Hmmm... I won a raffle

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

What's the SA take on raffles? I never thought of this!

Basically a lady at work's husband has Alzheimers, and asked us to get involved in a raffle being done to raise money for research.

I went in and won first prize - a 2001 Cab Sav Magnum (basically it's worth around $100 - I'm going to get it valued and maybe try and sell it).

Someone asked me if Salvos could do that, and to be honest I didn't even think!

I'm not a soldier, so it's really a non-issue for me, but it did make me think.

Are raffles off limits?

Sasch

 

[Abiel]

In the Uk soldiers are not supposed to take part in raffles, but make a donation instead, if they wish. I have never heard of a raffle addict, but I guess we need to be consistant!

 

[Andy Broadley]

Years ago, whilst out on the pub round with the papers, a lady said to me that she would buy a paper if I would buy one the their raffle tickets (they were eaising money for a charity, I forget which one). I did this, and then left to get on with the round (22 pubs takes a while to get round). This led to a major disagreement with my officer in the car, who said that I should not have done this. My counter arguement was that
a) As we had left the club and I had not put my name on the ticket, I could not possibly win, so it was not a gamble.
b) By buying the ticket I had got another copy of the 'War Cry' into another pair of hands.

I think sometimes we need to remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees about the Sabbath being made for man not t'other way round.

 

[Abiel]

Years ago, whilst out on the pub round with the papers, a lady said to me that she would buy a paper if I would buy one the their raffle tickets (they were eaising money for a charity, I forget which one). I did this, and then left to get on with the round (22 pubs takes a while to get round). This led to a major disagreement with my officer in the car, who said that I should not have done this. My counter arguement was that
a) As we had left the club and I had not put my name on the ticket, I could not possibly win, so it was not a gamble.
b) By buying the ticket I had got another copy of the 'War Cry' into another pair of hands.

I think sometimes we need to remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees about the Sabbath being made for man not t'other way round.

I think you did the right thing- effectively, you made a donation, and blessed the person in the process, without engaging in any finger wagging.

 

[elm0]

Very interesting indeed.

I've been told that raffles are gambling and therefore a big no-no, but I have real issues with being told I can't give money to a good cause by buying tickets. I mean, if I was to walk up to them and say I'd rather just make a donation, how am I to know the money will be included? If people have bought tickets, the money has to be accounted for.

P.S. Sascha, what do you plan on doing with your ill-begotten money when you sell the bottle?

 

[Andy Broadley]

Perhaps buying B a 'FOOTBALL'

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Pffffft....

It's going straight to 'Sascha's European Galavant' stash...

Sasch

 

[TheDag]

Very interesting indeed.

I've been told that raffles are gambling and therefore a big no-no, but I have real issues with being told I can't give money to a good cause by buying tickets. I mean, if I was to walk up to them and say I'd rather just make a donation, how am I to know the money will be included? If people have bought tickets, the money has to be accounted for.

P.S. Sascha, what do you plan on doing with your ill-begotten money when you sell the bottle?

from being involved with these things in the past I can say most groups do have a receipt book on hand or an list that you put your details on and they send you a receipt.

 

[Warren Peace]

In the Uk soldiers are not supposed to take part in raffles, but make a donation instead, if they wish. I have never heard of a raffle addict, but I guess we need to be consistant!

If it's a fund raiser, then you should still be able to make a donation, and be sure to ask for an official receipt or write a cheque just to be sure the seller does not get tempted to keep the money.

If for some reason they don't take one-off donations and you really want to help the cause, then buy a ticket and give it to someone... just ask them not to tell you if they win anything

And of course, my Corps Officer would likely just tell you to make the donation to Salvation Army, West Hill Citadel instead

By the way, this past Christmas I received a bottle of wine from one of our vendors... even though they know that 4 of the 7 on our team don't drink We took the bottle to the liquor store and got $20 back for it.

Blessings...

 

[Andy Broadley]

Pffffft....

It's going straight to 'Sascha's European Galavant' stash...

Sasch

When she will be able to watch some of the best teams in the world play football?

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Not unless the coach has a tv!

And something tells me I'd rather be looking out the window at sights like Lake Como and the Matterhorn, rather than one of a thousand players called RONALDO...



Sasch

 

[Andy Broadley]

Heresy!! Blasphemy!! And probably true.

Long way from Brisbane to Europe on a coach

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Seeing B and I are looking at marriage sometime next year (not official as yet, but talked about), someone suggested, seeing next year is 2006, going to Germany for our honeymoon...

Anyone in here possibly know why that would be?



Sasch

 

[Andy Broadley]

This answer your question?

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

I think so...



Sasch

 

[elm0]

How about Melbourne then?

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Hey I'd LOVE to be a volunteer there!

Sasch

 

[David Brider]

Are raffles off limits?

I'm not a Salvationist myself, but my girlfriend is. Recently I was out at a charity quiz night with her and raffle tickets were being sold in support of the charity, but she refused to buy them as it counts as gambling.

I'm not entirely sure that I agree with this stance - it does seem overly legalistic - but I can understand why it's taken.

David.

 

[Abiel]

I'm not a Salvationist myself, but my girlfriend is. Recently I was out at a charity quiz night with her and raffle tickets were being sold in support of the charity, but she refused to buy them as it counts as gambling.

I'm not entirely sure that I agree with this stance - it does seem overly legalistic - but I can understand why it's taken.

David.

We do it because it's the official postion of the army. Whether we personally agree is another matter I suppose. I guess the problem is where is the line? Years ago, I helped with a tombola stall at my school fete. The prizes were not very exciting. And yet the excitement and cash the stall generated seemed out of all proportion.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Anyone noticed a subtle change in the wording of the Articles of War? Wheras there used to be definate and clear instruction to abstain from alcohol and nicotine, it now has a commitment to abstain from 'enslaving substances'. It is possible that this could be open to a wide degree of interpretation. For example, at what point could alcohol be defined as 'enslaving'. If alcohol is drunk on a regular basis (say daily or or several times per week) then there is a clear and viable potential for this to become enslaving. However, a glass of red wine taken with a meal once or twice a week, could be viewed in a different light (potentially).

Is anyone aware of why the wording has been changed? It wouls seem only to serve to muddy once clearly defined waters.