I am in charge of the staff birthdays and I wanted to collect money to help with the cost of a gift and refreshments. There are 8 of us total so I felt that everyone could give atleast 5.00. But I feel awkward and the responses that I get is uncomfortable from some, how do I handle that???!!! Should I send a memo??? Help!!
199456
We always pass an envelope around. People contribute what they want, and a gift is purchased accordingly. As for refreshments, etc. we all volunteer to bring something. i.e. someone brings cake, someone ice cream, someone drinks, someone plates... you get the idea. Works very well!
598592
I would explain that because of the nature of your job you get multiplie requests for contributions to various organizations and unfortunately am unable to give to all of them. If you are inclined, you may wish to give your former student a small going away gift or a gift certificate as a token, but you are under no obligation to otherwise contribute to her spritual endeavors.
570231
You only need to send them a letter stating that you are a legitimate charitable organization (Sec 501(c)(3)), the amount received and that they received no products or services for their donation.  Since you are giving them a dinner, you need to dtermine the value of the dinner and state that in the letter.\nMy initial inclination is that you are not a charity, only a charitable family.  I would suggest you contact a local church that would be willing to administer this event, checks can be written to the church and the church could give the money out.  Otherwise, there isn't a deduction at all.
478408
My family is going through some financial strains this holiday season, so I told my husband not to buy me any gifts. He agreed. I immediately felt disappointed, and I imagined Christmas morning with no gift under the tree -- how sad I would feel. I wish I had suggested a dollar limit, even if it was just $10 or $20. I would have been quite happy with a DVD, book or a music CD. Just a little something to celebrate the love. Thanks for asking the question. It got me to own up to my true feelings. I think I'll let my husband know what they are and make my suggestion of a limit. :-)
605975
well first off...there's no such thing called a polite way...you don't have to worry about that...as long as you are clearing a point that is making you UNCOMFORTABLE then it's totally OK...cause in the end you don't wanna have to deal with the same thing that is bothering you each day at work...right!!!\n\ntell her what you just wrote to us..."that you don't feel it's appropriate to discuss these matters with her"...see, I'm quoting you! there's nothing wrong with that...cause you are totally right..cause it is none of your business...you can tell her that you really feel uncomfortable and that you know she's a great person and that she would understand!\n\nbelieve me it might not be a big deal as it seems :) you are not being not nice...you are being diplomatic!
364692
I wouldn't worry about it.  You got a thank you from the person you sent the gift to, so that seems fine to me.  I wouldn't expect a thank you from every single person in the office.  It would have been nice, but not necessary.  You weren't out of line.
125372
Well first and foremost personalize with their name. If you are thanking them for a gift, include  what that gift was and how you will use it. \n\nIf this is like for wedding gifts, only do about 10 at a time so your handwritting doesn't get sloppy and tired.\n\nQuotes are good, if you know your audience.
201615
Just do it... just say "no thank you".  If anyone ever does give you an attitude just explain that you donate to charities and organizations already on your own and if you want to send someone a card to "get well", you're sure you can scrounge up a couple of dollars on your own.
668107
Don't carry yourself like a "young pretty girl" be a young pretty self confident woman, if someone makes an inappropriate comment in front of everyone I would give him a look that would send daggers through his heart to let him know I'm not playing games with him and if he gets you alone and make a comment I would tell him I don't appreciate him treating me like anything other than a fellow employee. do your job and do it well and they cannot fire you because you don't smile and act like a hoochie.but always remember there's no amount of money to buy your dignity. tell your boss in a respectable manner that you like your job and you want to learn and grow and work for him but if he and the other men there are making you feel uncomfortable with the comments. you have to decide if you are going to ignore the comments or deal with them. i work in a hospital as a LPN and  a male RN talked down to me because he felt I was beneath him so I invited my husband who is 6 feet tall 240 pounds of muscle to have lunch with me and i never had any more trouble
298713
I like the gift card idea. I would not go over $50 and not less than $25. If your going to do anything it would be an insult to send less. Good luck
227710
Check with management and see if you can put a charity tin beside the cash register (nail it down too). \nHave a small sign asking for any 'small change for the needy', details and a pic on the tin so the customers know it's a legitimate charity.\nMake sure you return the customers change by passing it in front of the tin to make it noticable. (Ever notice how some people go blind in front of things like that?) \nSmile, and they'll probably just drop it in.\n\nYou'll have helped someone feel good about themselves too.
115244
I asked this question here, I was told it was rude of me to expect a thank you by a lot of posters.  I still think it's not me who is rude...and I still say "You're welcome" to these people to try and get them to remember what we all learned in preschool--say thank you when someone does something nice for you.
195572
Here is the thing, how well do you know the person(s) asking the question(s)? Whatever you feel comfortable sharing with others, do that. If a person is imposing themselves, just say that someone contributed it to you and didn't charge you. This way you are tactfully brushing off their nose problems. Congratulations and have a happy and most splendid day. God bless.
244053
It isn't right to harass anyone.  But as a manager, I will say that it is very difficult sometimes to make sure an employee understands all of the expenses the employee doesn't even know exists.  Really just a little cooperation goes a very long way.
349061
Happy Birthday!\n\nJust wanted to make sure I didn't get in the doghouse too :)\n\nIf you have to ask if you should be offended about something, then (ideally) you shouldn't be.  The fact is that you're hurt, and I think most people would be in your shoes.\n\nYes, you should say something to her.  This stuff festers if it's not addressed.  Be careful how you word it, though.  Tell her how you feel (she can't argue with your feeling) about the situation:\n\n"I felt sad when you didn't want to talk on my birthday, or even SAY happy birthday."\n\nHere's the deal, though.  When the discussion is over, let it go.  We don't get points for thoughtless stuff people do.
617488
I beleive it is in poor taste to ask for cash at any point during the process.  Usually when people register for a wedding or a big aniversary or birthday, they dont put that information on the invitation itself.  \nIt makes it sound as if your making sure to invite as many people as possible in order to maximize the amount of money that you will receive.\nSometimes the invitation will say "No gifts please."\nThat is also appropriate.\nIt sounds like the people that are in charge of planning this event have no class or tact, and for that reason, I would not attend, nor send money or a gift.\nI might send a greeting card in the mail, but that would be it.
300649
Usually you try to at least pay them the amount of your plate.  If for one person they spent $75/plate, then you give them $100.  Also, please remember that you need to do that for each person in your family.