It looks more like it's a problem of hiring family members to run the business. Kind of reminds me of the criticism Trump got for hiring all his kids as advisers. Not necessarily a bad thing or unethical, but it does look bad.
Kristy Money wrote:
The 990 form due last week is literally the least you can do while staying compliant as a 501(c)(3). A 990 won't show travel reimbursement, how income varies by podcaster, payments to family members, etc. In short, it won't address the issues I raised in my Facebook post. To its credit, Open Stories Foundation has reported more extensive, detailed financial records in past years--and not necessarily at tax time. Here is a history of when Open Stories Foundation financial statements have gone public on their website in the past: 2011: Released between 6 Jan 2012 and 10 Jan 2012 2012: Released between 20 April 2013 and 21 April 2013 2013: Released 9 July 2014 2014: Released 18 Jan 2015 2015: Released between 15 March 2016 and 18 March 2016 There are several changes in Open Stories Foundation activity (the changes in podcaster payment, Margi Dehlin starting as a podcaster and retreat presenter, and larger/more luxurious retreats) since the last Open Stories Foundation statement that are the primary reasoning behind this call for an accounting of this last year. If the financials are released and everything is above board, wonderful. Given what I saw just before leaving Open Stories Foundation, I simply feel Open Stories Foundation supporters and listeners deserve to know everything is still above board.
The donation base of this model makes it a bit different from the scenario you outline. Podcasters do not earn all the money that is donated to their particular podcasts--they earn a fixed amount per download, and donations (even when those donations are associated with particular podcasts) go into the general Open Stories Foundation pool to support Open Stories Foundation generally. This model is not inherently "wrong," but it is not what has long been advertised in the bumpers of Open Stories Foundation podcasts. Also, the model you outline is a for-profit group practice. Open Stories Foundation is a non-profit. I have no problem with John making six figures, so long as he is completely transparent and follows ethical guidelines set by the IRS on non-profits vs. for-profits. He may want to consider starting a for-profit.
"Jesus gave us the gospel, but Satan invented church. It takes serious evil to formalize faith into something tedious and then pile guilt on anyone who doesn’t participate enthusiastically." - Robert Kirby
Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer. -- Henry Lawson
Kishkumen wrote:Exactly how much money do people hope to make by being a John Dehlin sidekick?
I'm sorry people; please just go find something else to do before you find yourself in a place where you are complaining about your Mormon Stories pay.
Dear God.
Right.
The whole reddit thread is an embarrassment and ridiculous. I don't recommend it.
"Jesus gave us the gospel, but Satan invented church. It takes serious evil to formalize faith into something tedious and then pile guilt on anyone who doesn’t participate enthusiastically." - Robert Kirby
Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer. -- Henry Lawson
BUT...my point in all this is nowhere in any of these conversation has Kate Kelly spoke or even was referenced. The title of this thread is simply wrong as far as I can tell, unless this person is talking about events that happened a couple years ago?
"Jesus gave us the gospel, but Satan invented church. It takes serious evil to formalize faith into something tedious and then pile guilt on anyone who doesn’t participate enthusiastically." - Robert Kirby
Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer. -- Henry Lawson
cwald wrote:BUT...my point in all this is nowhere in any of these conversation has Kate Kelly spoke or even was referenced. The title of this thread is simply wrong as far as I can tell, unless this person is talking about events that happened a couple years ago?
Well, it is a question.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
cwald wrote:It looks more like it's a problem of hiring family members to run the business. Kind of reminds me of the criticism Trump got for hiring all his kids as advisers. Not necessarily a bad thing or unethical, but it does look bad.
It's pretty much a family business, isn't it?
I have nothing against family businesses. It's a pretty smart way for a smalltime operation to run.
Trump has been criticized because the United States of America is not a family business.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
cwald wrote:It looks more like it's a problem of hiring family members to run the business. Kind of reminds me of the criticism Trump got for hiring all his kids as advisers. Not necessarily a bad thing or unethical, but it does look bad.
It's pretty much a family business, isn't it?
Well, I don't know. They talk about The Foundation and the Board etc. and use so much corporate syntax and lingo that I'm not sure what Open Stories Foundation is really suppose to be to be honest. For the record, I don't have a beef with what Dehlin is doing, but I'm also not a member or financial contributor nor do I listen to Open Stories Foundation podcasts and such anymore...not for several years now.
Perhaps the poster wanted to have a conversation about Kate Kelly Dehlins infamous Facebook blowups from a couple of years ago. And if so, I apologize for assuming this was about the most recent scuffle that happened yesterday and continues on this morning.
"Jesus gave us the gospel, but Satan invented church. It takes serious evil to formalize faith into something tedious and then pile guilt on anyone who doesn’t participate enthusiastically." - Robert Kirby
Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer. -- Henry Lawson
cwald wrote:Well, I don't know. They talk about The Foundation and the Board etc. and use so much corporate syntax and lingo that I'm not sure what Open Stories Foundation is really suppose to be to be honest. For the record, I don't have a beef with what Dehlin is doing, but I'm also not a member or financial contributor nor do I listen to Open Stories Foundation podcasts and such anymore...not for several years now.
Perhaps the poster wanted to have a conversation about Kate Kelly Dehlins infamous Facebook blowups from a couple of years ago. And if so, I apologize for assuming this was about the most recent scuffle that happened yesterday and continues on this morning.
No worries. I really don't care that much about any of it. I still listen to the occasional podcast, although I have to admit that listening to each new Mormon dropout's story about stunning revelations of the Church not being true is getting old. That's not their fault; it's more a reflection of where I am at. I am at the point where I've heard so many of these stories that they are beginning to sound like reruns.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
None of these podcasters need to be a part of the Open Stories Foundation. They could go off on their own without Dehlin. They would certainly have to take on more responsibility and hustle for interviews, but if they were willing to put forth the effort, it's a wide open field.
They should be middle of the road, however. Otherwise, they will only get disgruntled Mormons to interview.
I wonder if Dehlin made them sign Non-Compete Agreements. They should not sign one now if they haven't already signed one.
Kishkumen wrote:Exactly how much money do people hope to make by being a John Dehlin sidekick? I'm sorry people; please just go find something else to do before you find yourself in a place where you are complaining about your Mormon Stories pay. Dear God. ...I am at the point where I've heard so many of these stories that they are beginning to sound like reruns.
This. There is nothing else to see here, move along.
Riding on a speeding train; trapped inside a revolving door; Lost in the riddle of a quatrain; Stuck in an elevator between floors. One focal point in a random world can change your direction: One step where events converge may alter your perception.
Kishkumen wrote:Exactly how much money do people hope to make by being a John Dehlin sidekick?
I'm sorry people; please just go find something else to do before you find yourself in a place where you are complaining about your Mormon Stories pay.