I would say the MS Society because my father has MS and he is home all the time, so with research to help them, people who are disabled and stay home can be able to work at home all the time.  My father if he had the right skills could spend so much time researching and doing online businesses.

Hey Chris,  I just caught up with this thread and it has really went off course.  The original intention is a good one and it shouldn't be abandoned.  Give me a minute first.

First things first, there are matters of genuine concern in this thread and it would be good for those people wanting fast and quick answers to post those questions in the appropriate place.  That way, the right attention and emphasis would be placed on them instead of focusing on housekeeping and causing confusion.  Gene, please don't take this thread to a different direction either.  Hold your thoughts and talk about them at http://acme-people-search-forum.com/for … the-above/.  Initially, you wanted to do that anyways.

I think Tissa's idea was to have people create campaigns of their own to let people with disabilities know about the people search engine and how it could be an alternative choice of work from home instead of working in a normal job. 

That does not mean it's not a good idea to have a charity AWD GDI account which sponsors could flip at will to generate donations for the cause.  This could be done during special holidays like Easter,  Indpendence day, thanksgiving and Xmas.

Another idea is a donation form that is setup which people could submit to Tissa prior to a specific payout period to contribute a  particular amount  of their pay or percentage of their earnings to the cause.  Tissa would have to keep track of the total amount and post updates from time to time on it.  When a certain amount is reached, then the total could amount could be donated to a charity like http://www.wid.org/.

I think a good name for this charity is "Affiliates Living With Disabilities Fund".

Milton

Gene,

I agree.  I think it will help a lot of people in the long term and it continues to build legitimacy that affiliate marketing is a real job

I guess at this point we need to hear from Tissa about the next steps.  He'll have to setup a 501(c)(3) and I'm sure there are some other legal aspects that will have to be addressed.

If the community is set to roll with the idea then why don't we start with a little contest to name the charity.

-Chris

Exactly.  Starting an "Affiliates with Disabilities Fund" or charity is an awesome idea, but setting up a 501(c)(3) organization is no simple task.  It can be done (and I don't mind doing it) but it takes time, and there are indeed several legal considerations.  For example:

http://startacharity.org/2008/10/28/tak … anization/

So what I propose is this: For now, why don't I create a sub-form dedicated to ongoing discussions about this charity/fund/donations idea?  I can also use it to keep everyone updated on my progress towards creating a 501(c)(3) organization, if that's what we decide to do.  (It will take some time, considering all the new program features and enhancements I'm still working on ;-)

While that effort is underway, let's return to suggesting existing charities to Chris.  I want to make sure that the $1,000 is donated as promised, and put to good use sooner than later!  In that regard, I have another suggestion: Kiva.  They're a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and I've been active with them for a while.

In many ways I think Kiva will be perfect, since Kiva focuses on loans to entrepreneurs around the world who want to lift themselves out of poverty (like many affiliates LOL!)  This is micro-lending; we're talking about loans like $25, which to many people around the world can make a WORLD of difference.  And with $1,000 to loan, think about how many people we could help!  Because these are repaid loans, over time we could continue to loan that $1,000 to many more aspiring entrepreneurs.

It gets even better: With Kiva, you can create lending "teams".  We would all be part of the same team, representing Acme People Search.  As team members, all of us would be able view all loans we (and I) have made, and to whom.  Chris would have final say on all borrowers, though knowing Chris, I'm sure he would be open to suggestions from our community.  (There are many borrowers to choose from, depending on who strikes a chord with you personally...)  However Chris chooses to handle it, I would donate $1,000 to an assortment of borrowers, in the name of all Acme People Search affiliates

Here are some links:

Kiva's Web site:

http://www.kiva.org/

Press coverage:

http://www.kiva.org/about/press/

My lender page and the loans I've made in the past:

http://www.kiva.org/lender/tissa

Info about Lending Teams:

http://www.kiva.org/community

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=help&a … ndingTeams

An "Acme People Search" team page I just created:

http://www.kiva.org/team/acmepeoplesearch

Whadya think folks?

Tissa

me again............wow.........wow........wow!!!!! Tissa you never cease to amaze me. You have lent out to such wonderful groups as the food group in Ghana!!!! I APPLAUD YOU TISSA!!!!!

And I think that integrating acme within Kiva as your last link demonstrated is just SUPER!!!!! WTG TISSA!!!!! You prove to us over and over why we should feel blessed to be here!!!!
Absolutely spectacular idea!!!
Nadine

Ha!  Tissa, that might have been your best one yet!

I think Kiva is another excellent suggestion.  I'm a huge a fan of micro-lending. 

This would allow the entire community to participate and we could get a lot of bang-for-the-buck when outstanding loans are repaid and then the money could be reissued to new entrepreneurs.  Plus it fits into the entrepreneurial spirit of this community.

What do you think, folks?

Tissa, at this point could we just get a contest going to name our main charity so we can start referring to it by name even though it won't be technically established until you can jump through the hoops and deal with all the red tape?  When we do start this do you think GDI would allow us to setup a GDI account for the sake of the charity?  How cool would that be to build residual income for the charity!  Also, I was thinking maybe we could talk to Kyle and Carson and see if they could help us out by donating discounted memberships for training?  Maybe we could apply the referral commission to the cost of membership?

-Chris

Hi Maggie,
Do just that answer the postings in the forum therefore helping peoople. There are many things you can answer, just spend some time here. 
Herb

Maggie, this is not the thread to post this.  You can post at http://acme-people-search-forum.com/for … advertise/. 

Milton

Yea sure, shes been at it for awhile in this forum. Anyhow I agree with the charitable situation. either way it could start something big and help everyone see the power of what online community's can do. These things are like union but without the laws and regulations, except for terms of services.lol

I've created a new thread for krownsman's situation and see what this community do.  Please see below link.

Life or death situation here

Milton

Given the fact that I saw what the other negative post was, I felt you were thinking my intentions were to post damaging info.  As I said, that wasn't my intent, and again I did say that I believe the program will work.  Choice of words will turn a positive conversation or statement into one of conflict or confusion.  Simple minded with money goes to the perception that you were not being considerate of the urgency of my situation because you didn't know.   Therefore, when such an urgent matter comes into play, forgive me, but protocol goes out the window.  Surely, you understand. Anyway, I appreciate the apology, I believe it goes to show the sincerity of the community and its members that are really trying to succeed or are succeeding with this one of a kind opportunity. 

You're ok in my book, and I hope I am with you. 

Thanks for the understanding.  May you prosper continually.

Thank you! You're totally ok in my book, too!

I really do hope everything works out well for you. My father is on the list to receive a Kidney, so I kind of understand the urgency.

Thank you for the kind words. I wish the best to your success as well.

Peace!
-Mike

Alright, everyone, let's get down to business.  Start picking some worthy candidates on Kiva.org and we'll start loaning out some money.  I was thinking we could start with 10 entrepreneurs @ $100 each.

-Chris

I just registered in KIVA.

Shall I write my life story there?

Thanks guys !