Celebrity Philanthropy

Justin McKeating, the purveyor of Chicken Yoghurt, writes with pithy disdain for the celebrity rockstars who have signed on to participate in the upcoming Live 8 Concert. He points out that multi-millionaires like Elton John and Paul McCartney could accomplish more for the cause by staying home and sending cash.

Justin, you are exactly right. But celebrities involved in fundraising campaigns are never told the truth by their recruiters. Instead, they are told, and readily come to believe, that their involvment on any level has such great value to the organization, cause or project that they needn't make an actual financial contribution. And, frequently in addition to "their great big back-slap" for their "uncompensated" participation, celebrity philanthropists receive lavish expense reinmbursements and other in-kind payments artfully negotiated by their agents.

For a delicious serving of Chicken Yoghurt go to
http://chickyog.blogspot.com/2005/06/live-8-point-being-what-exactly.html

Wrist Banned? Risk Banned?

Oscar Wildebeest who blogs intelligently and prolifically from the UK derides the self congratulatory element inherent in wearing promotional trinkets ("wristband/ribbon/badge/white poppy") to demonstrate one's partcipation in fundraising campaigns.

Here's my take: Wrist band campaigns are troublesome but not simply because they permit participants to demonstrate smugness. They are troublesome because they encourage and even teach powerless philanthropy. Self-congratulation, when justified, can be a good thing, but very little congratulation is due for purchasing or wearing a rubber bracelet even in heartfelt support of a worthy cause.

Yeah, I'd go for a Wrist Ban.

You can read OW's Gnus of the World at http://gnusoftheworld.blogspot.com/