MADD's `exorbitant costs' anger charity's volunteers

Toronto Star ^ | December 9, 2006 | KEVIN DONOVAN

[Rembrandt]

"Yes, the damned seatbelt law is hideous and abused. The lowering of the legal level of blood alcohol is also insidious."

Point oh two is in the future, then a couple of years after that will be a "hint" of alcohol on your breath. Jail!

Welcome back, Carrie Nation.

[ME-262]

The worst is when the FOP(Fraternal Order of Police) call. I tell them that while I respect our law officers, their Union can go to hell and needs to stop trying to pass for a charity.

[dfwgator]

Drinkers Against Mad Mothers (DAMM) spends its money right where it says it's going to: at the bar buying pitchers.

I "give until it hurts."

[TheWriterTX]

Not necessarily.

I'm the ED of a not for profit professional organization, and I'm not rolling in big bucks. I make a great hourly wage, but only work part-time. For what my association needs and what I do (cause yes, I'm that damn good at it), they don't need to pay me full-time.

My philosophy has always been to do more with less, make it better by streamlining and cutting away waste. Invest as much as possible back into the organization. Control costs, control costs, control costs and host programs where the fee to attend is just a hair over what it took to put it together. I've never strong-armed anyone for sponsorship, never hunted down funds just to justify my salary, and never played footloose with the association's money.

You know what? We've grown almost 100% in membership, 150% in sponsorship, and 50% in new programs and services in just 3 years. Sponsors are lining up to support our organization because they like what we are doing and see value in it.

Organizations that have to hire paid professional fund raisers have lost their vision, are top heavy, and need a total revamping. We easily fit the 60% model - but dedicated leadership, a great Board of Directors, and a whole group of fantastic volunteers, make it possible!

[raygun]

Since when has MADD been nothing more than a victims-retribution group instead of the victem's advocacy group they've been proclaiming.

I'd like to see a full public auditing of MADD's budget.

I'd like to see the funds donated by everybody worldwide spend for victim benefit.

How much of MADD's black budget goes to beareucratucical "adminstrative fees"?

[newzjunkey]

investigation reveals most of the high-profile charity's money is spent on fundraising and administration, leaving only about 19 cents of each donor dollar for charitable works.

81% of donations go into getting more donations? That sound more criminal than charitable.

[Condor51]

In a SW suburb of Chicago the MADD Chapter Chairperson (Female) is now in prison for embezzling most of the money. She had a 'little' gambling problem and spent it in the area Casinos.

[Hardastarboard]

police checkpoints reminiscent of Nazi Germany

GRRRRRRRR!!! I've only been caught in one of those, but I'd have a hard time convicting anyone who shot their way out of one if I were on a jury. Talk about infuriating. It wasted an HOUR of my time late on a Saturday night when I was trying to get sleepy, tired, grouchy children (including myself) home.

[IronJack]

I "give until it hurts."

That's the kind of generosity DAMM needs. Won't you make a donation at your local tavern, inn, pub, or bawdy house? A brewer or distiller somewhere will thank you for it, and you will make his season a little brighter.

[EGPWS]

But a Star investigation reveals most of the high-profile charity's money is spent on fundraising and administration, leaving only about 19 cents of each donor dollar for charitable works.

I'll just not drink and drive in support of MADD.

That leave more money for spirits at home... ; - )

If the taxes on alcohol netted 19 cents on the dollar for product I would quit!

[EGPWS]

"These are exorbitant costs," said Sue Storey, whose mother was killed and father injured when their car was hit by a drunk driver in 1999. Storey is the co-founder of MADD's Dufferin chapter.

Sue, Sue, Sue...PAC's and politicians don't come cheap these day's.

[Sword_Svalbardt]

Ping!

[Unicorn]

BTTT

[GATOR NAVY]

IMHO any group that does not spend at least 80% of their budget towards program expense should lose their charity designation and be considered a subsidiary of the professional fundraising company.

Exactly. My thought when I saw they spent 19 cents on the dollar for their actual charity was that I wouldn't give to them even if the number was reversed. I don't give to any charity that has admin costs over 10%.

[Howlin]

O/T, but funny, concerning "telemarketers:"

http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com/

[EGPWS]

O/T, but funny, concerning "telemarketers:"

ROTFLMAO!!!!

You have given me a "Bob and Tom" moment!

Bless your heart! : - )

[Howlin]

I knew you'd love that. :-)

[100%FEDUP]

Officers of the RED CROSS make 6 figures annually!

[TNLawyer]

"A good idea gone bad, just like any other beaurocracy."


You said it early on... that's all that needs to be said in this thread.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Officers of the RED CROSS make 6 figures annually!

An interesting excerpt from a report by David J. Hanson Ph D. published about MADD:

Although the organization's net worth exceeds $25 million dollars, MADD has paid telemarketers huge fees to raise tens of millions of dollars per year from hard-working Americans. It would appear that raising money has become an end in itself at the MADD bureaucracy, with high salaries ranging close to $200,000.00 per year, numerous employees, and huge retirement funds.

Salaries/benefits for some at this "volunteer" organization are estimated at:

Dean Wilkerson $311, 919.00

Bobby Heard $189,489.00

Janice Bloom $154,248.00

Kyle Ward $152,619.00

Within a period of two decades, Mothers Against Drunk Driving has degenerated from a public service organization devoted to reducing traffic fatalities into an anti-alcohol bureaucracy largely focused on raising ever more money for itself.

Not a poor 'lil 'ol charity at all!!