Why I Can't Promote the Hwc Products

[grgann]

So I strongly considered just not replying to this thread because there are so many things about it that bother me, but let's face it, that is just not my style...

I am actually an employee of ACS, a proud one. I am also very proud of the partnership between PC and ACS, I think it is a great way to get the word out about cancer research while earning dollars to help in the fight.

I am also a christian, who is pro-life, but I would never pull my support from an organization that does such amazing and ground-breaking work because the support PP. I can tell you that on top of many other things in my life I am a foster parent, and PP has been an amazing resource for the kids in my home. Many of us sit in a place of privilege and don't think about the under-represented populations that recieve much needed services from PP. Yes, they do abortions, and they do screenings, and they educate, and they provide free birth control, smoking sessation programs and I could go on and on for a long time here....
Basically I don't like hearing that folks don't support a PC initiative, because it makes me sad that you would stand so against something in a company that you work for. That being said I also don't like that you are not supporting ACS, because amazing work is being done. Read the statistics... your money going to other cancer initiatives is not nearly as effective as the work of ACS. We have the history, the research and the world wide support to make things happen. And as for the person who said we are a business were a lot of people get paid a lot of money, wake up, that is life. You are not doing your work for free, no one is. Don't get on a soapbox about ACS because their staff get paid. Also if you have done your research you will see that we are a volunteer driven organziation, with an extremely high volunteer to staff ratio. You simply won't find that elsewhere... I challenge you to look.
I agree we can all have our opinions, but I encourage you to be educated in your opinions, and keep in mind the privilege you walk with through the world.
Claire

 

[BethCooks4U]

Thanks for the insight Claire. We so often look at one aspect of things and judge by that. I'm thinking planned parenthood should come up with a campaign to educate us on all the things it does so we see the good too. I am against abortion under ALL circumstances unless both mom and baby will die before baby is viable so I am one who wants nothing to do with PP.

My problem is in the new found knowledge (at least it's news to me) that charities give to other charities. If I give to ACS I expect ACS to use my money NOT give it to someone else.

 

[grgann]

Well be clear about what you mean by "give it to someone else". We partner for various programs that support cancer research/early detection/reduction. Much of the work that PP does helps women find out early if they have or are at risk of having cancer, and many of these women don't have regular doctors. Also smoking sessation is a huge push and PP gets info out to a part of the community that ACS does not have the same access to. You can rest assured that money is not going to another organzation (like PP) that is not specifically slated for something that supports the mission of ACS. And yes, this sometimes does include staff salaries doing that work, but humans have to be paid to get the work done.
Lastly (or for now at least) I don't agree with the person who said they do non-profit budgeting and it all ultimately goes in the same pot. I have worked with many non-profits over the years and monies slated for specific purposes have to go to those purposes... it is actually illegal not to do that and an organization is risking is 501c3 status to not budget appropriately.
Thanks!
Claire

 

[BethCooks4U]

Well be clear about what you mean by "give it to someone else". We partner for various programs that support cancer research/early detection/reduction. Much of the work that PP does helps women find out early if they have or are at risk of having cancer, and many of these women don't have regular doctors. Also smoking sessation is a huge push and PP gets info out to a part of the community that ACS does not have the same access to. You can rest assured that money is not going to another organzation (like PP) that is not specifically slated for something that supports the mission of ACS. And yes, this sometimes does include staff salaries doing that work, but humans have to be paid to get the work done.
Lastly (or for now at least) I don't agree with the person who said they do non-profit budgeting and it all ultimately goes in the same pot. I have worked with many non-profits over the years and monies slated for specific purposes have to go to those purposes... it is actually illegal not to do that and an organization is risking is 501c3 status to not budget appropriately.
Thanks!
Claire

When I donate to ACS I expect it to be used by ACS. Yes, I know salaries are involved. I don't expect my donations to ACS to be used to support other charities. If I want to give to those I will decide that.

I am the one that made the second statement I bolded. I am aware that they must use my money where I designate but all that does is shift other money.

