• What is that expression? Make hay while the sun is shining? Anyway, many Australian stories which belong to the lives of people and animals have remained submerged for many years until journalists within programs like Four Corners bring them to light. Some of us have been privileged enough (eg through our professions) to carry around these stories for several years and done our best to bring such stories to mainstream attention when it is clear there is some emblematic or systematic pattern emerging of eg suffering here in Australia. These stories and lives are not hard to find. - ro.watson
  • Stirring stuff, sue. Alas, from a bygone era. The www is where it's at. Few outposts are as isolated as they once were and now, with the whizz bang NBN they'll be able to access information from all over the world. The ABC has grown into a monster. The Drum website alone must cost a fortune. Then we've got numerous tv channels, radio, SBS and *hundreds* of journalists and ancillary staff ALL for a population of 22 million? It's a crazy waste of taxpayer dollars. If these journos can't cut it in the private sector, which their ratings indicate they can't, then too bad. Let them get jobs writing blurbs for breakfast cereal and cat food. If you want evidence of ABC bias, check out the poll questions on The Drum. Personally, I want it slashed and burned. And, I repeat, I'm a past Labor member. - Gee
  • I agree Sue. I love ABC Radio National and also ABC tv - from The Night Garden up. Lately I've been tuning in to the drivetime program hosted by Waleed Ali, 7.30 report and Emma on Lateline. All maintain high standards. Cheers, Carmen. - Carmen
  • Gee, the ABC Radio National has played and still does, a vital role in unifying Australians as Australia. It has been the one and only voice since the inception of radio, that has been able to be heard no matter where you are in Australia. It has connected the rural and the urban listeners, it has provided thought provoking programmes on health, science, music, art, literature, technology, religion, opera, language, the list is endless. Most importantly it has provided hundreds of different types of educational programmes over the years. Many of us can remember when the ABC broadcast singing programmes into our primary schools, imagine that, all the state primary students in Australia singing the same songs at the same time. They had a wonderful children's club for all Australians to join. The ABC is the organisation we turn to in times of war and disaster, only it has the gravitas needed. The ABC in later years has provided innovative programmes where farmers give a field of their crop and urban listeners select how that crop will be treated, when to fertilise, pay insurance, feed, water, reap. Again we see the great way the ABC unites the country and allows listeners to understand each other over the rural/urban divide. The ABC consistently has interesting, confronting, innovative interviews with people who make you think. The ABC broadcasts throughout Asia, fostering greater understanding throughout the region. Greater understanding can only lead to better trade, human rights, mutual respect and sharing of common goals. The ABC encourages local talent in all areas, something rarely seen on commercial radio/TV. So tell me where is the bias, what percentage of the programmes have a bias, what sort of bias is it, political or other? Here is an organisation that has united a very young country, a federation of states that have held together and together developed a common social ethos and a pride in our culture. This is no parasite it is in fact the host from which we all feed. - sue Bell
  • Capisco. However, after getting a major (not kidding) allergy which has eventuated in my frequent-flyership at the gynaecologists (best friends now!) - I can (as a total nobody - but a somebody to my gynaecologist) - thoroughly and wholeheartedly endorse LUX SOAP. I wash clothes, dishes, and me with it - and have never looked back. If it makes me look like Ma Kettle - so be it. Bring it on!! (really not joking about this one). Cheers, Carmen 50 Shades of Unemployment at http://50shadesofunemployment.blogspot.com.au - Carmen
  • Oh Mrs. Woog - your before shot is so much better than the after. However lately I've become a closet watcher of that TVSN channel (non stop advertising). I've just seen Dimitri of Hollywood, advertising his "uber quality" product range. If I had the money, due to Dimitri's infectious advertising approach, I would buy every product. But it all went sadly wrong, this morning - during the live model makeover, when he accidently knocked the model's hair-piece - causing it to fall off - no kidding! Hilarious. And there I was with the credit card, about to hand over my money for his product that would give me "Hollywood celebrity bee-stung lips!" On the topic of makoevers, makeunders etc. some readers may find this post a worth read: "The Hazards of Faking It" http://50shadesofunemployment.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/the-hazards-of-faking-it.html Cheers, Carmen - Carmen
  • @Sally. It has everything to do with religion! All the "great monotheistic faiths" i.e. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are the greatest blights ever to afflict mankind. Obviously you have never read the bible that absolutely luxuriates in tales of ethnic cleansing, murder, pillage, slavery, oppression and war-mongering. The Koran is even worse! Obviously you have never studied history or current affairs either. Have you ever heard of the Islamic conquest of North Africa and southern Europe? Have you ever heard of the Crusades? Have you ever heard of the "Dark Ages" when the pope and his henchmen ran Europe and eagerly burned alive heretic, blasphemers, adulterers, apostates, and witches - even "witches" as young as 4 year-old girls? Just remember the biblical edict "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". Have you ever heard of the Thirty Years War? How the oppression and slaughter of the Huguenots? How about the English Civil War and Cromwell's war against the Irish? What about Northern Ireland today? Have you ever heard of the "Lateran Pact" between Mussolini and the Catholic Church? How about Hitler's "Concordat" with the Vatican and the later establishment of the "rat line" that allowed the likes of Eichmann and Menngele to escape to Catholic South America? Have you ever heard of the "Armenian Genocide" where the muslim Turks slaughtered around 2 million Armenian Christians - forced mostly women and children to walk from Turkey to Syria and then left the survivors to die of starvation and thirst in the desert - after pack raping the pretty ones first? What do you think is happening in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon today? What do you think is the cause? Everywhere you look for the last 3,000 years, the one constant in every war, massacre, holocaust and blood bath has been stinking bloody RELIGION! There's no Eastern solution either as the Hindus, Buddhists, and Shinto also have a long history of slaughter and oppression equal to that of the West. There will never be peace or progress in this world until the last Rabbi and Imam are strangled with the guts of the last priest! - Jack Richards
  • Yes Matilda. Muslims do condone paedophilia - unless you think it's appropriate for girls aged 9 to marry? That's the age at which girls can be married off in Iran and other Islamic countries. The Prophet Muhammad married Aisha when she was 5 but waited till she was all grown up at 9 before he consummated the relationship. It is quite common for pre-pubescent girls to be married off in places like Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Mali and Ethiopia and to have the first of their dozen children at 12 or 13. That's why an Australian surgeon has been in Ethiopia for half a century running the only clinic repairing urinary and rectal fistulas in that part of Africa. - Jack Richards
  • Oops, predictive text gone rogue, Klaus. And I'm not a contributor to Akerman's blog. I do read it and the comments, just as I read the Drum website, New Matilda, Quadrant, Reporters without Borders, International Socialist, the UN and CSIRO websites, overseas newspapers and a hundred others. I don't like being told how to think by our lefty media. Try it. - Gee
  • Q. All these headlines related to his budget reply speech in one media outlet: “Abbott's budget reply delivers a perfect political score” “Abbott 'honest, competent' budget reply” “Abbott's budget reply has the sweet smell of success” “Abbott vows to tackle 'budget emergency'” “Abbott: budget all about lost trust” “Opposition targets Swan over debt and deficit” Which one? (a) Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited (b) Fairfax, now controlled by Gina Reinhart (c) The ABC (d) The Institute of Public Affairs A. (c) The ABC. Explain that? - Möbius Ecko
 
