Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with organizations

Should I join the D.A.R.

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:04:28 -0800

Is joining the D.A.R. worth it? Are there any cool benefits? Is it lame? I found out a couple of years ago that I have ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War, making me eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. I'm thinking of joining. They offer scholarships (though most don't require membership or anything), and supposedly it's a good way to network with other women. I plan on going into law, so I've been joining different organizations with hopes of meeting people for professional purposes.

However, I'm a very liberal person living in the south who comes from a blue-collar background (read: I don't have much money). I'm not sure if I'll fit in at all, or get to really network with anyone remotely like-minded. As in, I show up to the meeting and it's all conservative old bitties and wealthy "proper" southern girls. The racism in the D.A.R.'s past also concerns me. I've done some research and it seems that they truly don't discriminate at all but if anyone has found this not to be the case, I'd definitely like to know!

Obviously, if I don't like it, I can quit. But it costs money to join, and I want membership to be worth it.

Any personal experiences are appreciated.

I want to hire someone to turn on my air conditioning too

Popular Ethics — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:58:35 -0800

Who are the world's largest employers? Googling the question just gives me Forbes 500 lists and the like, which only rank companies by dollar value. I'm more interested in people value. This article suggests that the Indian Railway employs 2.4 million employees, which is double Wallmart's payroll. Are there (or have there been) larger?

____'s Law of Bureaucracy?

lunit — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:01:48 -0800

Obscure political science filter: What is the name of the political science/urban studies law [___'s Law] of bureaucracy that states that, over time, agencies have a tendency/need to invest much of their energy and resources into sustaining themselves, often at the cost of more completely and directly fulfilling their original missions? I took a class on City Politics awhile back and this concept was introduced to us as "____'s Law" of organizations (or bureaucracy?).

I know it's obscure, but any help would be much appreciated! My google-fu is failing me. Thanks!

I want to call her...but I don't know how...to use a phone

parmanparman — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:03:42 -0800

About a month ago, I began producing a daily one-hour radio show on environmentalism, sustainable living, and the common good. Putting the show every day is a challenge for a variety of reasons, but one of the hardest parts has been trying to find news to report and the experts to make these reports possible. Please help me! I am looking to join mailing lists and also liaise with academics/advocates/activists/industry experts and so on about important environmental and sustainable living issues. If you know of groups I NEED to know about, or ways to access experts, I would appreciate your feedback.

How many organizations are fading away due to a generation gap?

czechmate — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:04:19 -0800

How many organizations are fading away due to a generation gap? My mom went to a Knights of Columbus bingo game the other day and commented on how old everyone is (she's a spring chicken at 67 apparently) and she was the youngest in the group.
So it got me thinking.. how many organizations like this fade away because of a generational gap or lack of interest? I know military organizations for veterans and the like have seen a sharp decline, but are there others like them also declining? Also, with the abundant popularity of online groups.. is this the death of meetings held in buildings once a month or will they just have meet-ups every blue moon?
It just seems like we're losing an institution. However, I could just be blowing things out of proportion just from one simple comment my mom made.

Recommendations for International Group Alterna-Trips

bwilms — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:42:41 -0800

I’m looking for organizations/agencies that arrange group international travel. Recently a Belgian colleague of mine told me of a trip he took to Dakar, Senegal, with a group of 18-35 year olds. The trip was arranged by a Belgian expatriate and she saw to it that they saw the “real” lives of Dakar citizens and surround them in the local culture. They stayed in very modest accommodations, without luxury. This intrigued me and has made me interested in similar travel opportunities.

I am a single, 26 year old, American male with a corporate job that gives me two weeks vacation. Being that I’m by myself, and don’t have friends with vacation time, I’ve always had a hard time deciding what to do with my vacation time. I’m not really interested in traveling someplace to experience it alone. So, being part of a group of similar aged people would be ideal.

I’m very open to almost any destination and have a flexible budget. I’m not looking for a standard touristy, “get on the bus to see the next site” type of tour. I would seriously consider donating my time to a charitable organization of sorts, but would ideally like to avoid political and/or religious based programs. For what it’s worth I have traveled internationally a few times (so I have some experience) and am only fluent in English.

I appreciate any information you can provide me; experiences you’ve had, organizations you or friends have been involved with in the past, links you can pass on, etc. I’ve read and bookmarked these threads, but I am interested in seeing what other options are out there. Thanks in advance.

Know of any outstanding animal rights groups?

shoos — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 19:32:21 -0800

I'd like to provide some support to one or more animal rights organizations. I'm trying to find groups that use methods that aren't violent or alienating, but are focused on publicizing mistreatment and promoting legal means of preventing cruelty. Are there any groups that are doing a particularly good job of this?

Tracking down a Mason

divka — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 15:03:50 -0800

Is there a way to find out if someone was a Freemason? I have limited information, unfortunately. There were Mason-related items in my grandfather's personal items, but there aren't any family members who can fill me in about whether or not he actually was a Mason.

I'm not even sure about which state's or city's lodge he might have been associated with, since he lived in several different places. Even if I knew, I'm not sure how willing the lodge would be to answer this question.

What, exactly, are the Masons and Shriners?

robbie01 — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 15:47:32 -0800

What, exactly, are the Masons and Shriners? A fraternal organization? Secret society? Religious cult? Charity fund-raisers? Community organization? To be honest I've always been a little creeped out by these groups, but since I don't much about them I don't know why that is. They don't seem very secrative, what with posting their logos on city welcoming signs wherever they have a chapter. But their buildings always seem so spooky.. tinted glass, no signage to speak of.. doesn't seem very inviting or sociable. Are the Shriners and Masons related? About the only dealings I have had with Shriners are having them show me where to park at county fairs. But what's the point of joining the group? Any benefit? How would one join? And are "Free" Masons different? I understand they've been around awhile..