Q: Dennis
I guess those numbers don't include the numerous lawsuits won by BRC?
A: Greg
Yes those numbers do include all of our funding including legal actions.
Q: Dennis
$561,815.00 in direct public support. $284,689.00 in membership fees. $232,450.00 in Salaries
That's quite disturbing. Impressive burn rate.
A: Greg
Impressive burn rate? Disturbing? What is disturbing about that? Our top payed position is only $70k a year. It takes good people to get done what we are getting done on behalf of recreation. And we are getting a great deal done as is obvious from the attacks we keep getting from the other side. We have 7 full-time people, 1 part-time person and 4 contractors along with a host of volunteers across this nation. I would say if you do the math that is not burn rate by any stretch. On the contrary, we are frugal and act in good stewardship with the donor's money. Check out what the other side has in that department.
Q: Dennis
Hey Bebes, out of curiosity, are you on BRC's payroll or do you recieve any financial comphensation?
A: Greg
No Bebes is not counted as one of our paid staff although I am quite familiar with her volunteer efforts to that end...
Q: Dennis
Sierra Club = $92 Million Dollars - 2.5% to Administration costs.
BRC = $1 Million Dollars - 22% to Administration costs.
I'm trying to simplify it as best as I can, but can you see what is wrong with this picture?
A: Greg
Actually, yes I can see what is wrong with this picture. But, it is the polar opposite of what you are getting at obviously.
Perhaps you could enlighten me as to what is wrong with putting as much as possible back out on the ground working for your people? After all, that is why they joined and donated. They want people out there working for them. This is an advocacy organization.
This is also why we are constantly under attack... because we are getting things done. We are putting our folks' money to work and that requires people to do it. We are doing it as efficiently as possible. If I had their budget, you would still see the same percentages if not higher. People out there working is how you get the job done. We are not about being a big business monster. We are about advocating for recreation.
Q: Dennis
All these pretty words BRC use like "Non-Profit", ""Volunteers", "Noble Cause" yet a huge percentage to salary.
At least Sierra club is opened book about their agenda.
Why is it that "Good People" at Seirra Club volunteer their services(2.5%),
And the "Good People" at BRC need to be on a fat payroll(22%)?
If you were to adapt the Sierra model, you should be only burning $25,000.00 for salaries. But shouldn't you be? BRC is a non-profit, volunteer organization right?
What I find scary is the BRC's payroll in relation to it's public donations and income. That's a scary burn-rate.
I have no problems with what you're trying to sell. It's how you're selling it.
A: Greg
This is a silly spin you are using that makes no sense in the real world.
In the first place, it is a simple function of mathematics to figure out your twist has nothing to do with the number of volunteers out there working and everything to do with the size of the budget income from big corporations and foundations funded by big corporations.
Huge percentage to payroll? Fat payroll? Give me a break. I wish I could pay our staff more money... something more in line with what the business world pays.
We are doing what we say we are doing. That is what it is about. It isn't about selling something. I don't understand why you keep saying that we are not upfront about what we are doing. There is no hidden agenda here. What is it that you think is hidden and not upfront?
C: Bebe
"You can measure your level of success by amount of people you've pissed off"
R: Dennis
Sierra Club has pissed off millions of people.
BRC has pissed off none. 3 or 4 people were just shaking their heads at how poorly it's being run, asking questions.
By how it reads, It seems you and Greg are slightly, if not pissed off, angry and defensive.
That quote does not apply to BRC.
R: Greg
You are quite right. I am necessarily in a defensive posture. I and the organization I represent have stood accused unrighteously.
In the face of statements like, "...just shaking their heads at how poorly it's being run..." I thought I was being fairly civil. You surely realize that it is my job to see that it is run efficiently and you have just insulted me unabashedly. Yes, that makes me angry at some level and yes that makes me defensive. More importantly however, I'm still here trying to answer your questions whether they are well founded or not. I really do care about what the grassroots thinks and we really are sincere in trying to make a difference.
Q: Dennis
Are you guys formulating a strategy even? Or just reactive as they come along?
A: Bebe
Yes, have always had a strategy, you can read about it a www.sharetrails.org
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometime, you see them coming, sometimes you don't
Q: Dennis
Now let me ask you, how's the donations coming along?
People are donating LAND to Seirra Club. How's things going with you guys?
A: Bebe
The Sierra club was founded in 1882 by John Muir, he began with 180+ members. The BRC was founded in 1987. The Sierra Club has been around a lot longer, and have been accumulating land longer. I can say with a fair amount of confidence, that those BRC members on the posted list, could very well begin to donate property. And I'm changing my property trust accounts tomorrow. Guess who it's all going to now?
C: Dennis
Like most people here, When I look at donating to an non-profit organization, I research first.
When I see the "taking" disproportionate with the "giving"
I'm pointing out irregularities and comparisons.
R: Bebe
It's an unfair comparison, like comparing the Small Business balance sheet to a Blue Chip Company balance sheet. Makes no logical sense.
C: Dennis
I WON'T DONATE. And by the looks of it, alot here won't either.
R/Q: Bebe
What makes you think that?
C: Dennis
You definitely need restructuring and a strategy. If you deny that too, you've already lost.
At the very least, we were able to bring some attention to the Land use Forum. It's a freakin ghost town in here.
R: Bebe
The Land use forums are ghost towns on every site, not just this one.
C: Dennis
You definitely need restructuring and a strategy. If you deny that too, you've already lost.
If you need any strategy or marketing advice, let me know
R/Q: Bebe
Why don't you Volunteer your time?
So I hope that I was thorough enough and that all the questions have been answered, and all the comments responded too.