I can't be the only one wondering what the total for the Tsunami donations reached.... Can anyone provide a number?

Last I heard over $3 billion

I was referring to what the Penthouse Club event raised, not the world wide total.

who ever this joker is, he's using an alias seperate from what people on the board might know him as. I'm sure it's an attempt to stir up more trouble over the fund raiser.

I thought from the beginning it was morally wrong for a certain lady to post an ad (yes, it was an ad) to drum up business using the topic of the tsunami to draw attention to herself.

It's within TER guidelines to post an ad once a week--that's not the issue--but using a tragedy to attract business (using repeated threads and postings) is distateful.

Why didn't she just send in a personal $200 or $300 contribution (like many did quietly) without the need to be in the spotlight day after day?  

I could name instances where providers of my acquaintance have given money or time to different kinds of charities, but none needed to come on the boards to publicize/advertise their good deeds.  

Some of the cynics in the audience may applaud such marketing strategy--i.e. do whatever it takes to be in the limelight 24/7, but some of us draw the line at using human tragedies for personal gain.

Anyway, that was the backdrop of the situation before the relief party was ever decided upon. There were other issues too, but the bottom line is the relief party was under a cloud from day one.

Now that the party is over, and the attendees got their names published (not that everyone wanted publicity--probably only a few did), we can move past this issue.

Chrissy, you are a class act and a great provider.  But I have to disagree with your assessment of why this provider posted to have this party.  It in fact was not for publicity.  I know because she had over a week where she did no appts and actually referred them to other independents and agencies.  While I respect anyone's opinion relative to the fundraiser it did serve a good cause.  I understand there was somewhere in the area of $1500 raised.  Not a lot but something.  What started out as a good heart gesture got skewed by a skeptical few.  So, let me just say this.  Anyone wanting to fundraise for their favorite charity at home or abroad should be able to do that without being labeled as self serving.  I get invites from agencies to all kinds of affairs and some I attend and some i don't.  That is a personal choice everyone can make.  I hope in the future that no one will be supressed from trying to help their favorite cause based on a skeptical few.  I happen to support the local unweb mothers homes.  Many of them have serious problems and come from abusive relationships.  If I chose to ask the TER community to come to a fundraiser for that would i be labeled as looking for publicity or adveritising?  I'm vocal enough as it is.  I find that the hobbyist and providers in the TER community are for the most part thoughtful and generous individuals.  We may not always agree with each other but I do believe their is a mutual respect for opinions, good, bad or indifferent.  Chrissy, just my take on things.  Thanks for yours.  It was sincerely appreciated.

and I respect yours here although I personally disagree with you in the main. I think I know which provider you are referencing in your post and while I have never met the lady, I am not prepared to assume as skeptical a position as you on her intentions or motives. I could very well be wrong on this one and you correct, but I for one, am willing to accept that her motivations were truly more in trying to be helpful in a significant way rather than as self serving as you have postulated. I am uncertain also about just what "cloud" the event was under as you see it. If I am in line with your thinking about who the provider in question is, she had nothing to do with the organizing or running of the event. I have not a clue as to what generates your comment about the mentioning of persons names in some of the friendly banter that has been on our board of late but sense some anger or resentment on your part. I for one, have no problem providing some marketing help for our more involved and reputable providers when an opportunity presents itself as you already know. The event raised a significant amount of funds, some amount of which I dare say would not have been contributed without the event. It was a "party" afterall and people can do good deeds AND have fun at the same time.

I couldn't have said it better myself.  What is even worse is reading that the money raised was only $1500.  I'm sorry but that sounds rather low for such a "high turnout" of people.  It seems like many in attendance spent more on booze and lap dances than they did on donations. How sad that is.

Wow were did that  come from?   I am amazed that  you would assume that this was all some ploy by  a provider to drum up business.     If you look at the start of this it was  initially posted  by  one of the gents at her  request  without even mentioning her.  In fact her name was only  brought into this after  DorD was getting the  credit.    He was taking the lead  until  he received so much personal crap on this board he dropped out. Yes her name was  mentioned a lot since then but the  controversy over this event  led to a lot of posts. The work she put into this certainly  cost her time and the controversy may have even cost her  business.   She is a smart lady  but too think that she would be so  devious as to come up with this as ploy is unimaginable.  Yes she did place her link on  one of her posts , maybe that is where you  found  fault.  You may be one who  finds  fault  in all business association  with a charity.  I wonder if you  even know the person involved to set yourself in a position of judgment.  I do know her and  believe she is genuine in  her  wish to help .
Chrissy I respect  your  opinion but in this  case I disagree.   To me your post is ill informed and actually seems  mean spirited with a noticeable lack of charity.  It saddens me to think of the hurt you have caused.  There is one who will take your words to heart and does not deserve such grief.

Sorry but that sounds awfully catty to me, Chrissy! What is the problem with someone using their profession to get money for a charity? It is the GIVING that is important... not how it was arranged or how it was given. I applaud the provider who, before the tsunami fundraiser was brought about, offered to donate her earnings to the relief. I also applaud all who were so giving of their time and efforts to put the fundraiser together and make it a success. I doubt that we all would have been as generous as we were at the fundraiser if we hadn't been given that extra motivation of a get together. So it was a 'party'... many organizations throw galas, dinners, etc. to raise money and nobody scorns them for it. Why should people in our business be any different? Jump off that holier than thou pedestle and stop  judging. That's for God to do, not you.

Even though I don’t agree 100% I have to applaud you on your honesty and courage to speak your opinion Chrissy.

Is there a definite for sure on the $ raised?
How does that money get to the victims? Or was there a specific purpose for the money raised?

