Amnesty International

[bolt pp]

Yesterday i was absolutely knackered after finishing up for the night but had to run a few errands before bed.

It was about 11am and there were a group of charity workers talking to people in the high street.

Ive got my baseball cap and sunglasses on and my earphones in, not deterred by this one particular girl followed me about 100 yards up the street, she was so persistant and enthusiastic that i thought it polite to at least listen to what she had to say.

The charity she was working for were Amnesty International.

I was so tired that i really didn't want to listen but after hearing her explain what they did, what they stood for, and why she was involved, i couldn't really find any justification for not signing up to donate.

I can well afford the £5 a week that i wound up donating, the charity was worthy and credible, and if this girl was willing to give up her time and make the effort shouldn't I?

I used to give to the nspcc and had planned to again, in fact given the choice would do so over amnesty international, so what I'm wondering is what is an unworthy charity? and will i feel compelled to sign up to every charity that approaches me in the street because in theory i should.

It just so happens that it was them on this particular day.

What i was wondering was how worthy a charity do you think Amnesty International are and with no strong desire to donate but no discernable reason not to would you have signed up?

Plus this girl was absolutely gorgeous 

[Colchester Kev]

LOL LOL ... The last line would have been the clincher for me too

[Robert HM]

This is one of the most worthwhile charities around. If you had to choose one to support this has to be high up on the list.

[Moskvich]

I also got done on the street by Amnesty, a few years ago now. Similarly, I don't begrudge them the money, but I do now make a point of not talking to any more clipboarded salespeople. I believe (not entirely sure where I got this from, but I've got a feeling there was some sort of TV expose about it a while back) that the people who accost you don't necessarily have any actual affiliation with the charity - they tend to work for some sort of agency, which gets hired by the charity to do this work for them. The agency obviously has to get paid, and therefore the charity doesn't actually see any of your money for the first year or whatever (depending presumably on how much you give them). It's therefore actually better for the charity if you just sign up direct with them.

I think this is the case, but not certain - if anyone knows better, please feel free to correct me... As I say, I don't have a problem with giving them money - I just don't like the idea that the clipboard doesn't necessarily believe a word of the spiel that they give you.

[Graham C]

I think it's a very worthwhile charity too.

[totalise]

my general mantra with regards to giving to charity is that if they ask me for a donation, they wont be getting one. I don't think that getting accosted in the street is a very good way to operate, it seems rude and invasive.

[bolt pp]

I also got done on the street by Amnesty, a few years ago now. Similarly, I don't begrudge them the money, but I do now make a point of not talking to any more clipboarded salespeople. I believe (not entirely sure where I got this from, but I've got a feeling there was some sort of TV expose about it a while back) that the people who accost you don't necessarily have any actual affiliation with the charity - they tend to work for some sort of agency, which gets hired by the charity to do this work for them. The agency obviously has to get paid, and therefore the charity doesn't actually see any of your money for the first year or whatever (depending presumably on how much you give them). It's therefore actually better for the charity if you just sign up direct with them.

I think this is the case, but not certain - if anyone knows better, please feel free to correct me... As I say, I don't have a problem with giving them money - I just don't like the idea that the clipboard doesn't necessarily believe a word of the spiel that they give you.

I dont feel as if i "got done" and didnt want to give that impression but i understand where you're coming from.

[Moskvich]

Nor me - as I say, don't mind giving them the money and if they hadn't grabbed me I'd never have done it, so I'm sure it's for the best. It's just I'm now a bit cynical about the impassioned speech you get.

[Graham C]

my general mantra with regards to giving to charity is that if they ask me for a donation, they wont be getting one. I don't think that getting accosted in the street is a very good way to operate, it seems rude and invasive.

There's been a few bits on the news about these guys and how they hassle you to sign up.  Some of them are paid on the number of subscriptions they get.  I don't think AI would be one of these though.

