Here A Tuk, There A Tuk, Everywhere A Tuk Tuk

E-I-E-I-O!   This is not about farms or animals, but that children’s song somehow popped into my head when I was thinking about titles.  The parts that sing of the ‘everywhereness’ of the sounds of animals is actually relevant.   In this case the animal is that mode of transportation called a tuk tuk because of the sound emitted by the  2-stroke engines that originally powered them.  During a summer trip, I saw tuk tuks everywhere in the streets of Chiang Mai, Thailand.  With tongue in cheek,  I imagined the sight, sound and use of a tuk tuk here at home.

For transporting passengers in southeast Asian cities, the tuk tuk is king of the road.  It was interesting to watch these things buzz through and around traffic, almost like ants moving effortlessly around obstructions in their path.   Kansas City is not quite the bustling metropolis with congested streets like cities where tuk tuks are everywhere, but we do have passengers that need to be transported from point A to point B.  Might be more cost effective to use some tuk tuks between the airport terminals and remote airport parking lots.  Every time I make that trip, it's on a giant bus with a handful of people.  Oops I forgot about where the luggage would go!  Well, how about this one?   I was recently at a Kemper Arena event and had to park a country mile away.  A cab would have certainly been overkill but it would have been convenient to hop in a tuk tuk and whiz to my car. 

Maybe Congress would allow the postal service to use tuk tuks for mail delivery savings since they mandated six-day delivery instead of cutting to five.   Since it's more economical and the sides are open like the mail trucks, tuk tuks could save money.  Plus, there are only three wheels on a tuk tuk, less tire maintenance.  It might not offer enough storage for all the mail on the route, but that wouldn’t be a problem if they could just leave all the junk mail at the facility!  Most of the mail I get doesn’t even make it into the house, the recycle bin gets it before I go in the door.  Maybe Congress will help the postal service move to electronic delivery of junk mail so I can push the delete button and not have to fill up my recycle bin.  Then I would look forward to getting important mail and packages from my tuk tuk driving mailman.    

Trips to the grocery store or other neighborhood destinations could be made in a tuk tuk.  They are much more fuel efficient than my SUV.  After shopping at the night market in Thailand, three of us crawled in the back bench seat for the short trip to our hotel.  For a minute I thought I was on an amusement park ride, but we arrived safely and none of our Thai bargains got flung onto the street.  Of course if I had to drive myself in a tuk tuk, it just wouldn’t be the same.   Perhaps personal ownership of a tuk tuk wouldn’t be that practical, but as a delivery vehicle, the uses are endless.

Tuk tuks are used on golf courses in many countries.  Don't know if it could become a common sight here.   Couldn't be the sputtering tuk tuk like the one I was in.  That just wouldn't work on a golf course.   Serious golf is very quiet and I’ve known a golfer to be thrown off just by the rattling of a snack being opened.  But for hackers, we might enjoy the novelty of driving a tuk tuk from hole to hole, or even seeing colorful, decorated ones carrying refreshment on the back nine!

And now the BBB angle.   Yes, some tuk tuk drivers are working a scam!  According to many travel advisory websites, Bangkok tuk tuk scams are quite the menace.  I don’t know if we get many complaints on cabbies or local transportation companies or not, but in Thailand, consumer protection is not like what we know here and there certainly is no BBB equivalent.   Without a doubt, it’s tuk tuk traveler beware!

It’s not totally absurd to think about how tuk tuks could be used in KC.  Tuk Tuk North America was granted DOT and EPA approval in 2009.   In 2012, a Charleston, SC local entrepreneur had an idea for their use, but city officials were against it.  The idea was also posed as food for thought in a post of the Economy League of Philadelphia.   We don’t have the climate of Charleston so a tuk tuk ride in January could be breezy, but it wouldn't be much  different than a horse drawn carriage on the Plaza as far as feeling winter temperatures.   Also, we don't have the tourist draw of Philadelphia, though I'm sure some would argue that point, but we do have tourists.   However, with recent voter approval of funding, our newest mode of transportation will be streetcars on Main Street downtown.   So it will be a while before tuk tuks are everywhere in Kansas City, but who knows when you might see one here or there.

