The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Queensland, Australia - Example

Client Report Name: Lecturer: Course name: Course code: Date: Executive Summary St.Vincent de Paul is a society well known in Queensland, Australia, and helps many people who are disadvantaged in life. The organization trades in low priced household goods especially clothing and offers subsidized donations to the less fortunate in cities and countryside. Many people know the society but negatively as they associate it with cheap clothes and regard it as a dumping site. People have been generous to donate but when they do give, items could be stolen or spoilt which eventually becomes useless rubbish. Dumping of goods outside the Vinnie’s has created an ugly scene by diminishing the egalitarian intentions of the society. People have also found an easy dumping ground as they do not need to visit the dumpsite or bins. Thieves come to steal items which are still valuable while they have an easy way out of this. Dumpers and thieves are not being monitored and take advantage of their anonymity to go about this business. Perhaps it is an attitude problem that has matured in people and cannot easily change. If only people get educated that the welfare requires that the integrity and dignity and respect for would-be users are upheld. A strong message to donors that what they can no longer wear it or use is unfit and should not be dumped at Vinnie’s. People need to be told why these donations are needed and their use. Table of Contents Executive Summary 0 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Discussion 3 Conclusions and Recommendations 5 References 6 Appendix I 7 Backgrounder 7 Appendix II 9 Fact Sheet 9 Introduction St.Vincent de Paul is a society well known in Queensland, Australia, and helps many people who are disadvantaged in life. The organization trades in low priced household goods especially clothing and offers subsidized donations to the less fortunate in cities and countryside. Many people know the society but negatively as they associate it with cheap clothes and regard it as a dumping site. People have been generous to donate but when they do give, items could be stolen or spoilt which eventually becomes useless rubbish. Dumping of goods outside the Vinnie’s has created an ugly scene by diminishing the egalitarian intentions of the society. Discussion The society has had bad a reputation problem emanating from donors who leave their donations outside unattended or not received by a Vinnie’s attendant. The society is incurring costs relating to disposal of non-usable items. Measures have been devised to curb dumping and stealing from the Vinnie’s. However, people seem not to heed the signs and advice given on the billboards. The major problem experienced here is the way people have changed the donation site into a dumping zone (Cheng & Mohamed, 2010). Unusable items ranging from household goods to clothing are brought when they are beyond reuse. People have also found an easy dumping ground as they do not need to visit the dumpsite or bins. Thieves come to steal items which are still valuable while they have an easy way out of this. Dumpers and thieves are not being monitored and take advantage of their anonymity to go about this business. Perhaps it is an attitude problem that has matured in people and cannot easily change (White, 2010). The primary objective is to teach people but not to warn them as they are still potential givers. Getting opinions of donors is a welcome thought as they can help to improve the situation and feel honored for their hearty donations (Liao-Troth, 2008). There must be a way to prevent thieves and predators from taking advantage of this service to the less fortunate. People need to know that donations are accepted when presented at the shops and at premises since the society has a pick-up service. Besides, people should know that inconsiderate dumping makes volunteers at Vinnie’s to have difficult times unpacking and sorting their donations. Donors should know that some items left at the shops pose health risks to volunteers like broken glasses and needles. In addition, the donors need to know that they are giving generously to other humans who also expect quality goods (White, 2010). A serious message is to the giver that an item can only be donated if it is still suitable for use by the donor. People also should know that goods and clothing donated are to be given to those who do not have and are not in any case meant for further trade. Donors are to be urged to donate more beds to aid those who sleep on the streets or floors. A group of donors and interested groups are to be reached in advocacy programs leveled to improve the dumping situation at Vinnie’s. Donors in this case are owners of these items however, small and are willing to give but not to dump. School children can be molded at an early age to be volunteers and recognize the need for donating usable items responsibly (White, 2010). Homeowners and residents are to be urged to donate beds and clothing and drop them at Vinnie’s only after being received by an attendant. Thieves and predators are posing, and major problem and this can be sorted out by providing security and closer administration of Vinnie’s to help reduce dumping and pilferage. The local authority can also help to provide a caveat emptor, and van to transport rubbish as well as bar dumpers (Liao-Troth, 2008). Conclusions and Recommendations 1. Highlight health risk to volunteers e.g. glass, needles, and disease etc 2. Thieves need to be dissuaded and controlled especially at Christmas seasons. Security cameras and warning signs will help to bar those whose intention is to dump or steal. 3. Take school classes through Vinnie’s shops and show them what is done and encourage them to volunteer to unpack, clean and learn on environmental responsibility. 4. Always show large posters with examples of rubbish, volunteers sorting and the quality of donations being asked for 5. Signs of bins asking people to be considerate to the people that have to unpack and sort their donations 6. If only people get educated that the welfare requires that the integrity and dignity and respect for would-be users are upheld. 