This post just boggled my mind....
 
>I even had someone email me last year asking why the shelter I volunteer
>with didn't take the time to send her a thank you note.  That she found
>it "rude" :-/ !!!???>>
 
Yes, it is rude.  And I hope you thanked her for her gift instead of
accusing her of egomania and ignorance.
 
Sorry but, thanking a gift-giver has been basic, accepted etiquette for
millennia.  If you don't thank someone, it's rude.
 
A lot of us are horribly busy people.  More so than ever.  More of us
have less cash than ever.  I work up to 16 hours a day.  I work every day
of the week and most holidays.  I have two young kids and two ferrets, am
on the board of directors of two community organizations, made two trips
to Louisiana for animal rescue and hurricane relief, and still found time
to send thank you notes to everyone who gave me supplies or cash to take
to the Katrina victims.  They didn't have to give to me; they could have
sat home and clicked an icon on the HSUS website.  Instead, they went out
and bought food, cages, leashes and toys; they looked around their house
for extra blankets and towels, and they went to Home Depot or wherever to
buy a gift card for a shelter in Louisiana.  They didn't have to do any
of that - and they didn't do it because they have big egos that need to
be stroked.
 
After volunteering in a place like Lamar-Dixon in Gonzales, La. with
2,400 rescued animals, and later, caring for a couple dozen sick, starved
and badly traumatized dogs at a New Orleans rescue complex, I have even
more respect and admiration for the incredibly long, hard workdays - and
the emotional roller coaster - that shelter operators endure every day of
their lives.
 
But when a person who has given their time, money and love, who worked
who knows how long to earn the money they donated, then chose a ferret
(or 2, or 4) from the tree, went shopping, chose gifts, boxed them up
and stood in line at the post office, do you honestly think it's OK if
all that effort and caring is ignored?
 
And you consider it RUDE of them to wonder if their gift even arrived????
 
Look how many shelters took a few seconds to post a simple thank-you on
this board for the Thanksgiving cards and gifts they received.  If you
don't think their donors feel good, and will likely give again, you are
mistaken.
 
>... what is the issue?  Is it that they won't respond when you're asking
>specifics about what to get?  Or do you want them to make sure they know
>the ferret is getting something?  And that it's from YOU?
 
I am appalled that you would imply a person's ego is the motivation.
 
>I think we need to remember that this is all about giving.  It's not for
>you to get recognition, it's not a "favor" you're doing for the shelter.
 
Actually, it is a favor.  Nobody is obligated to give anything.  They're
certainly not obligated to give to any particular shelter.  There are
dozens more that are equally in need.  There are hundreds of dozens of
worthy organizations in desperate need of money and supplies.  How do
you choose between one or the other?
 
Do you choose the one you KNOW appreciates your time and effort?
 
Because of Katrina, a lot of non-profs have seen their donations drop.
Millions of Americans poured their hearts (and wallets) out to Katrina
victims and don't have much left over.  People who normally give aren't
giving, or are giving less than usual.  It's more important than ever
to acknowledge the person who chose YOU over everybody else.
[Posted in FML issue 5092]