I don’t like material differences that exist in the world. I find it unjust when a worthy person can’t reach where he deserves to be just because of lack of good headstart or financial backing. Money is not a very important thing. We, especially here on SP, know what really matters in life to make it fulfilling. And money is not it. So I absolutely don’t like it, and personally feel guilt, when a depressed and suicidal person is pushed over the edge because of financial problems. Their life… Our life is already full of issues. We can’t help each other in many of them – Abusive childhood, relationships, meaninglessness… – but let’s help each other on an issue that shouldn’t be there but still somehow more often than not proves to be the final nail in coffin.
This is what I propose: an SP fund. By SP users. For SP users.
Members who have extra money with which they would like to help a fellow user can contribute to it. Such members, or any member who is willing to contribute, are welcomed to contribute in a fund that we will create. From this fund we will help those SP users who need a temporary or immediate financial support. For example, someone who has got to a situation where he doesn’t have money to eat, or someone who is on the verge of homelessness because he couldn’t pay this month’s rent. Situations like these. The point is no user here should have a fear in his mind about what he would do if he couldn’t pay this month’s rent or other situations like that. More often than not it is the fear that’s more dangerous and debilitating than the event itself. To have a hope, even a small one, that something is out there that will help me if I’m in such a situation, can prove to be a life saver.
I found this website https://www.commonchange.com/ where we can create the fund. We can create a group there and contribute to it. We can invite people to join the group. When a need arises, a request is made, group members discuss it and cast their vote. If more than 75% members approve, the request is approved and funds are released. So it’s not one person’s monopoly over decision and a member can’t do a fraud on his own.
This website has been there for many years so I believe it’s trustful. If someone knows/finds a better one he can tell.
I know there are trust issues. After all who am I? I may be some internet troll or fraud. But I’m not. You can click my username and see that I’ve been a member of SP for four years and have made numerous posts and comments here. I just want to help.
So this is the idea. What do you say? I’m not very good at managing things. So if the idea goes through, I would appreciate if some other veteran member volunteers to take the lead. Besides this CommonChange is primarily a US based site (Although it accepts and sends funds to all countries) and most SP user are also from US, so it will be better if a US based member manage things.
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And what if people took advantage of it?
We will get in touch with the user and each case will be discussed separately. That should reduce the chance of people unfairly taking advantage. Another thing is, it is fund members who will decide from posts on SP whether a person needs financial help, and not vice versa. Not many people would know whether the fund exists.
The subject of money has come up here a few times, mostly by people asking for money. Those posts are usually taken down, and I agree with the reasons why. It’s because a lot of SP users are sensitive and vulnerable, a bad combination. People will give (and have given) money that they can’t afford to give, because they think others need it more. Another downside is, what if someone really wants to help but can’t because they’re poor themselves, then they’ll feel worse. A lot of people here already suffer from feelings of being inadequate and useless, so that’s dangerous territory.
Here’s my suggestion, get to know people personally, try contacting them by email and asking how you can help with their situation, then send funds if you trust it’ll go to good use. Years ago I was broke and freezing to death because I didn’t pay my bills and the oil company cut me off. On a different website, someone messaged me and offered to pay the oil company for me. I didn’t accept, but it was a great feeling that someone made the effort to offer getting involved in my screwed up life, felt like I wasn’t alone.
^ For some reason a paragraph got lost. I began by saying you have a good heart for coming up with this idea, and it’s really nice to see people wanting to help even though we’re all desperate.
It is not an obligation to give. Only those who have extra money to give and want to help should give. It is like giving to charity – you give to it according to your suitability and whenever you have time and money, and not directly to the needy person. So ambiguity and sensitivity that arises when we give directly to a needy person won’t be there.
“Vulnerable” is the operative word in my comment. By making something a group effort, vulnerable and sensitive people will feel the need/pressure to give money. If you keep it individual as I suggested, then it is truly voluntary. If you’ve ever had the painful experience of being in church when the donation plate is passed to you, and you sitting there with $6.04 in your bank account, you know what I mean. I’m just pointing out the reasons why fundraising on SP has been banned by the administrator.
I don’t think you can determine whether someone really needs help based on SP postings. I’ve met my fair share of people who have elaborate stories that they’ve entirely made up to elicit sympathy, kind of like a form of virtual Munchhausen’s. And that’s a case in point. One of the problems you’ll likely run into is how difficult it is for people on forums such as this to trust one another. It’s a binary exchange. Some have no problem trusting anyone at all without giving it a second thought, and that’s helped lead them to where they are, while others refuse to trust anybody, and that’s helped lead them to where they are. And we’re all here on SP together, being weird in our own ways.
Well I guess it sounded like a great idea only in my mind, as I don’t see people agreeing.
I’m not tut-tutting. I’m just sharing my thoughts. I don’t think it’s a bad idea by any stretch, just needs some care and thought if you really want to try it.
No it’s not because of you. It’s just.. I probably just like ideas. I probably don’t want to bother following them through. That’s how it always is.