I will do it for free, I will even invest my own money
By elitess
@elitess (5070)
Ipswich, England
March 29, 2012 7:46am CST
That is the really short version of my 1 page educational proposal event I sent to Bucharest Zoo. I asked them to respond faster as I need to order the materials from the USA (this is about Save The Frogs Day on 28th of April) and still no response after almost 1 week. I offered me and Anca as volunteers, free advertising for the event for 1 month and also all the needed materials - some from the USA, other bought from our own pockets and still no answer - not even a " No way, Jose".
I asked for help in the form of an advice from a local ONG for which I volunteered in the past for the British Council Bucharest as they held educational events there in 2008 but I only got their "newsletter" the next day, no answer to my query - not even an "Sorry we can't help you".
I sent the proposal to the British Council yesterday at 15:30 (about 24 hours ago) but I am still hopeful for a result from them.
Point is - why is it so hard to do something GOOD for FREE for educational purposes and almost everyone tries to "kill" your ideas ?
And second - do you have any other idea on how or what should I do to get this done ? I am kind of puzzled at the moment and not very optimistic.
I should mention that I attached the support letter from the executive director and founder of the American NGO Save The Frogs, so I wasn't trying to scam them in any way.
Latest update: Luckily both me and Anca have won a private tour a while back and it's taking place this Saturday. The tour is from the PR partner of a local cable company who is an official partner for the Zoo. The guy I talked to promised to hear me out in more detail, and talk to the Zoo in our behalf and remind them about it (maybe even emphasize on it's importance).
Thoughts ? Do share.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
29 Mar 12
Speaking to someone personally is probably the best thing you can do and I'm glad you'll have to opportunity to do so. The chain of command even in something as basic as a zoo is bewildering and there are politics going on even somewhere like that. Nothing is ever simply submitted and approved or the animals would be better cared for and happier and the budget would be healthier!
Here in the states you could not do such a thing. We as a whole are so litigious that we'll sue over anything and thus insurance costs are way up. The zoo would not dare take on volunteers who weren't screened and background-checked and even then they would have to sign a waiver and prove they had their own insurance! A plan like yours would have to be examined and discussed for months for fear of some part of it sparking a lawsuit; someone might be hurt, trip on the sidewalk or, God forbid, "offended" by something you say, do or imply.
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
29 Mar 12
Well the event did not involve any interaction with animals. They have one "child house room" that looks like a classroom that could be used for a presentation on amphibians. I also sent them our resumes which proved we volunteered before for World Wildlife Fund Romania as well as Big Cats Rescue.
I even proposed to them that if any donations are made, we will provide 25 percent to them.
Well point is the guy on the phone said that they have a lot of legal paper work to do in the beginning of the year so I will give them the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best after the talk to the actual guy on Saturday.
@AmericanNotes (82)
• United States
29 Mar 12
There is a Reason it would take so long, Nice Bribe though i guess? Pay Up when they give you the go ahead lol
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