Star MegaDO 4 - Pre event discussion

Meals on Wheels is an excellent organization and I volunteered for them for a few years while in school. In addition to a nutritious meal, often the volunteer delivering was the only human contact the people would have had, so it serves a great need!

If we are going to select organizations (and the ones Milepoint features on FlyForward are not necessarily 'flying charities') I would love if we stuck with Kiva but consider one that Mommy Points mentions - Ronald McDonald House - in her Christmas blog.

If we end up with a significant Canadian contingent again, I'd like it if the organizers would consider supporting at least one charity with a Canadian arm (RMH would work for that) so that we can get tax receipts. The tax benefits are huge and would allow us to double our donations for no extra cost.

Perhaps among the consideration of the bigger charities at home, we may also add smaller charities in our destinations?

These are really good ideas. Less US-centricity would help many of us.

Kiva is definitely one of our efforts to make the charitable giving more global. We're also trying to develop a program for one smaller recipient each quarter.

Despite my known enthusiasm for KIva I prefer to keep the MegaDO emphasis on others. If I have a vote it would be for DWB/MSF. That is global, efficient, helps with disasters everywhere...Of course thee are so many worthy charities...

Well for small charities and global reach can I add "ForWorld Thinking" to the list? http://www.forworldthinking.org/

I've been a supporter of SmileTrain for some time now where a fundamental and profound lifelong impact can be had for as little as $250.

Wounded Warrior Project. Where are we going, already??? When??? Can"t wait!

It might also merit consideration that donations to charities are not deductibe in many European countries (allbeit business expenses are).

Charity discussion is good but did I miss the all-imp post of when, where, how much announcement, or are well all still waiting?

I am ready for the announcement(s).

You can also sign up for email updates here - www.megado.com

Totally unaware of this. Thanks!

If we're going international/non-US, which I totally agree with, then I would also go for DWB/MSF. I am a big Kiva fan, but I like the idea of spreading the wealth to smaller charities. Maybe we can make it specific to the countries we have the DO in.....

I'm not a tax professional, but unless the organization to which you directly give the cash is registered as a charity then you as an individual generally don't get the tax benefits of the donation. So unless you're making donations directly to whatever charity the MegaDo names you likely aren't permitted to take the deduction anyways. Of course, if the MegaDo organization is properly registered as a charity then you can take that deduction since that who you are giving the money to, but I have no idea if it is so registered (there was talk about that at one point a couple years ago but I left well before we got to solving that problem).

Asian Dawn would be my choice, but the other two also sound great!

Being a tax professional... Actually, the funds can go through a 3rd party (think sponsoring people for various a-thons), the 3rd party just gives a breakdown with the name, address and amounts of the individual donors to the charity when they deliver the 5ft long cheque. The charity then sends out the tax receipts to the individuals. Your risk of course is that the 3rd party never sends in the money, or forgets to provide the list to them.

To all my SMD3 friends, I just talked to Hyatt Diamond and was assured that the Suite Upgrades that will expire on Feb 29 CAN BE USED for future reservations beyond Feb 29. I just booked Seattle and SFO to use my last two.
Also, they have an "on the phone" special offer for the Hyatt Chase card -- 2 Suite stays for diamond and $50 credit w first purchase -- no spend required after first purchase. Sounds good to me.

Still waiting for the good word on SMD4

Yep, you just have have to apply them by Feb 29. And if you cancel any of those future reservations, you do lose the upgrade certs.

Are we supposed to get 4 additional Hyatt suite upgrades for 2012?

You will, in April if memory serves

Yes, March 1 -- 4 more upgrades

INSERT GIANT ASTERISK*

From T&Cs: A complimentary suite upgrade is only valid on paid stays/nights, when paying an Eligible Rate for a maximum of 7 consecutive nights. Member must call 800.400.2261 or their nearest worldwide reservation center to redeem upgrade award. Upgrade awards are not available at Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine, Park Hyatt Sydney and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Summerfield Suites or Hyatt Residence Group resorts.

I found this out today when I attempted to apply a suite upgrade to what I was told was a "Non Eligible Rate" The agent told me it was an "event rate" and I could not apply the suite upgrade. He also told me that he just learned about that restriction last week.

That is one of the reasons I am trying to plan ahead and book some properties. Still have 2 more certificates to use.