Why Secret Santa Got The Boot at the BBB

For more than 20 years during the holidays, the BBB of Greater Kansas City staff has enjoyed two annual traditions;  one being a holiday party for staff and kids, where our President and CEO, David Buckley adorns himself with Santa attire from the chin up, the other being that mystery gift exchange system called Secret Santa.  This year the party went off as planned with our white-bearded fearless leader passing out candy and tending to the wishes of little ones.  The Secret Santa gift exchange got the boot!

The staff thought it would be a good idea to take the dollars usually spent on gifts, that sometimes end up re-gifted, and use them toward a volunteer project for charity.  We wanted to be able to serve a meal and it was important to support one of our accredited charities.   The Share-A-Meal volunteer program of City Union Mission filled the bill.  The $20 each staff member normally spent for the gift exchange was donated to cover the cost of a meal for 100 people.  The online volunteer application was submitted and we promptly received thorough instruction and information as to the when, where and how of our service.

On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, our staff piled in two cars headed for the Family Life Center, a residential facility for homeless families or single women.  We stepped in the door to receive a warm welcome as we signed in.

The short trek through the hallway landed us in a spacious, clean kitchen where Beryl was expecting us.  In her apron and hairnet, she graciously welcomed us and began to explain what needed to be done.  Beryl’s manner was kind and easy-going, the perfect match for us.

Even though there were guidelines in place for our service, we had some options, like deciding who was going to do what.  There were the responsibilities of making punch, getting ice and wrapping utensils in napkins.  Only four were allowed to work in the kitchen which was not an issue for us since we have a few people not in love with culinary arts except for consumption!  The rest of us assumed duty in the dining area.  We also had the option to serve the residents or make it cafeteria style.  We chose to be waiters and waitresses, thinking of it as a nice expression of our service.

Once we got over how dreadful we looked in hairnets, we could focus on the tasks at hand, the first of which was to get the food items arranged for serving plates.  First was lettuce, tomato, meat, bread and chips.  Apples and chocolate chip cookies took up residence at the end of the line.  With punch made, ice, cups and utensils in place, and a few trays ready, we waited for hungry people.

At first we were probably a little clumsy, just like at a brand new restaurant where the ordering, cooking and service might be a little out of sync!  But, we were able to get in our groove with the mechanics of it.  The experience then evolved into a labor of love as we tried to make sure everyone got what they needed with a smile, something that may not happen often for these folks outside the care of City Union Mission.

The Family Life Center houses 75 to 80 people a night who, for whatever reason, are homeless.  The center provides a 30 day stay and 3 meals a day, as well as educational classes in the morning.  After 30 days, room must be made for others to come in and there is a 60 day wait before anyone can return.  These few facts begin to paint a picture of life for those who find themselves homeless and relying on City Union Mission for assistance.  Though the picture is not the prettiest, the BBB staff saw plenty reason for hope that day.

BBB accredited businesses and charities commit to standards that create a marketplace of trust.  We all want to trust that people in organizations will do what is right, what is in the best interest of those from whom they receive patronage or support and those they serve.  During our short time volunteering, we saw those principles at work.  We saw caring employees concerned for residents through hugs, through an atmosphere of smiles, chatter and relationship.  We saw a culture of responsibility because residents had duties and housekeeping assignments.  We saw cleanliness, order and mutual respect.  On top of all that, we truly enjoyed our time there. It is safe to say that we will not miss the annual gift exchange, we have lots of fun at the office without it.

The BBB volunteer tradition is now established and we look forward to our 2013 project. It may not even be during the end of year holiday season. It's no secret that volunteerism falls off after the holidays, so we may look to lend our time in another month besides November or December. City Union Mission expressed a need for help in the summer when many people are enjoying vacations.

Traditions may come or go, and holiday spirit may subside in January, but the joy derived from service to others is seasonless and so is the need for assistance in our community. March is not too early or too late to see how you can usher in a new tradition of giving to support our K C nonprofit community, even if it means giving the boot to something else!

The Oldest & Most Experienced Charity Evaluator

Guest Blogger:

Jim Judge of Judge Evaluation Services 

Former Director of Charity Accreditation for the St. Louis BBB

When people think of the Better Business Bureau, they usually think of a place you go to file complaints or check out a company before you do business with them.  You may not realize that the BBB is also the nation’s oldest and most experienced charity evaluator!  With the merger of the BBB Philanthropic Advisory Service and the National Charities Information Bureau in 2001, the resulting entity, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance has more than 100 years of experience evaluating charities. 

