What is Charity these days?

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

I have been thinking that in these times "Charity" has a new meaning. It means joining up with a high profile cause for certain groups of people or places on the earth.

It ignores need on the basis of need, but rates need on the basis of how popular and how glamorous the need is to be involved with.

For example continuing this board would be a great act of charity. Obvioiusly it feels many needs of people who are ill, lonely, confused, facing an issue, needing advice, have nowhere to turn, wonder if a generator would be good for them, etc.

But you see these folks don't fit the fashionable and promotable profile. To keep this board going would be kindness and generosity, but hey, we wouldn't be worthy of a big PR campaign or brochures and ads about us.

So we don't rate in this day and age. And we wouldn't be a big tax write off, and we aren't worthy. We are just needy and that's not enough now.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

I'm not getting the correlation here. I don't consider someone continuing the QVC board (which it seems others have already set into motion) to be a charitable act. I think it would be nice but I don't consider that charitable. There are a lot of other platforms posters can go to. The problem is that people are choosing not to utilize those platforms.

I think the majority of everyday folks do charitable work and contribute to charities because it's a cause that touches their heart and has meaning to them. I don't think the majority of people do charitable work because it's glamorous. I would bet there are many, many people doing charitable work and most have no idea they are doing it.

I think this whole post is quite a stretch. I mean if this is the way you feel, why don't you start something?

cotton4me · ‎03-09-2010

Thank you @Sooner . I referred to such in my letter to Mr. Rawlinson, along with other things. I can only hope it appeals to the kinder side of corporate and the importance of spreading goodwill. There is such a thing a goodwill advertising - caring about the community you serve.

Bri369 · ‎11-03-2018

I don't see how continuing this board would be an act of charity. QVC is a business and they provided this board for a variety of reasons. It is no longer in their best interest economically to continue. That's the bottom line.

MG Chris · ‎09-10-2020

@Bri369 wrote:
I don't see how continuing this board would be an act of charity. QVC is a business and they provided this board for a variety of reasons. It is no longer in their best interest economically to continue. That's the bottom line.

Agreed. The bottom line is message boards are archaic and social media is where it is at. There are many platforms of social media most can find one they like. People have been given a perfectly fine solution with the creation of the pro board option. If they choose not to take it then that is on them.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Bri369 wrote:
I don't see how continuing this board would be an act of charity. QVC is a business and they provided this board for a variety of reasons. It is no longer in their best interest economically to continue. That's the bottom line.

@Bri369 If you will notice, charity is huge with companies these days. Think about October and breast cancer awareness month and all the advertising and products from companies for that charity.

Companies plant trees, dig water wells, and do a jillion other things for people. Except for a lot of forgotten people. Causes are fashionable these days--if they are the right causes--with business. It is a "must do."

reiki604 · ‎03-09-2010

@Bri369 wrote:
I don't see how continuing this board would be an act of charity. QVC is a business and they provided this board for a variety of reasons. It is no longer in their best interest economically to continue. That's the bottom line.

Thank you for putting it so clearly and succinctly. QVC owes us nothing. They have provided these boards for years and have recieved nothing but complaints and criticisms. They have had to police those who felt they were above the TOS or figured they were clever enough to slip one over on the mods. I can understand how these boards are more trouble than they are worth.

I have signed. up for the new boards and am curious to see how they will be moderated. Time will tell if the current board police will continue to tell us what we can and cannot post or if it well be an egilitatian board where all opiniions are taken seriously.

'I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man'.......Unknown

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@cotton4me wrote:
Thank you @Sooner . I referred to such in my letter to Mr. Rawlinson, along with other things. I can only hope it appeals to the kinder side of corporate and the importance of spreading goodwill. There is such a thing a goodwill advertising - caring about the community you serve.

@cotton4me Your thought prompted me to say this and I thought it was worth reinforcing about people that are overlooked today for more popular and fashionable help.

I applaud your letter 100 percent!

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@Sooner On some levels, I agree with you- especially on the need for community. That need most likely underlays the need millions have for joining a community of charity donors.

But the question I have about where I spend my money is what I am doing with it besides providing for myself. Using your idea that maintaining the boards would be a charitable action, that means when I buy from QVC I am also supporting these boards. if instead I order from Macy's or Ulta or Amazon or.. whatever companies have been touted in post after post after post in the last year, who am I currently loyal to and what charity am I now supporting?

That question leads me to my final thought which is, for me, loyalty and money are alike in one major way: both ask " What have you done for me lately?" In the end, business runs on money facts-- if past loyalty worked, couldn't we still shop at Gimbels or KMart or eat at Howard Johnson?

I am a loyal customer to QVC as long as we count years and years of spending, but recently not so much; I do hope the company survives, but I have so few needs for what they sell that I haven't even transferred that loyalty to some other company.

The boards have not convinced me to buy here or elsewhere for several years now, but I do think those who are still needing and wanting might be looking at where they choose to spend and why. Money does talk.

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

I signed onto the Proboard Q friend forum to be prepared for the November doomsday. It doesn't appeal to me, more of a make do.

True charity is not profitable for the benevolent, nor should it be.Companies that gain publicity for their charitable campaigns have been well paid for their "generosity".