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October 30, 2022Nonprofit Star Quest Fundraising & Leadership Summit
October 30, 2022Nonprofit Rules & Ethics – The Scam That’s Killing Charities
Nonprofit Ethics – The Scam That’s Killing Charities exposes the deceptive practices national and state nonprofit associations engage in to line their pockets with monies stolen from well-intended charitable organizations. Here’s what Jackson Doggette, board member and legal counsel for National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE) has to say about this age old hustle.
The month of October is recognized across the charitable sector as “Ethics Month” which naturally poses the question, “are ethical codes important?”
On the face of it, many would say, “Yes, of course ethical codes are important” but therein lies the problem. The simplicity of the question invokes an involuntary unequivocal absolute “YES” without considering the atrocities that are peddled. Someone needs to ask,
- Are they necessary?
- Who’s writing these rules?
- Why have they been created?
- What is their purpose?
- Do they help or hurt?
Nonprofit Ethics – The Scam That’s Killing Charities
The truth is national organizations and state nonprofit associations have a long and storied history of passing down useless rules and regulations THAT DO NOTHING TO HELP NONPROFIT’S ACHIEVE THERE IMPORTANT MISSION.
Are They Necessary?
I promise you, nonprofit execs can be trusted to make upright decisions that protect themselves, donors and the organizations they serve. If you’re paying dues to be associated with a set of ethical codes save your dollars. Why? Because your learned in kindergarten that stealing was wrong. You grew up in a home that celebrates honesty as a virtue. You may have also learned the most historic ethical code of all time…
‘In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (NASB)
Who’s writing these rules?
- National Associations
- State Associations
- Sector Networks
- Industry Consultants
Why have they been created?
Why all the rules and regulations? The answer’s easy. National & state Associations, sector networks and industry consultants have run out of products. They have nothing else to offer. What’s the number one complaint attendees shared after participating at a nonprofit conference: “I learned a whole lot about many new things that don’t have anything to do with nonprofit management!”
What’s worse. This obsession with rules and regulations and the craziness it creates is so self-indulgent. Ethical codes are a sumptuous distraction. Wouldn’t you rather have meetings about rules (and rule breakers) than do the harder work of actually saving lives. Ethical codes and their deployment have become CODES OF IMMORALITY.
What is their purpose?
Take a peek at the newly written SOCIAL JUSTICE GLOSSARY FOR NONPROFITS. It will take your breath away. When you your done you’ll want to “download a Nonprofit Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege with ideas for “DEI” facilitation that can stimulate conversation and learning. After that, check out How to Begin Equity Work in Your Charity With Little or No Money or the newly released ‘Board Members Embracing Equity: Race Equity and Inclusion Action Guide.'”
Ethical Codes – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – DEI MUST DIE!
National & state nonprofit associations will direct you to spend TIME & MONEY on hiring a DEI expert. You see, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultancies always find the “racism” they’re looking for. If you hire a ghost hunter to inspect your home for ghosts, there’s a 100% chance they’ll find a poltergeist. Similarly, hire a DEI consultancy and they will assuredly find racism in your charity. Why? Because DEI starts with the assumption that all laws, policies and charitable institutions in America are racist to the core (i.e.“systemic racism”). Consequently, DEI consultancies always find what they have already decided is the basis for charity: racism, sexism and patriarchy, no matter the actual reality on the ground. Plus, DEI heads and consultancies don’t have a gig unless your nonprofit is racist.
Furthermore, like any manipulative, cultish belief system, DEI knows what’s in your heart. In this case, DEI knows you are biased, bigoted and only want to protect your power. You’re fallen, you see. And your salvation can only come by admitting you’re a racist – consciously or unconsciously. Like any cult, there is a fix: complete blind obedience to every edict of DEI from that point forward – i.e. you must become an “ally” and you must declare it publicly. But unlike Christianity, for instance, DEI is a works-based system, so you’re forever proving your piety.
