November 28, 2012

**Please see new "help" OP - link inside **

[font color="brown"](I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified.&quot [/font]





[font size="3"]PLEASE SEE THIS NEW OP of 12/2/12: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021915356

[/font]





Remember, even if you can't help financially, perhaps you have resource suggestions or can share your insights and experiences. We can ALWAYS help by simply acknowledging someone. It takes a lot of courage to "put yourself out there" and ask for help.

If you're not familiar with Wishadoo, please see my journal for previous posts.


[font color="blue"]1. Another long-time DUer is in dire need of your help! (DUer, rbrnmw)

Please read the Wishlist post, and note the PayPal addy provided. The Wishlist tool is like "a craigslist of compassion":

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/138/help-with-rent-or-utilities-for-a-month/[/font]


[font color="red"]As of 7:00 EST Thursday, 11/29/12, $300 has been raised!!! No change as of Friday morning.[/font]
[br]


[font color="blue"]2. A new Wishlist post went up overnight by another long-time DUer (deek). Please read!

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/139/help-for-new-engine-for-disabled-van/
[/font]


(The easiest way to send money without incurring a PayPal fee is to send as a “Personal” payment, making sure to select “Other” as the reason for payment.)


[font color="black"]There are other Wishlist posts, some of which were posted by other DUers (again, please see journal for previous Wishadoo-related OP's here at DU).

You may not be aware of this, but I created Wishadoo! (and specifically the Wishlist tool) to be of service not only for critical needs that fall through the cracks, unable to be addressed by existing services and resources, but to help with wishes, hopes and dreams. To be able to put our dreams "out there" as well. Note the many categories in the left sidebar area of the Wishlist.

One example of this is this Wishlist post by a college student, raising funds for a trip to Thailand to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary over winter break. (It's my daughter. ) It's not a critical need for her; it's not life or death that she be able to go, but dreams are important (she worked all summer to raise funds for the fees; travel costs remain). Wishadoo! was created to be a space to cover the entire spectrum and allow us to connect one-on-one to be of service.

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/106/raising-for-volunteer-trip-to-help-elephants/

Note that this Wishlist post also links to the marketplace at Wishadoo!, which is like "ebay for good." Anyone who resonates with the principles of Compassion, Cooperation, and Community are invited to make use of Wishadoo!'s many tools: Wishlist, Marketplace, Business Directory, and other community tools.


[center] [font size="3"]PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY YOU CAN[/font] [/center]


Again, it is GREATLY appreciated it if you would kindly:


* Recommend this thread and keep it kicked

* Share the Wishlist post with your social networks (or share from here, of course)

* Offer whatever support you can (financial support, information, advice, well wishes, etc.)


Thank you!



[center]* * * * * * *

ABOUT WISHADOO!: Anyone is welcome to use the tools at Wishadoo, so long as the Terms of Service are adhered to (basically "play nice" and don't lie). This includes creating posts in the Wishlist, a "craigslist of compassion." Most of us are struggling with one thing or another, and as you'll see, there are many categories in the Wishlist to cover a variety of issues/needs.

Wishadoo! is a comprehensive portal providing tools, resources and inspiration to connect, help/be helped, and cultivate compassion, cooperation and authentic community in myriad ways, online and in our own "backyards." Wishadoo!'s tools have been designed to integrate and be of service to all sectors of community: individuals, neighborhoods, schools, organizations and businesses.

The Wishlist is where we can ask, offer, give, receive and pay it forward. If you create a Wishlist post, let me know your DU name, and I can start to do weekly or biweekly threads such as this to highlight DUers' needs and offerings.

Any contributions to Wishadoo! goes toward the cost of maintaining the site, NOT toward any Wishlist posts. That takes place one on one, between Wishadoo! members. If you are able to help with costs to keep the site going, we all appreciate your generosity tremendously.

MANY, MANY thanks to those who have already
helped support Wishadoo! in various ways!

To see an infographic which, hopefully, summarizes the existing tools and goals of Wishadoo!, please CLICK HERE (then click again to enlarge).

[/font][/center]

November 15, 2012

YOOHOO!!!! DUers need your help!!!

