Primark versus Poundland
Mark Astarita, chair of the Institute of Fundraising, got in touch last week to say there was an inaccuracy in our story about his comments at the launch of an IoF-sponsored report, Managing in the New Normal.
In his speech, Astarita bemoaned a “Primark” culture, which has driven down what people consider a generous gift, as well as a decreasing pool of donors for charities to rely on. But now, it appears, he feels we haven't accurately reflected his views.
It’s not infrequent for a prominent figure to make a controversial pronouncement and try to row back later, but that’s not the usual form with Astarita, who is to be congratulated for his willingness to speak his mind.
What, then, did Astarita feel had been misinterpreted?
He didn’t mean Primark, apparently. He meant Poundland.
"I quite like Primark," Astarita wrote.
Payment before, during and after results
The NCVO produced an interesting take on the whole government service delivery debate last week, when its latest report suggested that payment by results contracts should include an element of payment up-front.
Respectfully we would suggest there is a problem with this proposal. The clue is in the name.
The attack of the chugging Scouts
It's a terrifying prospect: the Scouts have launched a fundraising badge. Any minute now we'll have woggle-clad chuggers taking to the streets with clipboards in hand, telling us it's time to dyb-dyb-dyb our hands in our pockets, and that just £3 a month can save a local troop.
Mind you, it might be a step up from packing your bag in the local supermarkets, where customers find themselves donating their change for the privilege of finding their loaf of bread squashed beneath the weight of that pint of milk.
Miller blamed for poor calendar sales
The events surrounding the resignation of Maria Miller, the former Culture Secretary, have already cost her a few bob. But she's had to stick her hand back in her pocket again after sales of a charity calendar with her picture on the front stopped dead.
The calendar, compiled by underemployed musician Brian James, featured a dozen of the most famous faces ever to emerge from, er, Basingstoke, where Miller is the MP.
Now he's written to Miller to demand she stump up the money which they should have raised for BBC Children in Need. Miller, it appears, has coughed up £250.
Society Diary can’t help but question whether this drop in sales is really down to her resignation, or the fact that it is now almost May.
