Joining a charity group but not interested in the charity

[LoveTulips]

I know this sounds weird. But there is this group of older women who hold monthly meetings , set up a craft fair, a thrift fair, etc. all for a very good cause. But this cause is not close to my heart, in fact it's probably the furthest thing in my mind that I would volunteer for.

But here is the thing, I kind of like the vibe of these ladies and they are not (like at my senior centre) boring and looking like they are on their last legs and acting like it. My mom was 83 when she passed and she was so with it and mentally and physically active, that this is kind of the type of older, elderly women, I want to hang out with. But should I in good conscience join the group when it is not a cause that I'm interested in?

 

[Muskrat]

Yes. I know several people who assist with causes that they have no passion for. For exactly the reasons you state. I go to baseball games with my friends for the same reasons.

 

[againstthegrain]

After I lost my father I volunteered at Ronald McDonald House cooking dinner once a week for the guests whose circumstances were very dire. The volunteer cooks all seemed to be there trying to "get their mind right" after some negative life event. Some of the ladies were very good friends w each other and did other things together. Working to help other people is beneficial to all involved and there is nothing wrong or deceitful with that. And who knows perhaps you'll come to like the charity itself.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Go for it!

It’s a step, these ladies and their activities may eventually lead you to something that you are passionate about.

 

[oscash]

I know this sounds weird. But there is this group of older women who hold monthly meetings , set up a craft fair, a thrift fair, etc. all for a very good cause. But this cause is not close to my heart, in fact it's probably the furthest thing in my mind that I would volunteer for.

But here is the thing, I kind of like the vibe of these ladies and they are not (like at my senior centre) boring and looking like they are on their last legs and acting like it. My mom was 83 when she passed and she was so with it and mentally and physically active, that this is kind of the type of older, elderly women, I want to hang out with. But should I in good conscience join the group when it is not a cause that I'm interested in?

LoveTulips: Stay with this group of ladies, it's the company you need, you don't have to be close to the charity they support.

 

[Marv Malone]

Okay. But don't pretend you are really into the cause either.
Lots of groups are only socializing regardless of the cause of purpose of club.
I have been in them.

 

[George1959]

I wouldn't join a club of old men or ladies.

It's all the same. In 2000 my wife and I were two weeks on vacation on the isle of Malta in an all inclusive hotel.

One aIfternoon a group of senior ladies with an odor between camphor balls and perfume asked us, if we'd like joining them for "bingo".

We denied. The old ladie's husbands were sitting at the bar sipping cocktails at that time.

 

[Sunny]

It would depend on how far that charity is from my interests and values. If it is for a cause that I actively dislike, or think is harmful, of course I wouldn't join it. But if it doesn't really matter a lot to me one way or another, and I liked the people and their vibe, sure. Probably many people join charity organizations and even religious groups for similar reasons.

 

[BJintheUK]

I wouldn't join a club of old men or ladies.

It's all the same. In 2000 my wife and I were two weeks on vacation on the isle of Malta in an all inclusive hotel.

One aIfternoon a group of senior ladies with an odor between camphor balls and perfume asked us, if we'd like joining them for "bingo".

We denied. The old ladie's husbands were sitting at the bar sipping cocktails at that time.

So, did you both go and join the husbands at the bar?

 

[astralcat]

Yes, just join the group. It is still a charity group and unless you are vehemently opposed to the cause, then I would join in and contribute.

 

[Oldeagle66]

Whatever works to make people happy, however I don't think I could join an organization I don't feel passionate about. Seems like fakery to me.

 

[VaughanJB]

100%, join the group.

Nothing is one-dimensional.

 

[DHH]

Ask yourself three questions:
1. Are you opposed to the cause the money will be used for? Not just that it isn't something you'd work for, but are you actually against it?
2. Will your participation harm anyone else in any way"
3. Will your participation give you some happiness?

If the answer to number one or two is "yes," don't join.

If the answer to three is "yes," give it a go!

 

[Della]

I've almost been there, Love Tulips. I'll be more specific.

A bunch of nice women at my church are very involved in a, "Life Expectancy Center," in our town. They wanted me to join them, my best friend in the group is a nurse who does sonograms for them.

The purpose of the center is to talk young women out of having abortions. Some things they do, like promising them free disposable diapers forever, seem almost like bribes to me. Another one of my friends who strongly suggested birth control to a single woman who was there for the fifth time, got asked to leave and never come back.. She is the pastor's wife. Heh.

Now I don't take abortion casually and wouldn't have had one myself except in a rare case involving my life or the child's quality of life. But I don't think the decision should be made by the government so I vote pro-choice. These women would hate me if they knew that. So I didn't join them.

If your heart is not in the charity or you think the money raised would be better spent some other way, I would look for another group to join.