“COMMUNITY CHEST”

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 269, 10 August 1938, Page 10

“COMMUNITY CHEST”

Co-ordinated Charitable Giving

SYSTEM USED OVERSEAS

How the scheme to co-ordinate charitable contributions for essential services, known as the “Community Chest," operates in overseas countries was explained to the public affairs and publicity group of the Wellington Junior Chamber of Commerce yesterday by Mr. Victor C. Jones, general secretary of the Wellington Young Men’s Christian Association.

The.chairman of the junior chamber and of the group, Mr. H. C. Sidford, presided over an attendance of 2a membG Mr. Jones said that the “Community Chest” was being largely used in the United States of America, and to a lesser extent in South Africa, England and Australia. The scheme had been adopted because many people who had contributed for years to charitable societies had felt that there had been a good deal of wastage through overlapping. It was also desired to eliminate the Intense competition which bad been carried on for so many years for charitable funds. In the past 30 or 40 societies had been frequently buttonholing the public, and many canvassers had gone about soliciting funds. The “Community Chest” was operated by a sympathetic and informed executive elected by the community. It decided which societies were worthy of support from the commercial fund. Instead of the holding of numerous street collecting days, the whole community was harnessed to a short, intense campaign for the collection of funds for charity, and the money collected was allocated to the various societies by the executive. Budgets were carefully scrutinised. Air. Jones said he had taken part in a “Comnwinity Cli-est” effort at Honolulu, a town which haa a population of a few thousands fewer than that of Wellington, and they had set out to raise 550,000 dollars. “I think there is something inherently lacking in an educational structure which does not instil into us a consciousness of the need to help essential social services in the community,” Air. Jones proceeded. “In America this is taught in the schools, and the people of that country are consequently char-ity-minded.” Nevertheless, many benefactors in America had been heard to exclaim, .“I am sick and tired of writing cheques; siok and tired of saying no; and I am not sure where my money is going.” .AVlien a community chest was instituted, the difficulty of who was to be included and who not included was met with; but the scheme was to give equal recognition to essential community services. Any society which was contributing to the welfare of the community, and which was not subsidised, was assured of a grant from the communal chest. The scheme developed higher institutional standards, more careful expenditure, a better qualified personnel, social consciousness and coordination of social work. Why, lie asked, should social work be compel itive? Some charitable societies did not want to die, although they should have been dead years ago. “I am not sure that this is the idea for AVellington,” Air. Jones concluded, “but the scheme awakens the community to the job which is (being done, and the job which requires to -be done.” In reply to questions, Air. Jones said that indiscriminate appeals for charity could not be prevented, but if the “Community Chest” scheme was in operation, anyone approached for a subscription could say, “I am sorry, but. I contribute to the Community Chest.” Air. Sidford, in thanking Air. Jones for his address, said that be had given the group much food for thought. It was decided to adjourn discussion upon the subject to next (week’s meeting.