But wait…there’s more! You won’t want to miss the nonprofit sectors newest fad Community Centric-Fundraising (CCF). How do these associations expect nonprofits to raise charitable dollars if their intent on replacing Capitalism with Marxism? Remember their mantra, “The only reason the nonprofit sector exists is to undo the sins that your donors caused in the first place.” Vu Le, charity’s self-proclaimed nonprofit Marxist, insists that charities must “treat donors as partners, and this means that you are transparent, and have difficult conversations with them regarding their Savior Complex.”
How does any of this hogwash advance your charitable mission? It doesn’t. DEI and CCF distracts you from improving the lives of the children, women, men and families you are called to serve.
I’m proud to share that NANOE’s board is NOT diverse! (Visit here to meet NANOE’s leadership) Instead, and by God’s Grace, we’ve attracted brilliant experts who give their lives to charity.
I no longer embrace the word ‘diversity’ as it is now defined. There is no skin-color, sexuality, religion or creed in NANOE’s economy. Our hallowed board of directors are comprised of sovereign individuals clothed in wisdom and courage each possessing the expert mind and gift of service our members expect and require. Diversity no longer plays a role in our mission to save and transform lives.
NANOE does not impose ethical codes. NANOE does not require you to swear and oath. Why? Because we trust you to be upright. We share our values and then invite you to receive what you truly need – FREEDOM. Freedom to re-imagine you and your cause in a ways you never dreamed possible.
VISIT HERE to review NANOE’s Value Statement
Ethical Codes – Rules to Use To Cancel You (And Your Nonprofit)
Here’s how one prominent national nonprofit used so called “ethical codes” to engage in unethical behavior. You see, a group of board members at the local chapter level were struggling with important decisions regarding their principles and direction. A vocal yet razor-thin majority of board members couldn’t figure out how to get rid of the board members with whom they disagreed. Month after month they couldn’t get their way so they contacted their national organization to figure out a way to get rid themselves of the razor-thin minority board members. The national team came up with a scheme to ensure they could pull this stunt off by colluding with national’s legal department to draft a new set of so-called “best practices.” These new rules and regulations were written in a manner that the minority board members could not in good conscious abide with or agree. The national organization then directed the majority to call a board meeting, propose a motion to codify and call for a vote. Of course the motion passed by a single vote and the letter that follows were mailed to individuals who withheld their signature:
Do They Help or Hurt?
I’m reminded of Louis Fawcett, President of NANOE, who recently shared, “paying dues for idealistic conversations about the way the world should be are luxuries entertained by those who want to avoid the world as it really is. The longer we chatter away about nothing, the longer the children and families who need our help suffer.” (VISIT HERE for entire article)
Finally, are ethical codes important? Yes, BUT if you don’t have any money HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY?” Our industry associations are driving nonprofits over a cliff. This ethics nonsense prevents organizations from doing the hard work of programs and fundraising. They’re fools who’ve forgotten about the donor. They’re driving givers away. You see, giving isn’t easy. It’s hard work and requires a tremendous amount of stewardship. Don’t forget the ancient philosopher who said,
“To give away money is an easy matter and in any man’s power.
But to decide to whom to give it and how large and when, and for
what purpose, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter.”
~Aristotle 360 B.C.
For those philanthropists who are as startled as I am by this deception allow me to propose a better view of nonprofit management. It’s an approach that will ensure the success of the charities in whom you invest. It goes something like this:
“Money is oxygen. Without it nonprofits can’t breathe. Money is more important than mission and donors are more important than clients, causes or people.”
Some may ask the question, “Bishop are you practicing Matthew 7:12 by writing such a scathing article?” Lord, I hope so. If you ever catch me hurting children and families shut me down. Tell the whole world and do everything you can to stop me.
In closing, I implore you to avoid the ethics scam. Spare your team members from heartache, division and destruction and instead RAISE MONEY TO CHANGE LIVES. Better yet, find a need and meet it. Make a promise and keep it.
Your Friend In All This,
Jackson Doggette
Co-Founder, National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives
Nonprofit Ethics – The Scam That’s Killing Charities was first posted at INSIDE CHARITY
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