The Discussion Is Happening.

One might think I am not happy with the recent coverage, and follow up editorial (as expected) regarding the Rotary charities of traverse City.

I think it is very good.  Great in fact!  I doubt the Rotary prefers to have this out in the open, but I certainly am ready to ask the questions.  This discussion needs to start.

How can the Rotary advocate big government, facilitate plans that wind up putting private property owners at odds with “regional planners”, and still expect to be viewed as a 501(c)(3) organization?  A charity has POSITIVE impact.  A perception of positive by some, while engaging the negatives of others is not at all something that is free of politics.  Fixing homes, feeding the poor, scholarships, providing education for self reliance, all charitable measures.

Creating an environment that can be (and often is) used to force land owners to capitulate to “visioning” plans they disagree with is quite opposite of (c)(3) consideration.

Per the IRS:

Charitable Organizations

If your organization is applying for recognition of exemption as a charitable organization, it must show that it is organized and operated for purposes that are beneficial to the public interest. Some examples of this type of organization are those organized for:

1. Relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged,
2. Advancement of religion,
3. Advancement of education or science,
4. Erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works,
5. Lessening the burdens of government,
6. Lessening of neighborhood tensions,
7. Elimination of prejudice and discrimination,
8. Defense of human and civil rights secured by law, and
9. Combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

The fifth consideration alone is worthy of analysis.

I stated my concern two times with regard to recent activities by the Rotary and its grant making.  The letter that I wrote is available here.

The editorial today as usual reflects ignorance of cause and effect, and frankly overstates the positive effect the Rotary has on our community.  To say that we would be like every other depressed community with the absence of Rotary Charities is ludicrous.  This ignores the natural beauty of our area, and/or any other efforts that would be made in the absence of merely ONE affective organization in our midst.

To treat this (now politically engaged) organization as a sacred cow that must not be even looked upon with suspicion a keen eye, ever, is to ignore the history of man and the effect of money on what we are as human beings.

Imperfect and corruptible.