Thanks for joining the conversation here! I think we are on the same track here:

I was saying that RSA is apparently asking Fellows to do good things in the world, and I’m asking how I can help. The same point you come to at the end of your comment. I don’t know the 250 year history of the organization; I’m just looking for a clear offer and call to action! I find the “removing barriers to social progress” bit confusing, too.

When you say, “the benefits you could/should be receiving,” I would edit that to say that I hope RSA can use their current rebranding process to find opportunities to communicate to me and everyone else about the benefits we all will see by participation and support of their projects – as in, how the world will be better, what kind of projects Fellows and the organization itself are creating, and opportunities to help further the impact.

I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one confused by some of the messaging and hope that this conversations continues.

And for the record, I do support RSA; this post was generated specifically on the branding around Fellows and their work.

Thanks again for joining in here!

I really do intend for this to be a discussion and hope that I can learn more (and others can, too!) about the work, the goals, and the new-forming work of the RSA and it’s Fellows.

Thanks again

Rather than being upfront (that Fellows exist to support the charity in the delivery of its charitable objects), it has gone down some wishy-washy Nu-Labourish route that Fellowship is an end in itself — is, indeed, the whole point of the RSA. In their eyes, Fellowship seems to equal some sort of nebulous networking without any particular purpose in mind other than something about “removing barriers to social progress”, whatever that means.

But the idea that the RSA exists to support the Fellowship was utter nonsense in 1754 and it remains utter nonsense today. Why should taxpayers be expected to subsidise a group of relatively wealthy Fellows to enable them to pursue their own hobby-horses and to receive personal benefits? It’s a breathtakingly selfish attitude, and one which I had hoped was being smashed in the aftermath of the current global economic crisis.

If you don’t support the RSA’s charitable objectives then fine: don’t contribute (either by becoming a Fellow or giving them a donation). But don’t complain that the RSA hasn’t sold you properly on the benefits that you could/should be receiving. Instead, have a think about what greater good YOU can do, either through them or in other parts of your life.