On Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 3:44 PM, Lodewijk lodewijk@effeietsanders.org wrote:
Hi Jimmy,
There are several side effects to the idea of not allowing chapters at all to fundraise (I note that boardmembers and staff members have a different take on this, so I'll keep it general - keeping in mind there are many other aspects to be considered, such as transparancy. However, imho fundraising through chapters should remain the best way).
Lodewijk,
I don't think the chapters are barred from all fundraising... At most, they are at risk of not being able to participate in the global WMF fundraiser. They can still raise funds on their own through other methods. Maybe such other methods are more time consuming, difficult and less lucrative... But there are innovative substitutes for the WMF annual fundraiser, I'm sure.
In any case, the barriers to participation relate to the organizational capacity of the chapters and the associated risks. A chapter that has financial controls and active leadership should be able to meet the WMFs requirements (with the exception of tax deduction eligibility, based on jurisdiction); a chapter that does not puts both their funds and their public reputation at risk. As the host of the fundraiser and the mark owner, the WMF shares in that risk - and it is both reasonable and necessary that the Foundation adhere to and require minimum standards of accountability in order to mitigate the risk of fraud, waste and abuse.
If it were only the chapters themselves at stake (as is the case when they raise funds independently), then they could get money first and organization second. But the WMF shares in the risk, and is offering organizational support to chapters, so cart before horse does not make sense.
Nathan