Scholarship/Financial Aid Idea

[Girl 6]

I'd like some serious consideration given to setting up a fund to help people with the registration cost and other incidentals for next year's conference.

A number of people would not have been able to make it to this year's conference save for the fact that we came together as a community and were generous with anonymous donations, sharing of hotels rooms, sharing of rides, etc...

That made ALL the difference to some individuals on this forum. And, so, if we are really serious about making critical thinking and skepticism go mainstream in the long run, we need to make a conference like this somewhat accessible to more people.

I'm throwing this out as an idea that can actually have some tangible benefits. It's also doable since we have plenty of time until next year to raise the money.

Also, I want to thank every one of you that did help, whether it was financial or whether it was the sharing of hotel rooms or rides, etc... You helped to bring your fellow forum members to the conference. It was very moving to witness such willingness on the part of forum members to help other people make it to the conference. It was very inspiring and it was among one of the things that made TAM really special to me.

If we get creative about this, we can get more people to go to next year's conference! This is an achievable goal. We can make it happen!

G6

[SkepticScott]

Will the recipients be required to bring gifts from Rio for their sponsors? :) (Seriously though, thank you Luciana!)

[kittynh]

hey, I'm all for it!
Any ideas?
I am all for putting together and selling a skeptic cookbook (another topic for some reason ended up with a lot of great recipes....)
anyway, could we set up a formal account where people could donate or what?
keep me posted.

[arcticpenguin]

Seelie maintains some recipe pages at the House of Souls.

[phiend]

I think this kind of fits into the Lessons learned from AM#1 thread. Cost is a major factor, but also one of the factors that can be toyed with. One thing would be to set up some sort of donation fund where all proceeds went to reducing the overall cost of the meeting. Another would be “payment plans” start paying now 20 bucks a month and get your ticket. Also location helps, the area was just expensive. If you have the meeting in an area with a few cheaper hotels within a short distance, i.e. walking distance, as well as cheap restaurants nearby, then you cut down the total cost of attending. One other thing, and something that I see at a lot of Computer Conferences, is depending on what you plan on going to you can pay different amounts. If the meeting is split up into well defined parts, like “Main speakers Day 1, and Day 2”, “Break out sessions weekend”, “Discussion sessions Thursday-Friday.” Then you can have packages. All events X dollars, Friday-Saturday with only main speakers less then X. Single day only, and so on and so forth.
Ok, I got a little off topic there, but if you were to setup a “scholarship” I would very much recommend setting a very strict set of guidelines as to who receives it. I hate to bring this into it, but all it takes is one person who is just cheap, and litigious who can ruin a good cause. The guy who says well if he doesn’t have to pay full price then I shouldn’t either. I think instead it should be something on a more personal note, maybe a way for someone to anonymously ask for help and a way for people to help him. Although the anonymity would only be to the people helping and not to the foundation, you still have the problem of deciding who really deserves it.

[arcticpenguin]

You make it sound so complicated. I think it would be eaiser if everyone just sent money to me.

[kittynh]

Arctic, your penguin is having a personality disorder and thinks he is a bat!
Maybe it would be nice if someone says "I know someone that really needs help to come (or someones)." and we could throw something in the kitty.
I know my daughter wants to come next year, but hey, even though she's a student she can just plan ahead and save up...
but, I know there are people I trust like Girl6, and if she wanted to collect donations for a worthy person, I'd trust her. Certainly wouldn't be tax deductable, but I'd like a fund where if you could only contribute $10, it would be added to a lot of other $10 and could really help someone.

[Colloden]

How would you determine who was eligible for this help ?
Length of ‘service’ to the board ? Random ?

[kittynh]

well, I thin it would have to be something very very formal with lots of rules and someone who understood them running it, or just informal with someone we trust telling us of a need.
We know pretty much who is trustworthy...well I hope....
and just a note, Girl6, I want your blazer...the one you wore to the meeting....I mean I'm lusting over that blazer...(you know what I mean by that, usually that just happens with me with shoes- the men will totally not get this, but women do). where did you get it?????

[Colloden]

Originally posted by kittynh (snip)
and just a note, Girl6, I want your blazer...the one you wore to the meeting....I mean I'm lusting over that blazer...(you know what I mean by that, usually that just happens with me with shoes- the men will totally not get this, but women do). where did you get it?????

Is blazer some secret word for something else ? If so it casts a whole new light on this request.

Dont spare the details, Girl6. :eek:

[arcticpenguin]

Originally posted by Colloden
How would you determine who was eligible for this help ?
Length of ‘service’ to the board ? Random ?
Number of X chromosomes and marital status.

A "blazer" is a vest or a jacket or some such article of clothing.

[phiend]

I think that if there is going to be help for individual people, then it has to be done by people not affiliated with JREF, and not a formal thing. It has to be more “friend/friends helping a friend” then “group helps those in need”. Because even though the later sounds better it is covered by a much stricter legal standard.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Colloden


Is blazer some secret word for something else ? If so it casts a whole new light on this request.

Dont spare the details, Girl6. :eek:

Oh yeah... That blazer causes a ruckus wherever I go with it! :D It IS cool. It's one of my favorite pieces. Unfortunately, it's not available. I got it at a small boutique that carries merchandise from local designers.

