Nick
March 5th, 2002, 07:55 AM
I have also posted this message in Michelle Fan Chat:
First, I would like to thank all the folks who have worked hard to gather preliminary information as to what's feasible and the approximate costs involved, as well as the folks who started and monitored the various polls to gather consensus as to how this wonderful project should proceed.
I would assume that Phase I has been completed (ie, closing of the polls on the type of recognition to pursue (a medal), type of metal and so on). If this assumption is wrong, and discussion is still open as to what should be done (eg, medal versus statue versus plaque), I apologize, and someone should start a definitive poll as to what should be done.
However, on the assumption that Phase I is completed, and that MKF would like to present a medal to Michelle (to be composed of platinum plated with another precious metal), I would like to suggest that MKF establishes several committees to monitor and supervise the various stages needed to implement the project.
a. One committee can be formed to collect the checks. There have been suggestions that individual checks can be made out directly to the company producing the medal. This would work, provided that the company producing the medal (whichever company is eventually selected) agrees beforehand to this method of payment. This method would involve the company receiving hundreds of checks in small amounts for the payment of one medal, and I am not sure if any company is willing to agree to this administrative burden. Also, there is the problem that either too much or too little is sent to the company, if all the checks are made out to the company's name (ie, what does MKF/the company do (i) with the excess cash or (ii) if the aggregate amount sent in does not cover the costs of the medal). If the company is willing to bear the administrative burden and live with such uncertainty, that's fine.
If not, I would suggest that perhaps two people that are veterans of MKF and who live near each other be allowed to open a joint account that can only be operated by both signatories acting jointly. All checks can then be made out to the name of such an account, and the two signatories can then write out a check to the company producing the medal, and then write out a check for the remaining funds to the charity. I acknowledge that with this method, it would probably not be possible for individual donors to receive a tax deduction for the charity donation (since it would be a single donation from a common fund); however, it is the most expedient, and the portion contributed to charity by each person is likely to be small. Besides convenience, this method also ensures that the costs of producing the medal would be met first, and then all remaining funds be donated to charity. Finally, any costs incurred in setting up and operating the joint account (eg, bank fees) would be met out of the funds collected.
b. Another committee can be set up to oversee the design and production of the medal. This committee can take charge of collecting all the different suggestions and ideas that have been posted, and produce a number of different designs to be posted on the forum to be voted upon. After the design and inscription have been decided by the forum, the committee can then coordinate the production of the medal with the company engaged to produce the medal.
c. Another committee can be set up to oversee the presentation of the medal. It can take charge of collating the different ideas and suggestions as to how the presentation can take place, when it should take place, who to present the medal etc. Again, this committee can organize the different ideas and set up a poll for people to vote on.
d. Finally, someone would need to coordinate the efforts of these committees and keep the whole forum uptodate on what's happening. I would suggest that either Heather or Jen, or another veteran of the MKF to take the lead in this position.
The above is just a suggestion to give some structure to the project as it moves ahead. Each committee can start a thread that hopefully can remain permanently at the top of the board. Then anyone can post to the relevant thread he or her idea or suggestion relating to the specific topic. This would involve multiple postings by any one person, since everyone would have ideas regarding all topics, but hopefully, this suggestion would create focus for each topic, in that each thread would only be about one issue.
First, I would like to thank all the folks who have worked hard to gather preliminary information as to what's feasible and the approximate costs involved, as well as the folks who started and monitored the various polls to gather consensus as to how this wonderful project should proceed.
I would assume that Phase I has been completed (ie, closing of the polls on the type of recognition to pursue (a medal), type of metal and so on). If this assumption is wrong, and discussion is still open as to what should be done (eg, medal versus statue versus plaque), I apologize, and someone should start a definitive poll as to what should be done.
However, on the assumption that Phase I is completed, and that MKF would like to present a medal to Michelle (to be composed of platinum plated with another precious metal), I would like to suggest that MKF establishes several committees to monitor and supervise the various stages needed to implement the project.
a. One committee can be formed to collect the checks. There have been suggestions that individual checks can be made out directly to the company producing the medal. This would work, provided that the company producing the medal (whichever company is eventually selected) agrees beforehand to this method of payment. This method would involve the company receiving hundreds of checks in small amounts for the payment of one medal, and I am not sure if any company is willing to agree to this administrative burden. Also, there is the problem that either too much or too little is sent to the company, if all the checks are made out to the company's name (ie, what does MKF/the company do (i) with the excess cash or (ii) if the aggregate amount sent in does not cover the costs of the medal). If the company is willing to bear the administrative burden and live with such uncertainty, that's fine.
If not, I would suggest that perhaps two people that are veterans of MKF and who live near each other be allowed to open a joint account that can only be operated by both signatories acting jointly. All checks can then be made out to the name of such an account, and the two signatories can then write out a check to the company producing the medal, and then write out a check for the remaining funds to the charity. I acknowledge that with this method, it would probably not be possible for individual donors to receive a tax deduction for the charity donation (since it would be a single donation from a common fund); however, it is the most expedient, and the portion contributed to charity by each person is likely to be small. Besides convenience, this method also ensures that the costs of producing the medal would be met first, and then all remaining funds be donated to charity. Finally, any costs incurred in setting up and operating the joint account (eg, bank fees) would be met out of the funds collected.
b. Another committee can be set up to oversee the design and production of the medal. This committee can take charge of collecting all the different suggestions and ideas that have been posted, and produce a number of different designs to be posted on the forum to be voted upon. After the design and inscription have been decided by the forum, the committee can then coordinate the production of the medal with the company engaged to produce the medal.
c. Another committee can be set up to oversee the presentation of the medal. It can take charge of collating the different ideas and suggestions as to how the presentation can take place, when it should take place, who to present the medal etc. Again, this committee can organize the different ideas and set up a poll for people to vote on.
d. Finally, someone would need to coordinate the efforts of these committees and keep the whole forum uptodate on what's happening. I would suggest that either Heather or Jen, or another veteran of the MKF to take the lead in this position.
The above is just a suggestion to give some structure to the project as it moves ahead. Each committee can start a thread that hopefully can remain permanently at the top of the board. Then anyone can post to the relevant thread he or her idea or suggestion relating to the specific topic. This would involve multiple postings by any one person, since everyone would have ideas regarding all topics, but hopefully, this suggestion would create focus for each topic, in that each thread would only be about one issue.