Well, actually, a bunch of questions, and its about fund raising.
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\nIf memory serves (memory enhanced by little birds that tell me things), it is in the fall that many Sciencebloggers engage in the DonorsChoice 2009 fund raising effort.<\/p>\n
Last year was my first opportunity to do this, having joined scienceblogs during the previous effort rather than before. I chose to not engage in this activity last year for a few reasons, but mainly because of the election. I assumed that there were limited funds “out there” (in YOUR pockets) and I felt that if I was going to push for people dropping silver one one cause or another it was going to have to be political, given the dire circumstances.<\/p>\n
I think I was right to do that, and via this blog a certain amount of money was raised for Michele Bachmann’s opponent, for Al Franken, and for the DNCCC, as well as some other specific candidates around the country. Also, many of you may have been reminded, encouraged, or convinced to donate your time here and there.<\/p>\n
So, the question I have now is this: Do I engage in the DonorsChoice09 fund raising effort or not? You’all as a group probably know more about it than I do. The fact that it has been going for a few years may mean that there are other alternatives that are better (this often happens in specific fund raising genre).<\/p>\n
If I’m going to start (mildly) haranguing you for money, I want it to be something most, or at least many, of you would support.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, if I do engage in DonorsChoice09, would you participate? Finally, what projects should I chose to support and how do we do that, in your opinion?<\/p>\n
I should warn you that I’m likely to try to develop a project in my own back yard somewhere. For instance, I have one school in mind that is always strapped for cash, has excellent science teachers, would spend the money effectively, and that would serve a generally undeserved community. But I’m in no way committed to that, and I’d love to hear about other possible projects, especially those in the Greater Twin Cities.<\/p>\n