For Colloden... A blazer is a jacket. In this case, my jacket is a bit unusual. It has a netting of flounces in the back and is fitted like a riding jacket. It's very Victorian looking from the back.

Anyway, I think that Colloden needs a picture. I'll try to see if I can rustle one up for him. :D

G6

[Girl 6]

Thanks for all of the input regarding this idea. All of you bring up some interesting aspects as to how to evaluate the candidates.

Admittedly, this time around, it was an ad hoc thing. But, it really did seem to make a difference to the people that wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise.

G6

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
Will the recipients be required to bring gifts from Rio for their sponsors? :) (Seriously though, thank you Luciana!)

No, they should not (said as I place my beverage on my gift from her instead of the ratty beer and ash stained mouse pad I had been using). Their presence should be more than enough.

Personally I wish I'd had the cash to get about 15 more folks from the forum to TAM. Had they been there I might have come out of my shell before Sunday evening.

Maybe...

-----------
Girl6 is totally reliable as far as I can tell. But given that she is a godless atheist, she might take the collected funds and head to Tahiti for the weekend, we'll just have to trust her.

As Kittynh has pointed out, if we could just scrape up $10 or $15 bucks a month and pile them together, come next January, we might be able to help people with air fare, hotels or registration on an ad hoc basis. I personally won't be able to contribute - barrring my getting a new, better paying job - the same lump sum that I did this year, but I can spot a sawback once in a while to help get people to attend.

Hell, even if I can't make it myself next year, it would be my pleasure to assist someone for TAM '04. The experience was truly Amazing. :)

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
Girl6 is totally reliable as far as I can tell. But given that she is a godless atheist, she might take the collected funds and head to Tahiti for the weekend, we'll just have to trust her.


Yes, I'm a godless atheist! I'm godless and I'm proud! LOL!! :D

No worries, my people. I would NEVER take the funds and spend them frivolously.

But, if I see a pair of shoes that I like, watch out! Besides, I can't be going to Tahitit by myself! ;)

G6

[Colloden]

Originally posted by Girl 6 (snip)

.... I can't be going to Tahitit by myself! ;)

G6

I'm game. Just you, me and your blazer. :p

edited for spelling

[SkepticScott]

Originally posted by Girl 6
Yes, I'm a godless atheist! I'm godless and I'm proud!(snip)Isn't "godless atheist" redundant? :D

I should have brought my "Friendly Neighborhood Atheist" t-shirt to TAM. I've worn it and it does cause smiles, chuckles and 'thumbs-up' gestures. I did wear my "Infidel" sweat-shirt on the plane.

[Dinonychus]

Originally posted by SkepticScott
I should have brought my "Friendly Neighborhood Atheist" t-shirt to TAM.


Where can I get one?

[arcticpenguin]

Originally posted by Dinonychus

Where can I get one?
Here (http://www.ffrf.org/products.html)

[Dinonychus]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin

Here (http://www.ffrf.org/products.html)

Thanks, AP

[kittynh]

Colloden, you get the blazer off Girl6....
just distract her long enough for me to take it...
after that you are on your own....;)

But on a serious note, if you want to start collecting Girl6, I'll send on my first check...it'll be small, but enough small ones can add up!

[Charlie in Dayton]

Originally posted by Girl 6
...Oh yeah... That blazer causes a ruckus wherever I go with it!...
...It has a netting of flounces in the back and is fitted like a riding jacket. It's very Victorian looking from the back.


Trust me...when you walk by wearing that thing, we're not watching the material...:eek:

[Sansha]

I would really appreciate any assistance that was available to come to the conference. As an australian, it is particularly difficult for me to make it as the price, while fair, is a lot when you have to pay in US dollars and I have to pay my air fare as well. As a lurker rather than a contributor I don't know if I would be eligible but if I could suggest a cheaper ticket or waived admission for those of us from across the seas? Obviously shared accom etc would be greatly appreciated as well.
Anyone coming to the Aus Skeptics annual conference in Canberra is welcome to stay with me in return!!

I think having the details are far in advance as possible really helps as well as I can save for longer and get the best airfares.


poor aussie.

[Sansha]

I would really appreciate any assistance that was available to come to the conference. As an australian, it is particularly difficult for me to make it as the price, while fair, is a lot when you have to pay in US dollars and I have to pay my air fare as well. As a lurker rather than a contributor I don't know if I would be eligible but if I could suggest a cheaper ticket or waived admission for those of us from across the seas? Obviously shared accom etc would be greatly appreciated as well.
Anyone coming to the Aus Skeptics annual conference in Canberra is welcome to stay with me in return!!

I think having the details are far in advance as possible really helps as well as I can save for longer and get the best airfares.


poor aussie.

[Jack of Hearts]

I wouldn't have been at the Amaz!ng Meeting if not for the generous donation of a "scholarship" that Linda seemed to think I deserved! :D I had a wonderful time, met wonderful people, and learned some great lessons about spreading the "rational message". By next January, I expect to be in a financial condition wherein I can not only pay my own way, but contribute to someone else's trip. :)


John

[Lisa]

Sorry for butting in late, just got back from vacation last night.

This sounds like a great idea. Sort of like our telethon, small contributions by a lot of people can add up to a lot of $$$.
Can we contribute something besides hard cash? Say, a contribution of a conference fee? Or a night at the hotel?