[font color="brown"](I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified.&quot [/font]





PLEASE NOTE: I created an OP last Sunday evening, to gather the DU community to help members affected by Sandy, but no one has created a Wishlist post thus far relating to the Sandy aftermath. See OP. If anyone creates a Sandy-related Wishlist post, I'll update that OP!


HOWEVER, a long-time DUer, who is fairly quiet on here and has helped with other DUer Wishlist needs previously, needs our help -- actually, her rescue pet needs our help! (DUer, aroach).

Please read the Wishlist post (with an update, given an overnight crisis) at this link. Please note the PayPal email addy provided at the bottom of the listing:

http://www.wishadoo.org/wishlist/136/help-with-spay-operation-for-rescued-pit-bull/


ALSO, there are a few more DUer's with Wishlist posts. Please refer to THIS PREVIOUS POST which outlines the specific DUers and what they need help with.

You can contact these DUers here, or via Wishadoo. Actually, I could use an update from these same DUers; if any of you see this, please contact me!

If you could kindly K&R and keep this kicked for visibility, I'd appreciate it!

November 11, 2012

TO DUer's IN NEED OF OUR HELP POST-SANDY

[font color="brown"](I was previously given permission by Skinner to post periodically about http://www.wishadoo.org, especially when it involves DUers, with this required disclaimer: "The administrators of Democratic Underground have given permission for one discussion thread on this topic. The administrators of Democratic Underground make no claims regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of this fundraising effort. Permission was granted by Skinner on 8/6/2010, and the moderators have been notified.&quot [/font]

I've asked the admins if they'll please make this post a sticky, so it stays visible. Maybe you can chime in to let them know it would help a lot of they'd make this thread a sticky. Here's a LINK TO THE META POST.



MANY DUer's and their loved ones have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. If you are such a DUer, or if you are in touch with a DUer and feel comfortable doing so on their behalf, I invite you to please CREATE A WISHLIST POST at Wishadoo!

If you haven't yet joined Wishadoo!, it's easy; let me know if you have trouble (check spam folder if you don't get the verification email right away; or write me here). Just be sure to indicate you learned about Wishadoo! from DU, and I'll know such Wishlist posts should be shared here. Edit to add: Please select the "crisis" category and put Sandy in the subject line!

As has been done in the past, when a DUer creates a Wishlist post, I then have permission to post here, so the rest of the community can be of assistance.

Once you've created such a Wishlist post, DUers who want to help can contact you via PM here at DU, or via Wishadoo! If you have a PayPal account, monies can be received quickly, especially if a PayPal debit card is being used!

(The most straightforward way to send money without facing a PayPal fee is to send money as a “Personal” payment, making sure to select “Other” as the reason for payment.)

I can keep updating this thread as we go. No Sandy-related Wishlist posts have been created as yet (5:45 PM EST, Sunday 11/11). This is an invitation to do so, since many have been unsure how we can help DUers affected by Sandy.

Special thanks to DonRedwood and Freshwest for encouraging action on this!

I think this is the best way. If you have other suggestions, please let me know!

BTW, here's a link to a pre-election recent thread here at DU, listing several Wishlist posts by DUers. You can follow up with them here or at Wishadoo; I need to follow up with them as well to get a status update.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021592347

November 11, 2012

Want to push back against selfish CEOs? LIST GOOD ALTERNATIVES

(Edited to change thread title since "positive action" doesn't get any response. )

While I'm all for calling out the many unethical and demoralizing businesses which have led the way in this country for far too long, I'd really like to support and promote GOOD BUSINESSES and ethical business practices. A CEO making billions of dollars choosing to lay off thousands of people, or decrease their hours, because said CEO and other execs don't want to part with their riches is NOT ethical.

With all the talk of boycotting various companies, we need alternatives. Dammit to hell, please help me create a list of them!!! (Sorry, but I'm frustrated because I'm tired of begging for help to do simple things...things we say we want and could help many.)

If you agree with this, can you at least K&R this post? Keeping more positive, action-oriented posts alive is like pulling teeth sometimes. (If you are interested in working on this with me, please join me in this discussion thread at Wishadoo)

Many of us often ask where we can find good businesses to support. While there are separate directories for "Made in the USA" businesses, green businesses, union businesses, etc., a comprehensive directory which lists businesses which are quite simply ethical -- not perfect, but ethical -- on all levels doesn't exist.