7. A strong message to donors that what they can no longer wear it or use is unfit and should not be dumped at Vinnie’s 8. People need to be told why these donations are needed and their use References Cheng, W., & Mohamed, S. (2010). The World that Changes the World: How Philanthropy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship are Transforming the Social System. John Wiley & Sons. Liao-Troth, M. A. (2008). Challenges in Volunteer Management. IAP. White, D. (2010). The Nonprofit Challenge: Integrating Ethics into the Purpose and Promise of Our Nation's Charities. Palgrave Macmilla. Appendix I Backgrounder The St Vincent de Paul Society which is located in Queensland, operates centers of Charity in the form of Vinnie’s shops to help disadvantaged Queenslanders. They operated in Queensland by selling household items like clothing and furniture to the less fortunate people at a low cost. It depends on donations from the general public to stock the shops. Donations are made through dropping off at stores during business hours, putting into one of our charity bins or dropping off to one their warehouses/depots. These shops generate an estimated 45% of the society’s income, making them a crucial funding source for their programs and services. Destination of these funds are initiating projects like housing, family support, disability services, disaster recovery, drug and alcohol rehabilitation among others. However, it is facing a major problem of people leaving items outside their collection places/areas. Some people drop off their donations at off peak business hours to creating a pile of goods which easily gets damaged or stolen. In addition, well intentioned people to donate items that are not useable like broken fridge while others drop rubbish such as dirty nappies that has to be disposed of. Annually, 50% of donations cannot actually be used, and at Christmas season rubbish is at 80%. Also, 50% of the furniture items are usable most of the time. It takes 2 for trucks transferring rubbish from shops and warehouses to the Council tip, which could reduce time of 4-5 welfare recipients in disposal. Some municipality councils allow free dumping of rubbish but not all. The society considers educating people about what can and can’t be used. It also intends to talk to these people who have no other contact with the society beyond stopping by the shop/warehouse to leave items. Though no budget has been allocated, it intends to strike a delicate balance between discouraging people from dumping rubbish without putting them off from giving donations. The society has obtained information through a survey overview of volunteer members and State Communications Coordinator to develop an education and public relations campaign plan that involved generated media interest and placing posters at the sites where people were leaving goods. Some of the responses to questions responded with a higher degree of dumping and intolerance. Many have bad stories about dumping saying that the centers suffer from dumping. Rubbish ranging from baby nappies, broken glasses and dangerous needles have being received. They suggest education, advocacy and volunteerism to sensitize people on kindness and generosity to include treating recipients of donations with dignity. Many respondents were confident that education would change the attitude of many donors and thieves. Reaching out to the audience is through the media, word of mouth and signage. Also, signs of bins asking people to be considerate to the people that have to unpack and sort their donations tell a lot. Other ways are to show examples of rubbish and the quality required. Besides, pictures of our volunteers sorting pose a health risk to them like handling glass and needles which are lethal. People need to be educated that the welfare to be delivered needs to be good quality because it’s a business of dealing with other human beings. Appendix II Fact Sheet a) The Vinnie’s shops generate approximately 45% of St. Vincent De Paul’s income, making them an important funding source for its programs and services. b) The society helps disadvantaged Queenslanders through the money generated in these shops, as well as other sources, through: i. Housing and Family support ii. Disability services and Disaster recovery iii. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation iv. Financial services and Food distribution v. Migrants and refugees vi. Overseas partnerships and Youth programs c) Challenges faced i. People abandon items outside the collection places or areas. ii. People donating items that are no longer usable d) Statistics i. On an average year, 50% of what is donated cannot actually be used, and at Christmas season rubbish is at 80%. ii. Furniture items are also only 50% usable most of the time. iii. Trucks transferring rubbish from the shops and warehouses to the Council tip takes 2 hours and in that same time, 4-5 welfare recipients, who are the major priority, could be assisted. iv. Some municipality councils permit rubbish dumping to the tip for free, but most charge. e) Considerations i. Educating people on what to be dropped at Vinnie’s ii. Talking to these people who may have no other contact beyond stopping by the shop or warehouse to drop items iii. Striking a delicate balance between discouraging people from dumping rubbish without putting them off making a donation iv. Allocating a budget for this activity f) Survey A survey of members and volunteers about the issue of dumping at the shop was carried out and found out that all stores experience dumping to the tune of 50-75 percent, which includes white goods dumped such as garbage and tree clippings. It’s easier to dump at Vinnie’s than the rubbish dump. Some centers have erected large signs that warn dumping is prohibited. Use of security camera, TV, radio, internet, billboards, auto spotlights, fake video cameras, and prosecution notices can help correct the catastrophe. Read More