[AndrewT]

Moskvich is right - these people aren't volunteers, they get paid. They get an hourly wage and have targets of new signups to hit and yes, if you sign up for a fiver a month the charity doesn't see a great deal of your money the first year.

The key to it, though, is that you sign up via direct debit - a fiver goes out of your account every month and you simply don't miss it. Once you've got a direct debit going to a charity for a fiver a month, it takes a pretty cold-hearted person to actively contact their bank to cancel it. I know I've got a couple set up - I can't even remember which charities they're for, but I know the money will be doing some good somewhere.

I work in an area where, when I go to get my lunch, I have to walk along a high street where there are chuggers every day and you quickly become inured against them. However, they are overall moneymakers for the charites - there's no way I'd have given the charities as much money if I had to actively put my hand in my pocket every month.

[Sark79]

I have a monthly contract with the SSPCA .   I haven't bumped into the gorgeous girl you mention in your post yet though mate 

[Clairebear]

This is one of the most worthwhile charities around. If you had to choose one to support this has to be high up on the list.

 

Amnesty International tackle all sorts of problems worldwide including poverty, child abuse, the arms trade, violence against women and a shed load more. All of which is completely unbiased to any political or personal views of those involved.

They have my upmost respect for all their hard work.

[Claw75]

I've been a member of Amnesty for many years and believe they do a tremendous amount of good work.

I wouldn't, however, sign up to give money to any of the clipboard carriers you see around so often nowadays.  As Moskvich said, most of them have nothing to do with the charity and I would imagine in the most part are students earning an extra few bob.  I've also been subjected to one or two very aggresive clipboard carriers in the past as a result of politely declining to sign up, thus opening up a conversation about how selfish I was for not joining their charity.  On a separate occasion when I explained that I prefer to choose my own charities to donate to, I was challenged to list all the charities I actively supported! 

It's sad, but now I just look straight ahead and completely ignore them

[Claw75]

by the way bolt, if you're not sure whether Amnesty are the right charity for you check out their website - amnesty.org.uk  There's nothing to stop you cancelling your direct debit and sending the money elsewhere if you would rather support something else.

[boldie]

I also got done on the street by Amnesty, a few years ago now. Similarly, I don't begrudge them the money, but I do now make a point of not talking to any more clipboarded salespeople. I believe (not entirely sure where I got this from, but I've got a feeling there was some sort of TV expose about it a while back) that the people who accost you don't necessarily have any actual affiliation with the charity - they tend to work for some sort of agency, which gets hired by the charity to do this work for them. The agency obviously has to get paid, and therefore the charity doesn't actually see any of your money for the first year or whatever (depending presumably on how much you give them). It's therefore actually better for the charity if you just sign up direct with them.

I think this is the case, but not certain - if anyone knows better, please feel free to correct me... As I say, I don't have a problem with giving them money - I just don't like the idea that the clipboard doesn't necessarily believe a word of the spiel that they give you.

wow..it amazes me that an expose was needed for this...afterall agencies recruit for these things regularly.

We have quite a few profesional beggars on the streets of Glasgow these days. They make about 7.50£ an hour (might not be much for some but think about it) and ussually hunt in pakcs of 4 for about 6 hours a day. that costs in wages for them alone 30£ an hour so 180£ a day.
These people might actually believe in what they are doing but they sure as hell ain't doing it for free...and I bet ya it costs the charity more then just the bare wages to get these people out.

Charities say they mainly do it to get their names out andb because once people start giving they ussually don't cancel their direct debit..that's why they can do this...if someone cancels within 3-6 months however they definetly lose out on it.

I personally can't stand the annoying twitching begging little "can i have a minute of your time, Sir" people. they really get my goat trying to inform me of all the bad things that are going on in places they haven't even heard of themselves.

I understand charities need money from people. I therefore decide on a charity each year to add to the one I constantly support, and for a year that charity gets my money. I do not sign up to charities on the street simply because they have people running around like crazed Jehova's witnesses. (no offense to any Jehova's witnesses out there)


BLAH...bad subject for me