Unfortunately I was unable to make the event but was curious as to what the outcome was, as far as the fundraising goes. Did I miss that thread?  I agree that this part of the event was probably not the highlight of the night, but I don't feel their intentions were self-centered. Either way it seems many people had a good night, a good hangover and hopefully the funds can make a difference.  

It would appear from the posts that some of us think the provider Chrissy is referencing is the one who offered to donate her earnings for the relief effort. I believe her initiative came before the party was planned. Or perhaps, Chrissy was speaking about one particular lady who took the lead along with DorD on the party itself. It thought she was referring to the former.

I wanted to clarify a couple of things from my previous post.
Rereading my previous thoughts, brought a couple of things to my mind that I wanted to make sure were read.

One point that I didn't make well enough is that, "this provider",that went out of her way to put this thing together is a lady that I know personally and I don't feel like I gave her enough credit. I know for sure that "the provider" didn't have an alternative motive behind her wanting to do something good. It's an assumption that is so out context.
The truth of it is, "this provider" is one of the very few left that still has a heart and a conscious. There's very few people in this business that have at least one of those qualities let alone two. If you only met this lady you would realize how false your assumptions are on her intentions.

Another clarification-My reasons for those questions because I really did want to know the outcome and I hope that it wasn't taken as trying to be spiteful or vindictive. That's not my style.

Last I read/visit this board room because its entertaining. From reading the post ads to the opinions of others. Especially if they're not the norm response. Probably why Dano sparks my interest. : )Anyway I applaud anyone that can voice/type their opinion especially when it's not the norm response.  That is the purpose of this board right?
Oh much better and now
thx

What I don't like is someone in effect saying "come see me" (and making extra money).

Assume you own Acme Paint Store and a storm has hit Phoenix. You advertise, "Everyone help! Many homes have been damaged! Come to Acme, buy our paint for the home construction and we'll donate 10% of the profits to the relief effort."

What happens is that well-meaning people rush to Acme and spend a ton on paint. Acme ends up with extra business and a tidy profit.That's what I don't like--the fact that Acme manipulated the public's guilty feelings to make money for themselves.

A year or so ago an escort was killed in Las Vegas. Several ladies wrote posts of condolences, but at the end put their web site links. They were criticized (and rightly so, IMO) for "advertising" during a tragic period.

Whether any such advertising for the tsunami relief here was deliberately done for marketing purposes, no one will ever know...but it certainly looked improper to me.

From the perspective of a person who was at the party, I have to say that Crissy has a valid point.  When I arrived, I asked two individuals who was taking donations and neither one knew.  From a social perspective, the whole thing seemed like nothing more than (1) an marking introduction to new girls, particularly for two agencies (and those who were there know what I am talking about it); (2) a way for the providers to kiss the asses (in that marketing way we all do) of the 8 or 9 hobbyists who are pretty much addicted to the hobby.  (In fact, one of them had to report to the "madam" whether or not they were actually speaking to a potential client.)  On the other hand, Crissy, I would have expected nothing less, and when all is said and done, it did raise money and I did get to meet some providers/hobbyists who are "off the radar".  So thanks nonetheless to Angelina and other hosts who contributed the food . . .

As a hobbyist I'm mystified by this. I don't make my provider selections on fund raising ability or even heart, my selection process is much more shallow. It's based on looks, personality, cost and reliability (in no particular order). I went out Thursday night and donated some money, I otherwise would not have, and had some fun in the process. I guess I'm also mystified as to what I did wrong.

Well Chrissy, I'll say it once again.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  My problem with yours is you slammed a very nice lady who had nothing but good intentions.  You chose to do that in a public forum.  You had no background, did not bother to find out about this lady and what type of person she was but just to slam her and then justify why you did it.  I know you are getting back channeled by many and your attitude towards those certainly won't win you any friends.  I'm sorry you chose to handle this subject in the manner you did.  But .life goes on.

harry, great point.  you did nothing wrong nor did anyone else associated with this event.  A few people don't like for anyone to do anything that they feel doesn't meet their standard.  Very shallow of them.  Most likely pissed they didn't go and have the same good time as everyone else.  A missed opportunity for them to "market" since they felt that was the main reason for the function.

even with a few drinks in me! LOL I was told when I got there that they were late getting the donation box there but Angelina came by with it when it arrived. No big deal or hassle.

As for

"(1) an marking introduction to new girls, particularly for two agencies (and those who were there know what I am talking about it);"

Of course it was used for marketing! As I said before, major companies/corporations through huge galas, dinners, etc. as fundraisers. What the heck do you think they do at them? They don't simply write a check, hand it over and go home. The whole reason these fundraiser approaches are so successful is because the people who attend use it as a chance to network with the others in their fields. It is a prime opportunity for them to 'rub elbows' with people they may not normally be in contact with.  

"(2) a way for the providers to kiss the asses (in that marketing way we all do) of the 8 or 9 hobbyists who are pretty much addicted to the hobby.  (In fact, one of them had to report to the "madam" whether or not they were actually speaking to a potential client.)"

How sad that you consider drinking, socializing and playful fun as the providers kissing the asses of the hobbyists! Also, perhaps YOU KISS ASS in your marketing approach but I DO NOT. These guys know who and what they like and all of the ass kissing in the world won't do you any good if you're not what they're looking for. If you truly feel this is what YOU are doing you need to be in a different business...one where you can feel good about what you do.

I can't speak for everyone but I and the ladies that I spoke to that evening were having a great time and weren't worried about kissing anyone's ass ;o)


-- Modified on 1/31/2005 7:40:52 PM

... And attended the event.