Should Solicitations for $$ be allowed on Message Boards?

Posted: 4/9/06 at 5:46pm

I see a trend with a couple of current threads that are soliciting posters to "sponsor" the originator of the thread with cash donations for whatever casuse is being undertaken.

Is that permissable? Should it be?

I say "no." Message boards should be a haven from pleas for donations (other than to run the message board itself, or if someone posts a link in their signature to the "cause du jour").

What do you think?


p.s. There was offence taken to my choice of words, "cause du jour," and for that I have already apologized. Rather than changing history, as some folks are prone to do, I have let my original post intact. However, please know that I would now use "cause of the heart" as it was not my intent to offend.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 05:46 PM

Posted: 4/9/06 at 5:47pm

Considering BWW has had an AIDS walk team multiple times, I cant imagine anyone being upset by members supporting good causes. And my asks always offer the suggestion of walking with me instead of sponsoring me.
Updated On: 4/9/06 at 05:47 PM

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 5:50pm

Besides it's not like your talking live with the person. They won't know if you looked at their thread and decided not to donate.

Plus if you don't like it, then just skip the thread. The titles usually make it obvious if they want money or not.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:03pm

first time I've ever said this, BUT SHUT UP JOSE. Being HIV+ I thank God there are people who still care enough to walk, run...whatever.

Jose if you do NOT want to donate, DON'T....but do NOT wreck it for those of us that do, and effectively put the people who act down.....

your post truly offended me Jose......no one forces ANYONE to donate.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:06pm

MORE RANTING.....

"cause du jour"???


how assinine to call womens cancer, AIDS, or childrens diseases the "cause du jour".......assinine, rude, and insulting

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:08pm

Anyone else getting tired of Jose's remarks? I haven't been on these boards too long but quite a few of his posts that I've read has been very negative and usually rude. And he was a moderater before?
Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:08 PM

[Patronus]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:13pm

I don't have any problem with the Solicitations providing that they are from members who we are actually familiar with. I'd be somewhat annoyed if these were newbies who just signed up to ask for money.

However, the people that you mention are long standing, contributing members of our community. At the end of the day, this is a community and I don't have any problem whatsoever having members of the community ask for help as they try and raise money for a good cause.

Unless it becomes 150 different threads from different people asking for money, I don't view it as a problem. We can just choose not to read them if we want.

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:14pm

Elphaba, I asked whether there should threads soliciting $$ for someone's cause, whatever that cause might be. Everyone has a cause. Since you don't know what I may have done or not done to support causes I support, I believe your response is based on a lack of knowledge and a bit excessive, but you're entitled just as I'm entitled to post my question.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:15pm

It's not like these people are asking for money to pay their rent or go out to dinner, José. I see nothing wrong with it done for the purpose of supporting some very worthy causes -- gets the word out, gets more people involved, etc. It's also not as though random new members are popping up asking for money -- these are people among friends. I really don't see what the problem is other than that the "clutter" is an annoyance to you. But really, if we eliminated everything that bugs you, just because it bugs José, well, we'd be kind of barren.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:15 PM

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:18pm

Elphaba- Jose, Im sure meant "cause of choice" and not what he actually said which could be construed as belittling the causes. I would be real disappointed if he intended to say my interest in an organization that could some day find a cure for my disability was a fleeting interest.
Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:18 PM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:21pm

the difference Jose is that I would never make a post questioning the practice....I would just not read the posts, as I do with so many anyway........your post insulted 3 members who are contributing........
and remember you also posted "cause du Jour".....again insulting and not necessary......
Your post was not about what you, or I for that matter have done for the various causes we believe in, which has nothing to do with it.

You could easily have said what you wanted to in a more appropriate way....you chose not to.

Just, I will not knock Jose normally, I've personally never had a problem with him, and in his days as a moderator always found him willing to listen........just this set me off.

Let me put it in better perspective....I ignore the 1463.5 Wicked posts.....do I post (now) and ask if it really is is a good thing to have them? No, rather I just don't read them......why insult those who like reading them.

