Hey Charities: We need Transparency, Accountability & Conversions

Since 2004, there's been a non-profit called The Watering Seeds Organization. Like many 501(c)(3) nonprofits there can be a need for leadership and direction. And so I received an appointment on 22 January 2009 as follows:

The mission: To help casualty victims (physically challenged) soldiers who suffer from postwar trauma. Conceptually this is a sound goal and they even got recognition from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger but fundraising has been below average.

I was puzzled when I heard this.

Often times soldiers (who are also people) are called to action without full knowledge of the details: 'whether the war was necessary'. No one wins after a war. Caring for the casualities from war will be needed until we all agree to have world peace. These injuries are very real and beyond your standard medical care due to the life long needs of the physically challenged. Sometimes the victims life can be one of destitution, pain and agony.

While I am honored to be an advisor, under the advice of my attorney, all past activities would be signed under a  HOLD HARMLESS CLAUSE. Going forward, the organization needed to move in a direction of growth with integrity and with transparency. Giving is a two way street and I look forward to lead the organization to better days. My letter states my feelings on a few things with the founder and I hope readers can also add their inputs. The best way to evolve an organization is to open source it! =D

I am very critical of nonprofits because unless I feel they are up to par, I won't ask someone else to donate to the cause. Given today's financial turmoils, there is just an unfortunate level of spending.

A certain amount of cleansing will need to take place. The following events were all based on charity but the amount raised were not proportional to the resources used. From now on, this kind of low conversion will not be happening (not under my watch). The pictures below are various events with high profiled names (so work was done) but even lower profiled returns (poor results).

Never forget: The purpose is to raise monies for those in need.  

Now that the parties/events are over, the founder who has gotten a little older and wiser realizes that change and cleansing needs to happen.

Anyone reading this please send your suggestions and advice to: dr.chiu@wateringseeds.org or include them as comments below.

Charity Event with Steven Seagal:

Charity Event with John Travolta:

Charity Event with April Scott:

Charity Event with Deal or No Deal Models:

Charity Event with Jason Alexander: