In message , Martin
writes
On Sat, 2 Aug 2014 18:41:46 +0100, "Bob Hobden" wrote:

"Martin" wrote ...

"Bob Hobden" wrote:

"bert" wrote

Chris Hogg writes
bert wrote:


Age Uk are a commercial business much like SAGA making money out of
older people whilst pretending to be charitable

What makes you say that?
Experience
The Wikipedia entry describes Age UK as being
formed by a merger between Age Concern and Help The Aged, both
respected charities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_UK

That's what they would have you believe. But they are a business run for
the benefit of themselves as opposed to shareholders.

I think I understand you point Bert. Some charities are now so big that
they
appear to us normal folk as a big business and are run on the same lines,
their charitable works seem to pale into insignificance to their money
making.

Some charities have overheads of 50%. There used to be a publicly
accessible
website where you could judge for your self before donating.
http://www.charityfinancials.com/

Take the RHS, went to Wisley yesterday to get a specific plant they said
on
their web site they sold (no we don't but we can order it for you!) but
the
car park and overflow car park were full to bursting which must equate to
a
huge amount of entrance charges or annual fees on just one day. Yet they
constantly ask for more money which begs the question where does it all
go,
I suspect salaries and expenses.
The RNLI don't pay the sailors but their office staff, of which there are
thousands, have a lovely new office with seriously subsidised food yet
some
Lifeboats have been told to buy their own equipment. Priorities seem a bit
awry. It's why I give my money to the actual Lifeboat Station, then they
keep it.

I've always given to the actual station, but hadn't realised that it wasn't
passed on to head office.

The RNLI has more money than they can ever spend.

A supplier of specialist equipment that the RNLI boats use told me that fact
a couple of years ago. The lifeboat station can then use it for their
station and boat, for better equipment for the crew, etc. Which is how he
found out, when stations started ordering equipment direct because HO had
not ordered any.

I was a bit shocked that one of the East Coast lifeboat stations had a
new boat
but couldn't use it until they had raised £250,000 for a launching vehicle.
The problems began when the previous government with the best of
intentions decided to tackle the perceived barrier to people being
willing to become Trustees of charities because of a (false) belief that
they would be automatically personally liable if things went wrong. They
introduced the idea of Community Interest Companies (AKA Not for profit
Companies except that they do make a profit). So Trustees were replaced
by Directors and if you have directors then you must have a Chief
Executive Officer. Obviously that makes you a very important person so
you must have a large office, a PA, a company car, several direct
reports and a large salary.
In order to determine(increase) your salary you employ Remuneration
Consultants just like proper companies do who of course only get more
work by giving you the answer you want to hear - you are grossly
underpaid compared to real directors and so you get a large increase and
a six figure salary. To justify this even further you employ lots of
staff. At the bottom end to keep every one thinking you are a charity
you use "volunteers" but who are really just unpaid workers in your eyes
to do as they're told which includes fund raising and to help your staff
to control them you give them training in Managing Volunteers.

I could go on but I think you should get my drift.
--
bert