After my experience with Glenn Beck and his followers several years ago, I decided to fully embrace Compassion, Cooperation, Community and Integrity in business, and shout those values from the rooftops while putting them into action. Now it's time to gather businesses also ready to align with principles of Compassion, Cooperation, Community and Integrity.

[font color="blue"]So, I've created the space and will gladly highlight and promote such businesses, but need help finding them.

It could be an online entrepreneur focused on doing well while doing good (it could even be your Etsy store!); a small Main Street type of business (like the hugging Pizza Guy in FL and the businesses offering free products and services in the aftermath of Sandy); or even larger businesses who are, for the most part -- even if not perfect -- doing business with integrity.[/font]

There are many tools at this directory which are pretty cool, if I say so myself, including the ability to leave reviews, so we can keep them honest and always moving toward doing better. I see it like Angie's List but it's free to use (and free to list), and the foundation is one of integrity.

Below I've copied and pasted a blog post, which I invite you to share to spread the word. Click the graphic below to see the Directory.



"The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another." - Thomas Merton


We're moving into a new era. No longer are selfish, greedy business decisions admired. No longer is "the bottom line," with obscene CEO salaries and profit margins at the expense of workers, communities and our environment viewed as "good business."

Good business practices embrace Community, Compassion, Cooperation and Integrity. Wishadoo! has created a DIRECTORY where such businesses can be found and promoted.

What types of actions or policies do you view as Good Business?

Which companies represent Good Business, in your opinion? (small or large, online or brick and mortar, local or international)

Rather than focus on the high-profile businesses making what many feel are selfish, short-sighted business decisions, let's SUPPORT GOOD BUSINESS.

Please help identify GOOD BUSINESSES, get them listed in the Directory, and help support their efforts!

Wishadoo! will offer regular blog posts to share via social media highlighting GOOD BUSINESSES.



BTW, another post dropped like a lead balloon earlier today. I thought more here would be happy to know that a petition many of you signed was victorious: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021789277

November 11, 2012

PROUD TO BE A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER! :)

You may remember my post from 10 days ago asking you to sign and share a petition for FEMA Reservists (the on-call, first responders for FEMA) to get health benefits: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021669323

Well, 10 days later, interviews with The Washington Post and other outlets, 107,000+ signatures, IT'S BASICALLY A DONE DEAL!!!!!



I'm especially proud of Wishadoo! being described as "a grassroots community organizing website."

This community organizer is now working on a community project to SUPPORT good businesses...businesses of integrity, unlike the others we're seeing and seething about in the last few weeks...and will post a bit later this morning, asking for your help.

Bless our FEMA Reservists and other first responders (including Occupy Sandy!!!), bless those in harm's way from Sandy and other disasters. I've never been more proud to be called a community organizer!!! Lots more work to be done, but thanks to everyone who signed and shared for contributing to this victory!

FORWARD!!!

* * * * *

Part-time emergency employees deployed to assist in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts have won federal health benefits, the Office of Personnel Management announced Friday.

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing an interim final rule, obtained by Government Executive, to expand the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to part-time workers with FEMA, known as reservists. The rule takes effect immediately.

The announcement comes after an online petition requesting the benefits received nearly 100,000 signatures in the 10 days since it was launched.

A May Government Accountability Office report found that reservists, who make up 57 percent of FEMA’s workforce, do not receive any federal health benefits. When many of these reservists -- also known as disaster assistance employees -- were deployed in support of Sandy relief, Dena Patrick decided to take action.

The disaster assistance employees serve two-year appointments and are paid only when deployed.

Patrick -- founder of Wishadoo!, a grass-roots community organizing website -- thought FEMA employees who have been on the front lines in areas devastated by Sandy -- knocking on doors, delivering mobile homes and supervising the disbursement of more than $250 million in grants to those affected by the storm -- had earned their benefits and launched a campaign on their behalf.

http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2012/11/part-time-fema-workers-now-eligible-health-care-benefits/59421/?oref=dropdown