Another little known fact is that the BBB is also the largest charity evaluator in the United States.  Our national office reports on 1,300 nationally soliciting organizations and local BBBs report on another 10,000 local and regional charities.  More impressively, the BBB evaluates charities using its 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.  These Standards do much more than look at the financial statements and issue a “rating.”  Sure, we look at the financial statements, but we also look at the governance and oversight of the organization, we verify certain policies and procedures are in place, and we review websites and solicitation materials for accuracy.  You can find more information on the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability here:  http://www.bbb.org/us/Standards-Charity/    

Something else that sets the BBB process apart is that we work with charities to assist them in meeting the Standards they miss.  This personal attention exemplifies the difference between the BBB and other third party evaluators.  The BBB’s goal is to help organizations build their own capacity to effectively achieve their mission and serve their clients.  The Standards we use are a set of best practices that can assist organizations in becoming stronger and the reports we create give organizations a way to show potential donors that they go above and beyond what is legally required in disclosure and transparency.  BBB reports are available to donors free of charge and the BBB does not charge charities for an evaluation.

But, make no mistake, the BBB is also a watchdog and we are here to ensure that the organizations that do not deserve donations are spotlighted.  Each year the BBB system issues warnings about local charities that donors should be wary of.  By doing this we are helping funnel money away from the unethical operators and back to the organizations that deserve it most.   

Whether you are an individual donor, business owner, or cyber-sleuth, BBB charity reports serve as an unbiased resource to assist in making wise giving decisions.  If you are a charity, a BBB charity evaluation is worth its weight in gold.  Meeting the detailed standards of a national organization with the name recognition of the BBB can only help you in the eyes of your potential donors, while making your organization stronger!

Visit www.give.org for more information.  If you are a Kansas City region nonprofit, the first step toward accreditation is registration: http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/register/Default.aspx?BureauID=0674

Jim Judge provides services to BBB's across the country and can be reached at:
 (888) 253-3385 or jim@judgeevaluations.com

The Blankin' Blog

As Director of Charity Review, I am supposed to share the responsibility of writing blog content with my colleague, Aaron Reese.  I was informed about this before I got the job in April but didn’t anticipate developing a debilitating case of writer’s block.  I thought the words would flow easily, but every time I came up with a subject, the page just seemed to stay blank.  The blankin’ blog soon became the last priority on my list of to-do’s.  Everything else about my new job, fill in the blank, was much less intimidating.

The folks here at the Better Business Bureau are very cool, I really enjoy my job and want to keep it, so I figured I'd better get rolling.   It was not for lack of ideas that the blogs didn’t materialize, but lack of ideas that I thought would be engaging and appropriate.  I wasn’t sure about the approach, how much personal opinion, how much business, or how long.  So, I thought it best to take a step back, do some reading and clearly identify the purpose of the blog in my own mind.
 

There was of course no lack of information and opinions about what to do in the blogosphere, but I ended up with some basics to get me going and confirmation to promote our charity review program. Promote the charity review program as Director of Charity Review? Duh! Seems like an obvious goal, but  based on my reading, a blog could take quite a few different directions.  I'm sticking with the obvious.

It is important that the public know the BBB evaluates charities against a set of highly respected standards and they can contact us about charities as well as about roofers and plumbers, etc.  It’s important for charities to know that in addition to reporting on scams, we are working to serve as a resource for the K.C. nonprofit community and that BBB charity accreditation is valuable for their fundraising and marketing efforts.   So, finding unique ways to share the work of charities and their impact in Kansas City, with some BBB perspective included here and there will be the goal.

On December 18th, the BBB staff sponsored and served a meal at the Family Center of City Union Mission.  City Union Mission is one of our accredited charities.  We learned some things and truly enjoyed our time there.  The picture posted on our Facebook page got quite a few hits.  Sharing more about the experience will create some good content, so that will be the topic of the February post.

Sprinkling a little personal touch around will help keep it interesting.  For example, my trip to Thailand in July was surely a source of inspiration.  Between the tuk tuks, architecture and night market there should be no blanking out when it comes time to put words to paper (or on the screen).   Passion for music and the arts was inspiration for the one blog I did write that also spoke to the work of KCVLAA, a charity providing access to legal and accounting services to artists.  Songwriting and recording, a current personal project for a charity, will be covered in April.