One thing my mother taught all of her children, there are ways to say things to say things, and ways not to...I just feel this was an example of a way not to.

ok off soapbox.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:21 PM

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:21pm

Thank you, Patronus and Emce, you both illustrated my point which is that one solicitation begets another, and because there is a always a cause these types of threads will continue to increase. Who is to say whose cause is more valid than someone else's. If one is posted they should all be posted. So, yes I see them proliferating from anyone, not just the people you know.

It won't be belong before someone asks for $$ to help make their rent. Actually, that's been done before.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:23pm

Wow. Somehow, though I dislike it, I'm far from surprised that you twisted my argument *against* you to make it "prove your point." How typically pompous and manipulative.

I recognize that it can become a problem, but as of now, it's not. And what's the point of causing a big deal out of something that right now, is pretty innocuous? If it becomes a problem, then deal with it. Truthfully, this just comes off as you stirring up trouble because you can.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:23 PM

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:25pm

The intent of my post was certainly not to offend anyone or the cause of their heart. My apologies.

[liotte]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:26pm

Anyone else getting tired of Jose's remarks? I haven't been on these boards too long but quite a few of his posts that I've read has been very negative and usually rude.

YES

[Patronus]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:27pm

Jose, that is a very skilled twisting of my words to make your point. Nice work.

I agree that it could lead to a problem, but by the same token it may be th eonly two posts of this nature for the next 6 months.

I don't see any reason to change any sort of policy until it becomes a problem. I realize we had 2 of these types of posts recently, but in general this isn't some sort of soliciting pandemic that dictates we need to reevaluate what is allowed and isn't allowed.

In regards to one solicitation begetting another...if we have "non-regulars" come on and ask for money on the day they created their account that is cut and dry spam in my opinion and should be removed.

However, when people like Erika and Mistress who spend hours of their time contributing to great discussion on this site I don't view it as major infracting.

Zero tolerance rarely works in civilized society. I say handle it on a case by case basis.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:27 PM

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:28pm

Jose, I dont think you have much to worry about, there are only about 4 major nyc run/walks, they all happen in the next 2 months and then i would expect all related topics to disappear for quite some time.

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:31pm

Emcee, wow! You give me too much credit when you believe that I conciously analyzed your comments and twisted it to prove my point. Also, if you're not clear, understand one thing--I have no more power to stir up trouble than anyone else who creates a thread/post.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:32pm

You really thought I was siding with you? I didn't think I was that unclear.

Anyone can stir up trouble, yes sir. But you happen to look like you enjoy it.

Condescension not appreciated.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:32 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:36pm

Should whiny threads by Jose' be allowed on message boards?

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:40pm

"Should whiny threads by Jose' be allowed on message boards?"

No, everytime I see a thread made by him I know it will be him complaining about something stupid that no one else agrees with him on.

[Patronus]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:42pm

Since this is turning into a bit of a Jose bashing thread I feel compelled to say that I've never had any problem with Jose and have often agreed with and he's been very friendly with me anytime I've contacted him about anything.

I just disagree with him on this specific issue.


Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:42 PM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:42pm

BroadwayWorld.Com is featuring the following story today: Cerveris Requests Help in Raising Funds to Fight MS.

If people in the theatre can use their celebrity to help raise money for a cause, why can't board members? It seems that BWW.com's policy is pretty clear.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:42pm

Very close to the top of the BWW newsbox, which is the first thing we see when we click on the message board, is an article about Michael Cerveris asking for money. Should that be banned from the newsbox because we technically see it when we click on the message board?

ETA: ahh, Miss Pennywise beat me to it!

Oh well, great minds think alike

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 06:42 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 6:50pm

Penny made my statement for me. If Mr. Cerveris can solicit through Broadwayworld, when he's not a member of the BWW community (as far as we know), why can't people solicit from people they interact with here on a daily basis?

I can't imagine anyone will feel any undue pressure to donate from these threads.