PHILANTHROPY 2173
Nothing says philanthropy in 2010 like "The Giving Pledge."Well, except maybe the depressing reality that more Americans than ever before say they can't give to charity this year, or that most of us will be doing our best to give the same amount we gave last year, and many of us have no choice but to give less.
In honor of the new Voluntary Sector network on The Guardian UK - here's a bonus imported Philanthropy Buzzword 2010.7a - Chugging.
Chugging is a British portmanteau of Charity and Mugging. It refers to the tag-team clipboard-wielding signers-for-hire fundraisers who've staked out almost every city block these days. "Have a minute to save the whales?" "Give a minute to save the children?" "Take a minute for human rights?" "Got a minute for gay marriage?" They call out as you feel guiltier and guiltier about your walk to lunch. If you do stop they'll take far more than a minute - they'll keep talking to you until you surrender your name, address, and a donation. If you give them the first two, you will be bombarded with requests for the third.
A 2009 survey in Britain showed that 2/3 of people crossed the street to avoid these folks and 1/4 lied to them about having "given already."
In California, a state where ballot initiatives have replaced and run over representative democracy, you might avoid a chugger only to be stopped by another clipboard. This one is also wielded by someone getting paid by the signature - asking you to "balance the state budget-throw the bums out-fix Sacramento-sell bonds for the high speed rail/new prisons/ school and hospital facilities while approving pay raises for elected officials." And, of course, when you get to the deli to buy your lunch, you'll be asked to "round up" your check for charity.
Ho Ho Ho.
Tags: philanthropy, buzzwords, buzzword2010
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