give a gift for which they are making a sacrifice. They will know that the other needers (hate to keep using that word, but aren't we all) will eventually reach their goals too! Guilt free.

It seems to me that people who go there to post for a need are capable of some amount of participation.
We both know that anticipation, optimism and having a positive image of oneself goes a long way to meet our goals.

add: I don't think it out of the realm of possibility that someone could rejoin the program for an additional scholarship amount. Put them in a second group so their second request doesn't overtake the ones who haven't received yet. Not really sure about that working out, but if this is white board time, it fits.

[OneGrassRoot]

117. This entire reply is filled with so much awesome...

I can't even tell you.

THANK YOU, Why Syzygy. Truly...thank you so much.

Excellent ideas here, especially this:

I would structure the scholarship program to include some minor qualifications. The only one that I think of is requiring participation in the forum you set up for all the 'needers'.

They need to make a profile (with their deets), and post one time to introduce themselves to the community.
Form your community there. They could be the emotional support for each other.
You would know best whether you should open the group up to the public or not.

Simple yet brilliant.

[IdaBriggs]

119. Kick. nt

[G_j]

125. K&R

[glinda]

131. K & R n/t

[a2liberal]

132. I didn't read all the replies so far but

I have 2 ideas:

1.) See if the admins will agree to a group or forum where DUers who meet certain criteria (time of membership, etc.) can post their own requests

2.) This may seem like even more work on your part at least at first (maybe you could get someone to help you), but it may help to get more help to those who need it. I think some of the "compassion fatigue" comes from having to read all the stories and decide who to give to, resolve all the details of how to give, etc. Perhaps you could solicit some sort of monthly gift from "angels" that a trusted team could then divvy out to DUers in need?

[OneGrassRoot]

133. That's one way to go. :)

That may be something for this community to consider. I'm going to sit with all the suggestions above, including this, and my next OP may be a poll for DUers so others can chime in as to how they'd like this to work.

Doing it the way you suggest takes Wishadoo out of the equation. And that's okay!

If there are people willing to host such a group, and if they approach the admins with it and they agree, that is definitely one way to go.

I wouldn't want to personally organize or host it because that keeps my efforts even more confined and focused here in DU, and that's not my intention. I need to focus on expanding Wishadoo...beyond DU. There's a big world out there.

My intention is to offer these tools to MANY existing communities (online and "real" world). Not everyone who posts in the Wishlist now is from DU. I create the OPs here to point out the people who are DUers.

Even though people may connect to and acknowledge/help only people they know -- people from their community (like DU) -- who had the courage to create a Wishlist post about whatever it is they need or have to offer, my hope is that, while at Wishadoo, they will consider reaching out to the general Wishadoo Community as well. And check out the rest of the site. There's a lot more there than the Wishlist.

And, in turn, those who join Wishadoo who are NOT part of a community in any way may connect and find new friends there, including people from other communities they'd like to join -- such as DU, for example -- so it's a two-way street as far as connecting and expanding the larger community.

Other large online sites have subgroups which function as you suggest (reddit, for example).

While I am part of this DU community and want to foster genuine community here at DU, I don't want to isolate my Wishadoo-related efforts to one community. Inevitably it ends up that there are more who need help than those who are able/willing to do so. So reaching out and expanding connections is my goal. I'm all about collaboration and cooperation, whereas most other communities are rather isolationist. That's the second part of this social experiment called Wishadoo.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks very much.

[NYC_SKP]

135. Kick. (nt)