Why do people do this? If you are one of them, please tell me why you do it.?

Question

Recently at work I sent an e-mail out asking people to let me know if they would like to donate cash or purchase certain items to be sent to a 70 person troop in Iraq. Having recently transferred to a new area in a GIANT company I was not well known, and only about 12 people responded. About a month passed and it was time to collect the cash (for shipping the items) and the items. Of the 12 people who volunteered to donate and even verbally spoke to me about, only 5 actually went through with it. Despite a few e-mails and even some conversations with people during the week of colections, there were still, as I said, only 5 contributors. So tell me - what is it that possesses someone to openly state that they want to be a part of something (that was purely done in fun) and then not go through with it?

Please don't give me the "maybe they didn't have the items or the money" answer. I am looking for what they are thinking when they sign up for a volunteer thing - then run away.

Convenience should not be an excuse. I repeatedly offered to meet people in the break room or the parking lot. Some people were able to give it to me directly in the office. Two of the people - one went to dinner then the bar with me AND the other went to the bar - both discussed what i was doing with it and how much stuff/money had been collected so far - and yet, neither gave me their 'donation.'

And as far as the poor examples used for 'how many times did you say you would do this?' -- all of your examples involve false commitments to yourself. If I tell someone I am going to do something, I do everything in my power to go through with it. Believe me - it has caused problems at work - because I will bend over backwards to find you the answer or solve your problem or help you or whatever........

Answer 1

I think that at the time that people sign up for something like they "intend" to follow through or they expect that the person who solicited the help wasn't serious. Then when it is time to "pony up" with the money or the items they back out. When we have a need at our company for someone who works with us. I , as the manager, make it a point to approach the other employees person to person and they know that if they offer they are expected to follow through.

Answer 2

they can talk the talk but not walk the walk.
it's a lot easier to make a promise than keep it.
they want to donate in theory but not in reality.
they like the idea but don't want to part with the cash when the rubber hits the road.
think about yourself. do you ever say you are going to do something (quit smoking, exercise, eat less, go to bed early)
then not be able to follow through? it's a normal human occurrence. i would recommend getting the money (in person)
as soon as possible after the promise. and it's even better to do it in person, not email...they can get their wallet out while you are standing at the door of their office. logistics may play a part in this. convenience is important. i'm busy and i don't want to take extra time to bring you $$ and walk over there.
consider also the logisitcs and how convenient you made the process for them.
because i myself have done this. i am willing to contribute but they set up an account at a credit union and i have to remember the number of the account, write it down, have it with me and drive or walk to that credit union and wait in line and write a check...(AE YI YI) it's a lot of trouble and i don't get around to it. stamped self-addressed envelope works better. or someone coming right to my desk. same with hurricane katrina--i meant to send stuff to my friend who was taking care of a lot of people in her house...but i would need a box, tape, the address and drive to the post office...i never got around to it.
last year i gave around $3000 to charity so i do give lots of money for that sort of thing. but i am very influenced by convenience.

Answer 3

I am thinking that in their heart, they thought it was a good idea and wanted to give to your cause. But with time, others had made/suggested that they reconsider. They did not know you to be trustworthy and how did they know if you would follow through with your promise or just keep the money. Just my opinion.

Answer 4

road to hell is paved with good intentions....i dont like it either when ppl say one thing and then do another..my Dad used to say a mans word should be as good as gold"!!