13
Categories:  Your Community, Your Stories

7 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A CHARITY

By Thania Rajakaruna
May 29, 2012

With the Australian government shaving $2.9 billion from its former foreign aid targets, now, more than ever, your charity dollar matters.

Fortunately, Australians are already a nation of givers – ranked third in the World Giving Index, we are a generous lot.

However, with all the worthy causes out there competing for our attention, how much time do we spend researching a charity and then, holding it accountable? How can we be sure that our kind-hearted donations are going towards helping the needy and not just staffing administrations or even perpetuating the problem itself?

I’ve compiled some tips for choosing a charity so you can make an informed contribution to really feel good about.

1. Do your research

Before choosing a charity, research, research, research!

If you are giving internationally, getting familiar with the political landscape of the region is a good idea to avoid supporting something unethical. You don’t have to do a thesis – just brush up on the defining features; civil war, economic downturn or natural disasters – all of these can play a key role in how aid is distributed within a nation.

In addition, consider the issue you are interested in and how your target charity tackles it. Ask yourself: Does this organisation help these individuals establish themselves, or does it encourage reliance and perpetuate the cycle of poverty?

2. Make sure your charity is listed

If you are giving domestically, the Philanthropy Australia website is a reputable source of links to recognised charities.

If you are giving to an overseas organisation, you will have to do your own research. Some countries have domestic lists of charities; others are far behind on this.

In these cases look for a well-presented website, preferably one that uses established methods of payment such as PayPal, and listed email addresses that do not bounce when you write to them!

Evidence of donor support from OECD governments is also a positive sign that this charity is recognised internationally.

3. Find your point of contact

Having a contact that can vouch for an organisation can be very helpful.

Finding such a contact may at first seem unlikely, but you might be surprised when you shake the tree just how many of your friends, family or acquaintances have knowledge relating to the cause you favour.

In-country experience or first-hand insight relating to the region you intend to support is invaluable.

4. Think Local

When most people think of the less fortunate, their minds go immediately to those abroad. However destitution and injustice exist right here within our borders too.

According to Homelessness Australia just over 2 million people (or one in 10 Australians), live in poverty today.

So why not look locally for charities that support Australians?

