Replies

Chuck, I've just about had enough of your despicable suggestions that somehow the cruise committee was dishonest or crooks. You seem to have a selective memory...let me help you out a bit.

Chuck Allen - "It was on this site that Bob posted a thread one night titled "Don't mention the Travel Agent Fee Split". Apparently some people had asked Seeking the Truth some questions about the cruise raising money. As a member of the committee I could not in good consciense continue to serve if the fact that raising funds was going to be concealed. Call me goofy or what ever, thats just the way I am."

Ok, you're goofy. Here are my comments to the cruise committee DIRECTLY from the thread you cite.

"Passengers DO NOT GET THIS REBATE on their room! This is OUR commission for booking the group! Gene mentioned that some people are expecting this to be applied to their room charges! BAD BAD BAD! If someone asks how we are making money on this, it is Ok to tell them that we are getting a bulk room booking rebate, but that this rebate goes to the NETWORK!"

So much for your quest for the truth and bringing it to the other passengers and Forum. What did you do Chuck, read the title, assume the worst and move on? There was never ANY intention to hide that this was a FUNDRAISER to help defray start up expenses for the Network. It was one of the 3 goals we set prior to embarking on it, and the fact is we thought it was so self evident (hundreds of groups have cruises to raise money)we didn't even think it about it. When it was brought to our attention, we added that phrase to the ad so people would know we were expecting to raise money. We also raised money through t shirt sales and a drawing for packages to next years CPAC. Are you telling me that under the sign where passengers bought tickets for the drawing, you would have insisted we add "BEWARE! THIS DRAWING IS A FUNDRAISER! IF YOU HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE NETWORK RAISING MONEY IN THIS FASHION, PLEASE DO NOT BUY A TICKET AS WE DO NOT WANT OFFEND ANYONE!

The rest of your accusations are as equally ridiculous and unfounded. Everyone going on the cruise knew this was a fundraiser to help defray expenses in launching the FR Network. No one paid a dime more than they would have booking with RCCL separately. We don't have any final figures yet because we have not received a final accounting from the cruise line. When we do, a report will be made to the Network Board of Directors and then they will decide where and when to best use the money to the advantage of the Network and further the goals of FReepers in general. Your assertions that these summaries need to be made to anyone else is simply absurd.

I am deeply insulted and angry that you would accuse these people, people have been your friends and worked alongside you and NEVER ONCE HAVE GIVEN YOU REASON TO QUESTION THEIR MOTIVES OR THEIR HONESTY. You owe EACH AND EVERYONE of them a apology.

The Cruise Committee

Badjoe (Chief FR Fundrasier)
diotima (Chicago Chapter President)
Commonsense (South Carolina Chapter President)
Ms.AntiFeminazi (Dallas Chapter President)
Seeking the Truth (Florida Chapter President and winner of last years "Chapter of the Year" Eagle Award)
LurkerNoMore! - (Dallas Chapter Leader and about the sweetest girl you would ever meet!)
Ironjack (Tireless volunteer helping to make the FR dream come true)
MinuteGal - (Florida Chapter leader and tireless volunteer for FR)
abner - (Another wonderful girl and tireless volunteer for FR)
Syncro - (All around great guy and team member!)

BTW - I can't believe you're trying to mischaracterize my concerned call to you. In case you don't remember (which would really shock me at this point) there were some upheavels and bad feelings on FR and the FAB around that time. A couple people got angry and bolted (I think they've all returned now). When Joe saw you cancel your monthly, he called me knowing that you and I were friends and thought it may be best to give you call and find out what was wrong. You know as well as I do the only reason I called was to check on your welfare and see if there was anything I could do or explain. This additonal mischaracterization is just too much for me. I don't know what happened to you Chuck, but I sure stinks.

Chuck allen said:

I was also troubled that Joe made my donation status available to Bob. I thought this was supposed to be confidential information. I refinanced my home and used some extra cash to close out my credit cards. I ask Joe to please stop my donation, fully intending to start back up as soon as I closed on my new loan. But I get a late night phone call from Bob asking me why I quit giving money to FR.

Bob J. said:

When Joe saw you cancel your monthly, he called me knowing that you and I were friends and thought it may be best to give you call and find out what was wrong. You know as well as I do the only reason I called was to check on your welfare and see if there was anything I could do or explain.

Chuck: I've lurked here for a long time, and have read many of the threads you posted to. I also lurk at the other site occasionally, and have seen your comments there. I haven't thought of you as someone who was out to "get" Jim Robinson, or FreeRepublic. I don't know the full extent of your problems with anyone here, but I had to post a comment in regards to Badjoe. I don't believe Badjoe would give out personal information about anyone, but I know that he cares alot about people. If Badjoe thought someone was upset, he would try to straighten things out. I know from personal experience that Badjoe is a good friend that would do anything to help if he could. I believe what Bob J. said about Badjoe being worried about you.

Dear Friends,

If any of you have taken my post to insinuate that any of you are crooks or dishonest, I truly sincerely apoligise to each of you. That was not my intent in any way shape or form. My only concern was one of appearence to the public FR fourm, and the lending of my name to something that didn't feel quite right to me. I stand by my feelings and cannot take them back. I wish nothing but the best for all of you and for FR. I wish things could change but sadly I'm afraid it's too late. I have informed JimRob that as of last night, of my own accord, I will not be posting to any web-site to discuss the workings of FR. I did reserve the right to correct any information when/if my name is used on any web-site. I would hope that some of you might re-read post #1840 and try to understand some of my concerns. Feel free to mail me and I will respond privately.

Again, apologies sent, hopfully accepted.

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays to All
chuck allen