Beginning in 2013, there will be regular posts from the charity review side of the BBB.  Now that I have topics lined up and a plan in place, I’m prepared, looking forward to being a regular contributor and to having plenty of content to fill in the blankin’ blog!

Attorney General Charges Photographer in Scam

According to a press release issued by the Missouri Attorney General's office, local photographer Mario Antoine has been charged with ten felony counts of stealing by deceit and unlawful merchandising practices in relation to his wedding photography business, Imagine Photo KC.

Imagine Photo KC has had an F-rating with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Kansas City since September 2010, only a month after the business's first complaints arrived at the BBB. The Better Business Bureau provided materials and assistance to the Attorney General's investigation of the company.

According to the November 29 press release, "Antoine was arrested today by the Kansas City Police Department and is being held on a $25,000 bond.  Antoine faces up to seven years in prison and $20,000 fine for each of the four stealing by deceit counts and up to four years in prison and $20,000 fine for each of the six unlawful merchandising practices counts."

Supporting Emerging Charities

The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit focused on advancing marketplace trust and that focus extends to charities.  The BBB of Greater Kansas City Charity Review Program evaluates local charities based on a framework of 20 accountability standards that cover governance, finances, informational materials and effectiveness.   http://www.bbb.org/us/standards-for-charity-accountability/ These standards help put the information charities are providing into context and make it easier for donors to make wise giving decisions. 

Charities that meet all 20 standards are certainly to be applauded and deserve support.   We are working to promote these standards and encourage non-profits to work towards implementing any operational and policy changes required to meet them.  By contacting more and more charities that are interested in acquiring BBB charity accreditation, our reporting database will most certainly grow.   Also, the more we receive inquiries from the public about particular charities, our reporting database will grow.    http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/kansas/

However, there are often emerging grass roots organizations out there that may not yet be in a position to meet all 20 standards.  They may not be household names or agencies that meet the more urgent social service needs.  They may not have staff or budgets for marketing.  These are also deserving of support, whether through volunteer efforts or donation.

I found one such organization in KCVLAA www.kcvlaa.org (Kansas City Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts.)  I am passionate about music and the arts.  I want to see artists and musicians thrive in Kansas City.   I don’t like that Nashville, New York and L.A. are considered the ‘music markets’.   Of course technology has opened up a world of opportunity for artists to become independent, but that’s another conversation.  I happened upon KCVLAA when I was doing some web browsing.  Without KCVLAA, the legal and accounting problems of many artists and arts organizations would go unresolved.

As a songwriter, I needed to know all I could about copyrights and intellectual property law so I attended an “Ask The Expert” program of KCVLAA.  I was impressed by how the program was executed and by the expertise and professionalism of the volunteer attorney that I met with.

I continued to learn more about KCVLAA and gained confidence in the knowledge and ability of the executive director and board to successfully advance the mission.  I now serve on the board of KCVLAA and my role at the BBB gives me this opportunity to shine a little light on a deserving organization. www.kcvlaa.org There are many others out there.

Learn about what makes a good, well-run charity.  The BBB charity accountability standards are a good place to start.  http://www.bbb.org/us/standards-for-charity-accountability/  Continue to check out our reports and call to inquire about charities that you’d like to have us report on.  (816) 421-8188 X112  Many times organizations are helped just by being evaluated against our standards as they identify areas where improvements can be made. 

I encourage all to engage their passions and investigate the non-profits out there that are working hard to better our community in those areas.  They can use your help and will be better because of you.

BBB Sponsored NASCAR!

For the first time, the Better Business Bureau is sponsoring a NASCAR team this year. The BBB is the primary sponsor for car #52 in the Nationwide Series, driven by Joey Gase. Gase has been racing since he was eight years old and is competing as rookie in the Nationwide Series.

NASCAR festivities begin on October 17th at the Kansas Speedway when the parking lots open at 8:00AM. The BBB will be in the Pit for #52 on October 20th for the Kansas Lottery 300 Race. The race begins at 2:30PM. You can buy tickets here or it will be televised on ESPN.