EG: I donate and specify the area of the charity that I want my money to be spent and Mary donates but doesn't specify what she wants done with her donation so it goes in the general pot. All areas of the charity get a budgeted percentage of the total pot. So mine goes toward what I want and more of Mary's goes to what I don't agree to fund because all areas get their % somehow. I don't believe that my area get's extra funds just because I designated it.

 

[pamperedlinda]

grgann - which ACS office do you work in? I do the annual HWC fundraiser at the Atlanta office, well, the past 2 years a consutlant on my team who also works for ACS has done it, but I'll be back there later this month.

 

[Shawnna]

I am sure PP does a lot of good things, but just because an organization does a lot of good things doesn't mean they don't/won't do things I don't agree with. I have to look at the organization as a whole and decide if I want to support them. I do not believe in abortion for any reason. However, this is not the place for that...if you want to discuss it, pm me and we can talk about it. That being said, I don't condemn anyone who has an abortion...they have to make that decision for themselves.

Research and make an informed decision on whether you want to support any organization.

As far as I know, your local state/county funded health clinic provides the same services that PP does...except for abortion. When I was first married and had no funds for doctors or insurance, I recieved paps, birth control and pregnancy tests from the health clinic...all free. Later my kids received WIC, baby wellness visits and immunizations...all free. The health clinic provides mammograms and eye screenings...as well as other important screenings...all free. And I think they even have smoking sessation programs as well...free. In Oklahoma there is a health clinic in every county.

 

[pampered1224]

Somewhere along the line, I remember a list of FAQs that answered the question about where does my donation go. Pampered Chef has enough clout to actually dictate how the money is used. I do not remember anywhere in that list saying it will be dumped in the pot. We have in the past, had enough of a voice and enough clout to make Warren change his stance so... Why is it so hard to believe the answers given on the FAQ sheet? I do not remember seeing "providing abortions..." on that list. Besides, if Doris ever felt that the money was being used for that, she would have pulled the plug on it. YOU ALL KNOW THAT TOO! So why are we even discussing this?

 

[grgann]

I am in the Northeast.
I was also just reading the other thread about HWC controversy, and ironically it seems to be focusing on people who won't buy products if they think it goes to SGK because of the controvery of them PULLING their funds from PP? Pretty much this just highlights that all kinds of people with all kinds of believe buy and sell PC... so if one party refuses to purchase, another will buy lots. I for one and offering to all of my customers.
On another note I don't really like the products this year... the cake tester is always a win, so I can't complain, but the other things I fear are not going to sell well.
Claire

 

[chefsteph07]

I really wish PC would put their pink products in the catalog and promote them year round...that being said, if that did ever happen, would those of you who "don't promote" the products simply X out the items? Stop selling PC because of it?

I know that everyone's personal beliefs are one thing, and I do respect that, but PC has been about HELPING people...I agree w/ the post from earlier that said there was never anything stated about "WE GIVE MONEY TO ABORTIONS". Does that trump all the other good that ACS or PP does?

And I think it's really doing a disservice to those guests who may WANT to buy these items and help. If you are truly wanting to "not promote" the items, then I'd say just go inactive for the entire month of May...and truly "take a stand".

 

[Shawnna]

I won't "not sell" the products. If someone wants them that is their decision. I did order them myself so I can see the quality. If they were in the catalog I wouldn't discourage people from buying them. We have other products that I don't personally promote...I don't drink, but I have had customers order those products.

In the past I have actively promoted the HWC products because of the good things it provides...now that I know that money can go to PP I won't actively pursue orders. They are there if my customers want them and if they ask about them I will tell them the money is for ACS. I won't try to persuade them not to buy them.

As I stated previously, I am sure every company we purchase from does things we wouldn't agree with...we just haven't dug deep enough to find out. If we boycotted them all we would be naked and hungry. We have to pick and choose for ourselves. I don't go to the liquor store but WalMart sells beer and wine, and I still shop there...and even go down that isle to get my water.