 Page 1 of 2 next >>
support us

13 Responses to this article

  1. Helen May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thank you for Point 7. I cannot afford to give money but spend a lot of time in volunteer work and also give a lot of donations to my local op shops. The local oppies helped us big time with furniture and clothes when we lost everything in the floods. It is as little as I can do in return.

     
  2. Joan May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Australia’s first charity – The Benevolent Society – stacks up brilliantly against these tips – 199 years on still helping the most vulnerable in our community and showcasing outcomes.

     
  3. julie May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Agree with all the above tips – thanks for the list. @Helen – if you can’t afford to give money how about trying to buy the products you need from companies that give back? Our new site – http://www.nomorepastrami.com profiles new ones every week.

     
  4. Caroline May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    My husband and I met whilst we were undertaking volunteer work at a community centre.

    We left after it took eleven months for the centre to pay a $45 medical bill after my (then boyfriend) fell through part of a wooden floor of a staircase that had allegedly been condemned two years’ earlier – no signage, no warning – no information!!

    So now, my household donates some care packages to some deployed ADF personnel. These people give up so much to be where they are, at least my household can do is grab a few extra groceries, and send some to them.

     
  5. blu-k May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Not so sure about the ‘give locally’ advice – I think doing local and international evenly would be best.

    100 bucks would go a lot further in somewhere like Pakistan than it would here, so you’d be doing a lot of good.

     
    • Thania May 30, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Yes, I totally agree that giving internationally is important. The article outlines several points about giving overseas, I just wanted to make the point that there are a lot of struggling orgs in Australia that rely almost solely on donor support and are therefore worth considering as well.

       
  6. Pauline May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    If you are making a sizable donation locally ask for the last audited annual report to get an idea of how the charity is operating. If it is not supplied I would not donate.

     
  7. Di May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Hi, there are two great ways to help you choose an international organisation. Many of us are signatories to the ACFID Code of Conduct . You can Google ACFID. And even fewer of us have gone through a rigorous process being accredited by AusAid. We follow best practices in delivering development overseas. We report on impact You can find out exactly where your money is going and if you have any questions we answer them. We are required to also provide you with audited financial statements on our website. So it is
    really easy to do the research. While there is great need for charity here….why not include giving overseas. Have you ever tried living on less than $2 a day with no government support?

     
  8. ROYCE May 29, 2012 Reply
     
     

    The first question I ask is “Should our taxes be paying for this??’

    Hospitals etc…. just silly.

    Meanwhile Salvos, Red Cross etc do things that professionals, and government bodies can’t quite manage.

     
  9. Floodvolunteer May 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I started Volunteering during the flooding 2011 to do my bit for my community, with the intention of doing a few days of cleaning up. During this time I found an Organisation called
    Givit that was run solely by volunteers were 100% of the donations get directly to the communities and charities that they support. I was so impressed with GIVIT that I stayed on as a Community Volunteer and have for the last 16 months still doing Community Recovery. http://www.givit.org.au

     
  10. Helen May 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I think this is a great article and very informative. It gives very clear guidelines on what to take in to consideration when deciding to give to a charity. As a strong suporter of well know charities such as:World Vision and The Cancer Counsil, it is very good to get information about what to check for in choosing a lesser known charity.

     
  11. Silky May 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    That’s a really good point about doing your research first. The thing is its difficult to know for sure that the money you spend does go entirely towards the cause you intend to support and not just into the pockets of staff. How do we hold these charities accountable? What measures do we have in place to do so? Great article :-)

     
  12. Louise May 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    For those charities doing work with the world’s poor (e.g. Oxfam, CARE Australia), I’d suggest checking that they are signatories to the ACFID (Australian Council for International Development) code of conduct.
    Giving One Percent is a website which profiles all ACFID signatories for free on its Charity Chooser. There you can explore themes of work, assess the annual reports, search by country to find a charity and more to find one which matches your interests: http://www.givingonepercent.org.au

     

Have Your Say

Get e-mail notifications for new comments

 

You may also like

Left Right

porno porno sex

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

Talking About Dementia
Get Started!

Your Score:  

Your Ranking:  

Hoopla Poll

If you are menopausal - what is your menopause treatment approach?

Comments

  • ro.watson: What is that expression? Make hay while the sun is shining? Anyway, many Australian stories which belong to the liv...

    Reply|Read all

  • Gee: Stirring stuff, sue. Alas, from a bygone era. The www is where it's at. Few outposts are as isolated as they once were...

    Reply|Read all

  • Carmen: I agree Sue. I love ABC Radio National and also ABC tv - from The Night Garden up. Lately I've been tuning in to the dr...

    Reply|Read all

  • sue Bell: Gee, the ABC Radio National has played and still does, a vital role in unifying Australians as Australia. It has been th...

    Reply|Read all

Freebies

Copyright © 2012 The Hoopla

All Rights Reserved

Site by Feel.
loading time: 0.71 sec