I’ve received the following invitation:
Mr. L. Jacques Ménard, O.C., Leaders’ Circle President
is pleased to invite you to a cocktail in honour of your contribution to the success of Centraide of Greater Montreal’s Campaign 2009 and in recognition of your title of Leaders’ Circle Partner.
This event will also be an opportunity for you to meet with volunteers responsible for allocating funds to agencies.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
BMO Financial Group, Bank of Montreal
___ St-Jacques Street, Montreal
And here’s the best part:
Invitation valid for two people.
Let me know if you want to be my date. If you’re interested in how charity works, as a donor or most especially as a recipient or interested bystander, this is an opportunity to watch the benevolent wealthy schmooze and to talk to the people who take their money. It’s also an opportunity to drink free wine. Both donors and volunteers will be dressed like donors (i.e. like rich people) and last time I went there were also representatives of agencies who were dressed like funding recipients (i.e. like grad students).
I’m not rich, but I donate because I’m not an artist or a parent or activist or even a particularly good friend — any of the many ways that people normally contribute to their communities. I try to go to as many Centraide events as I can because I’m curious about this whole charity/philanthropy thing that I participate in while philosophically objecting to.
If you’re curious too, please come with!
I like going to these because it’s an opportunity to meet other donors (presumably like me). It’s a chance to connect with other people who share my values and interests and I don’t have many other opportunities to do that. In the case of one charity I won’t name, get togethers give donors the chance to fill in the blanks, to see how the charity is serving community needs and where gaps remain that could be filled with a bit of effort. I can’t speak for others who attend but it is difficult for me to fit in and find ways I can contribute to my community with skills and time. Speaking one on one with others provides opportunities if I choose to take them. It’s very inspiring to hear what others are doing and I want to be a part of that, making it happen.
Philosophically, if the wealthy do it just to be benevolent, I will take all comers. I don’t care why they do it, just that they do. Their money feeds, supports and shelters the disadvantaged just as readily as mine.
And I’d be your date any day if we can hold hands. Smoochies!
Comment by Kathleen — Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 @ 10:35
I object vehemently to the “not a particularly good friend” nonsense. You’ve been wonderful to me & mine.
Ina xoxoxoxoxo
Comment by ina — Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 @ 13:23
Ce serait chouette de t’accompagner Alison. Je suis totalement ignorant du fonctionnement de Centraide. Par contre, j’ai vaguement l’impression que ton cocktail, c’est pas mal une rencontre d’anglophones. Est-ce que je me trompe ? J’ai beaucoup régresser depuis que tu as cessé de travailler ici ; je m’exprime dans la langue seconde vraiment très mal.
Je suis, par ailleurs, de l’avis de la dame ci-dessus : tu es une bonne amie Alison. Je te dois beaucoup.
Dis, ton gros Hollandais d’amour, lui, il veut pas t’accompagner ?
Comment by Luc — Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 @ 15:30
As someone who has professionally begged for money and has received money I can safely say that for no rational reason I hate such events. They make me want to scream and cry and pull the rings off rich people’s fingers and run out of the room carrying their very expensive purses. Wait, that sounds like fun! We could at least eat lots of cheese and crackers and drink liters of wine! Yay! And I know for a fact that you are ALWAYS good company and an even better friend…
Katinka
Comment by Katinka Neuhof — Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 @ 15:30
Je suis pas gros!
Comment by Hollandais d’amour — Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 @ 18:00
Note to laggards: this invitation is still open! Kathleen, Ina and Katinka are in the US and won’t be able to make it; Luc is still waiting for a piece of equipment to be able to get around in his chair.
Comment by alison — Monday, March 22nd, 2010 @ 06:16