Musicians Relief Fund........two years and counting

Juniorkimbrough · #1 08-11-2008, 10:41 AM

Just a reminder that it's now been two years since BigMikeW has taken all our "donations" for the Musicians Relief and Scholarship Fund and still done nothing. I have contacted tombowlus on several occasions over the past two years, last I heard from him he's done all he can do and is just waiting on Mike Winnen.

How long can one be patient without feeling they have been victim of a thief?

Mike, do the right thing and finish what you started or hand all information needed over to another individual who can finish this.

**john turner** · #2 08-11-2008, 11:03 AM

what what what?

bongomania · #3 08-11-2008, 11:12 AM

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #4 08-11-2008, 11:14 AM

I'm listening.

Mark Latimour · #5 08-11-2008, 11:14 AM

+1

For those wanting to get caught up:

Mike Fredericks and the Musicians Relief and Scholarship Fund - www.musiciansfund.org <-= Original(ish) thread

MikeBass Valenti Update.... Musicians Fund Charity too. <-= Follow up

Musicians Relief Fund?? <-= Follow up

FWIW I used to do some pro bono work in Australia helping charities get set up and many times, they never get off the ground after the original enthusiasm has subsided. Not saying thats the case here, but its not uncommon.

Darkstrike · #6 08-11-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

what what what?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

I'm listening.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

+1

Mmmhmmmmm..........

mike_v_s · #7 08-11-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

+1

This whole thing has been very interesting. When it was first proposed I paid particular attention as I thought it was a good idea. I had also just quit a non profit for ethical reasons (among others) and decided to hold my personal donation until more details (like percentage overhead or even specific accounting) became public. It's a shame this is what it is coming to, but I hope everyone stays as vigilant with all the money they donate. It doesn't always go where you think it does....this even (or especially) goes for the big name ones.

Mike

**JoshB** · #8 08-11-2008, 11:38 AM

I'm interested in seeing what comes of this...

Juniorkimbrough · #9 08-11-2008, 11:39 AM

Yep, I really hate to have to publically call people out but I'm not going to "just forget about this"......People have donated their hard earned money in hopes that it would go to help someone in need.

fwiw, I haven't cotacted BigMike recently just because last year when I did all he had were excuses......no timeline on when and what was going to be done but just flat out lame excuses.

mods please let me know if I am out of line but I don't know how else to bring it to the donors attention than posting this publicly.

fishtx · #10 08-11-2008, 11:53 AM

Interesting Thread...

kazamamaster · #11 08-11-2008, 12:12 PM

interesting...

Juniorkimbrough · #12 08-11-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

+1

For those wanting to get caught up:

Mike Fredericks and the Musicians Relief and Scholarship Fund - www.musiciansfund.org <-= Original(ish) thread

MikeBass Valenti Update.... Musicians Fund Charity too. <-= Follow up

Musicians Relief Fund?? <-= Follow up

FWIW I used to do some pro bono work in Australia helping charities get set up and many times, they never get off the ground after the original enthusiasm has subsided. Not saying thats the case here, but its not uncommon.

in addition here is the one year and counting thread...

Musicians Relief Fund??

BigMikeW · #13 08-11-2008, 12:27 PM

I have already remarked about everything and won't again.

Wife is still out of work and I am working as much as possible. I have a list of what Tom needs and I hope to get it to him soon.

This endeavor is something that is important but not as important as taking care of my family.

Juniorkimbrough · #14 08-11-2008, 12:32 PM

when is "soon"? If I remember correctly that's the same thing that was said a year ago.

And please don't bring your wife or family into this. it has nothing to do with them......this is between you and the TB'ers that donated their hard earned money. Regardless of what you think others are struggling to get by as well.......from the looks of it by the end of the year I'm going to be taking a $5K pay cut from last year.

**john turner** · #15 08-11-2008, 12:34 PM

ok, so what's the deal here? who has the money? how much was it? did it ever get to tom?

what's going on? this needs full disclosure right now, i think, or there's going to be some serious consequences. despite talkbass's official stance on these things, this happened anyway, and now something pretty ugly has apparently gone down, attached to talkbass's name. i'll have none of that.

Mark Latimour · #16 08-11-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeW

I have already remarked about everything and won't again.

Wife is still out of work and I am working as much as possible. I have a list of what Tom needs and I hope to get it to him soon.

This endeavor is something that is important but not as important as taking care of my family.

In all fairness to both sides, you could just refund the money to those who donated it. If the endeavor is important to you, you can set it up when you have the time to administer it properly and solicit donations for it then. There is no need to continue to hold the money of the donators for two years with no action. They obviously donated to see it put to use. Its not being put to the use intended at the present. When you are in a position to put it to use (and for them to claim their deductions etc), they can donate it again.

Seems like a fair compromise to me.

BigMikeW · #17 08-11-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

when is "soon"? If I remember correctly that's the same thing that was said a year ago.

And please don't bring your wife or family into this. it has nothing to do with them......this is between you and the TB'ers that donated their hard earned money. Regardless of what you think others are struggling to get by as well.......from the looks of it by the end of the year I'm going to be taking a $5K pay cut from last year.

Again, all funds were used as described previously and nothing has changed. This charity WILL take a back seat to my family whether you like it or not.

Your donation for filing the paperwork went to exactly that and Tom has confirmed it.

This is my last comment on this. I will work to get Tom what he needs but I have things that are more pressing right now.

Mark Latimour · #18 08-11-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

ok, so what's the deal here? who has the money? how much was it? did it ever get to tom?

what's going on? this needs full disclosure right now, i think, or there's going to be some serious consequences. despite talkbass's official stance on these things, this happened anyway, and now something pretty ugly has apparently gone down, attached to talkbass's name. i'll have none of that.

John IIRC the original request for donations was what prompted Talkbass' official stance on these things.

**john turner** · #19 08-11-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

In all fairness to both sides, you could just refund the money to those who donated it. If the endeavor is important to you, you can set it up when you have the time to administer it properly and solicit donations for it then. There is no need to continue to hold the money of the donators for two years with no action. They obviously donated to see it put to use. Its not being put to the use intended at the present. When you are in a position to put it to use (and for them to claim their deductions etc), they can donate it again.

Seems like a fair compromise to me.

+1

BigMikeW · #20 08-11-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

In all fairness to both sides, you could just refund the money to those who donated it. If the endeavor is important to you, you can set it up when you have the time to administer it properly and solicit donations for it then. There is no need to continue to hold the money of the donators for two years with no action. They obviously donated to see it put to use. Its not being put to the use intended at the present. When you are in a position to put it to use (and for them to claim their deductions etc), they can donate it again.

Seems like a fair compromise to me.

Very little money was for the setup of the charity. That money went to Tom and was used for filings.

The rest of the money went to the Mike Fredericks Relief Fund and was all used. No idea where the notion that there was money left over or being held sinc I layed out that it was all used.