Pittsmom,
I’d like to address those statements“I was respectful of your views” and “I never made personal attacks against you” So you “never attacked” me, and you and MommaJ have always been “respectful” of others’ opinions. If you don’t mind, I’ll recap.
I’ll point out that you started attacking my views when I originally posted to no one in particular, simply addressing the question on the forum. At that point, after you initiated the attacks, it's a fair game. A person guilty of the crime shouldn’t point fingers.
First, I’d like to agree with your statement that “when one doesn't like the facts that are presented, s/he resorts to personal attacks" Thank you for bringing that to light so that we can stop this bombardement from MommaJ on everyone who has a different opinion from hers. Some of her unwarranted personal attacks are illustrated below.
In my original post I addressed the question on the forum, "Is this society a scam?" Most people were throwing the word "scam" around, and that is what I was responding to. In my second post, I addressed no one person, again, but instead, addressed the issue of reduced membership fees. I never said Pittsmom claimed it was a scam personally. However, as soon as I gave my opinion, I was attacked by MommaJ, throwing false and unwarranted accusations, saying:
"Please don't rely on the posts of a new member....[she must be] an employee or principal..." because no one is allowed to have a difference of opinion on here apparently.
And again, resorted to the same tactic with John006a "If you are legit and not a NSHSS plant (riiigghht)...."
And again, “your claims that membership constitutes an "extracurricular activity" and equates to "being in an academic atmosphere [that] helps a student's drive to do well." Gimme a break.” About which I never claimed. I said that it offers activities in an academic environment. Again, read more closely before making attacks.
And again, trying to debunk my opinion in a very disrespectful manner, saying that hers is more valid “since my child took one of their summer trips to Europe. (Did yours?)” obviously saying that anyone who hasn’t been on a P2P trip can’t have an opinion as valid as hers. As it turns out, we have used the P2P program, so I guess her sarcasm there backfired.
And again, “if you aren't a principal, employee, or retained
PR firm, you are one obsessed environmental biologist” simply for shielding off the attacks from someone who can’t debate without attacking.
And then again, “give my regards to John006a, …defending the fantabulousness of NSHSS” implying that we are a secret malicious group who meets to make knowingly false statements on this forum just to confuse people, rather than (“respectfully”) admitting the fact that there are people who don’t agree with the word “scam” in this situation.
So, MommaJ, Pittsmom and I want to respectfully ask you to stop resorting to unfounded accusations when you don’t have an educated argument to make. Thank you, Pittsmom, for bringing that to light.
Then you, Pittsmom, chimed in with the same attack tactic AFTER I said I had no affiliation, with "...perhaps [you are] a
PR flack for NSHSS???" still trying to discredit my opinion just because I disagree with the word "scam," both of you completely ignoring my earlier statements of my non-affiliation.
And again, “Others on this board have also tolerated your ‘cheerleading’” trying to reduce my opinion to a mere brainless cheerleading act, rather than replying, as you say, “respectfully.”
And again, “ALWAYS be skeptical of those professing to have no affiliation with a group [when they support that group]” once again implying that I am affiliated because of my opinion after I said I wasn’t.
And again, “You will gain nothing by participating in this organization - other than a chance at a lottery ticket - or being insulted by "alumni" like EmberC.”
- First, there are a lot of members who participate in the offered activities and have won scholarships who would completely disagree with that statement. You cannot make an all-inclusive statement like that without sound facts.
- And secondly, once again, professing my affiliation, contrary to my repeated attempts to assure you that I have none, but that I simply don’t see a “scam” here.
And again, tried to debunk my opinion further with your sarcastic "WOW! You aren't in any way affiliated with NSHSS, yet you called the headquarters to ask if the recipients are real or made up? Hmmmmmmm......" which was a complete misreading on your part, but completely rude, again.
Then again, from MommaJ, who finds it "very amusing" that she *thinks* you told me off because she didn’t take the time to read the posts either, where it turns out that you just misread what I said (again, thanks for the respect you claim MommaJ extended) and says that because I am defending my opinion, it confirms that it's a waste of money, which is not a valid argument at all. Right here is another example of your statement that “when one doesn't like the facts that are presented, s/he resorts to personal attacks.”
If you have any doubts as to how this started, go back and read the thread.
And yeah, my decimal was off. I corrected that in my next post, thank you for pointing it out. I do mean that, I like to have my mistakes corrected. However, it doesn't discredit the points I made. And now that it is corrected, you’re doing it again, trying to discredit all of my valid points due to one typo, rather than continue on “respectfully” with the issue. Again, I see your statement right here at work, “when one doesn't like the facts that are presented, s/he resorts to personal attacks”
So no, it is 100% false that I am the only one attacking anyone on here. The only difference is that I am big enough to admit that when pushed, I pushed back harder. I’d have more respect for you if you’d own your own actions and not try to climb up on some high horse after those actions to appear angelic to the new readers.
If you want to address finances again, let’s do it:
Having statistics are good, but knowing how to interpret them is better. In order to find out if the financials for this society are in line with others, we have to look at other organizations of the same type. I chose Golden Key because it is the most highly respected world-wide.
What are some of the other expenses that such a business might incur? Let's explore:
REVENUE:
Membership dues........................................$ 5,659,120 65%
• Member services.........................................$ 944,649 11%
• Corporate sponsorships contributions,
and contributions in kind............................$ 262,736 4%
• Royalties......................................... ............$ 1,434,700 16%
• Investment gains and losses
and interest income, net.............................$ 377,708 4%
• Other............................................. ..............$ 28,823 0%
• Net assets released from restrictions..........$ 127,155
TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUES.....................$ 8,834,891
PROGRAM EXPENSES:
• Student recognition.....................................$ 2,896,303 34%
• University activities....................................$ 1,867,338 22%
• Member benefits.........................................$ 1,735,781 21%
• Leadership/volunteer training.....................$ 914,783 11%
TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENSES............................$ 7,414,205 88%
That leaves 12%, which is broken down further, leaving a rough 5% for scholarships. NSHSS gives out a rough 3%, which to me does not jump out and scream discrepancy, especially due to the fact that Golden is much more established. Non-profits have to pay for other things as well, and as we have figured out, scholarships are not the #1 objective of any honor society, but rather activities and benefits, so stop focusing solely on scholarships. Giving out all monies in scholarships is a completely false expectation that you have decided honor societies must be made to adhere to, which never has been the sole objective.
