ALS Association chapters throw cold water on national move to take them over, seize assets
One by one the major health organizations such as the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society have taken advantage of their loose legal ties with their local state offices to consolidate them – in some cases acquiring or firing staff, closing and consolidating state offices, changing program focus, and showing volunteers the door. The stated overall goal is to turn the organizations into leaner and meaner fundraising machines – de-emphasizing programs, and eliminating the time consuming effort of training and managing a core base of volunteers. In many ways, the success has been seen in millions more raised – if that money is given over to research then the ends may be said to justify the means. But if even part of it goes to lining the pockets of management, questions can be raised. Betting on volunteers losing the enthusiasm to pursue the issue through advocacy among themselves, with medical groups, and legally, seems to be a good bet, ...