Originally Posted by
thadocta
I am still wondering why we need a whole "FlyerTalk Cares" thing - after all, this is supposed to a site devoted to how to obtain the most from our travels, whether how to maximise the benefits we receive (mileage/status/whatever) or how to maximise our experiences (the general travel forums).
The very idea of "FlyerTalk Approved Charities" does not sit well with me - it seems to be going against the core aim of the site - maximising the benefits/opportunities of travel.
Now, I am not against the idea of assisting charities. I contribute a large amount annually, across a broad spectrum of causes.
But the FlyerTalk community is so diverse that there are bound to be causes which, whilst popular with some, will be repugnant to others, and this will only serve to alienate some members of the FT community, and those members who have been alienated my be highly respected members, often the source of highly worthwhile and beneficial information, members we can't afford to lose. And all for the sake of "endorsing" a few charities? I don't think it is worth it.
Again, the main aim of FlyerTalk is to foster travel, to maximise the benefits and/or experiences of our travel.
IMNSHO, we would be best served leaving the idea of endorsing charities behind us and concentrating on our core aim.
Dave
Completely agree and have asked in the recent past whether FT is wandering too far from its core mission in this and in other ways such as continued non-travel forum creation. The answer that usually comes back, to paraphrase, is that FT has grown into a large community that encompasses enough folks who want to make FT their one stop shop for other many interests including the philanthropic. I'm not fully in agreement with this 'mission creep' but given the clear support for keeping TB Cares from TB and RP it's now more a matter of refining the process for future charitable submissions not whether there should be any at all. And to that extent I would recommend moving to exclude religious charities from future inclusion, though as some have mentioned it's not always easy to see black & white in what can be a very gray world at times and in some cases.
As always, RP, I appreciate the fact you are listening to input on this matter.