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In my last post I talked about how the global financial meltdown has affected my own, usually-prosperous small business. There are still things I am doing without that would normally have not seen an eyelid twitch at the checkout. Even as recently as this weekend gone my best friend and I were perusing the refurbished Marina Mirage shopping precinct at Main Beach here on the Gold Coast with the utmost restraint. Ordinarily a safe bet would’ve been on us both parting with some moula in exchange for some wearable memories of our visit. This time the smart money was in my wallet – at home (except one plastic card that happened to be in my pocket just in case).

Aside from the effects of an economic downturn on our own, immediate circumstances, spare a thought for the many not-for-profit organisations that rely on our ordinary generosity and goodwill. Whether their cause is for animals, people or the planet, these various charity and community organisations are by and large at the complete mercy of the economic climate of the day. As a person who rarely says “No” to the nice lady from the Children’s Mater Hospital (Hi Christine, hope the family’s well) each month as their new raffle prize home is offered over the phone, or the almost countless others (PCYC, RSPCA and the list continues) I am now that person who cuts the call short.

Saying “No”, like anything, is a whole lot easier when you don’t have a choice.

There’s no need to listen to the spiel about the beautiful home or nice cars on offer as the outcome is the same: I can’t help this time. Before I’m taken to task on the concept that buying tickets in a raffle is not exactly a donation, I should point out that in over fifteen years of doing this I have won not a brass razoo. I know I’m not really going to be spending my summer cruising the Gold Coast in a new black Mustang Fastback (unless I buy one) so the only help I’ll be to the Surf Life Savers right now is to swim between the flags. So I politely thank the various callers for their patience and wish them a nice evening, suggesting they call back next month to see how I’m traveling.  Whether that’s optimism or confidence time will tell.

Now the world doesn’t stop just because Greg Anderson can’t spare some change, I know that. I also know that I’m not the only person in this situation and the ramifications for those organisations relying on the rest of us are huge. When a lot of people make a small contribution or effort the results can be immense. The opposite is equally true when they don’t.

Saying “No” for now.

-Greg

Related posts:

1. Greed vs Charity, and having to say “No”

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