COMMENTARY
This email came to me because Mother Jones sent it. However, they put a message at the end that they do not support the organization and the information may or may not be valid. Please ... if you don't believe in it, please don't send it. Everyone in a social ecosystem needs to start taking responsibility so that 'bad eggs' get identified and thrown out.

I certainly agree with the idea that a 'green America' or a 'green China' is a good idea, and I don't mind being called a tree-hugger. But I do take exception to being thought of as something of a fool. The NGO community keeps sending me email request to send money because they are able to describe something that I might like and perhaps would send money. But this same community seems totally unwilling to send me information that would enable me to judge whether or not the money gets used in an efficient way. I understand that they might not want to do this, but I also believe that they do not have the ability to do it. Their staff have been trained to have material to make donors happy, but this is generally completely inadequate to make an analytical value accountant happy ... and I am one of these.

The TVM initiative can help to make the value reporting easy, low cost and relevant. Few NGOs will look very good when they first start to use the TVM methodology, but within a few months they will be able to rework their methods so that their true performance is improved with a huge increment in delivered benefit. Obviously there will be some 'losers' but this is the only way that society can progress. My guess is that most of the 'losers' have the brains to migrate into new positions where they are doing work that is 'valueadd' rather than merely being 'overhead' for society.

I am not sure whether Green America will join in the TVM initiative. I hope they will. They will be invited.
Peter Burgess

Mother Jones do_not_reply@motherjones.com to me

The following sponsored message from Green America has been sent to you via Mother Jones.

Dear friend,

I don't mean to spread rumors, but I heard your friends call you a …tree hugger.

Not the first time, huh? Us neither.

Here at Green America, we celebrate all you do!

And like you, we believe 'living green' is more than a trendy phase – it's a way of life that inspires people to be healthier, do better, and feel connected.

Living in a way that is healthy for people and planet requires mindfulness — and is sometimes a little extra work. That's why Green America would like to treat you to a little TLC!

When you make a $15 tax deductible donation to Green America, we'll send you a FREE 'Cause I Care Package – the resources you need to make green living easy and FUN:

* .. Fair Trade Chocolate and Coffee – thanking you for all you do for people and the planet!
* .. Our Organic Cotton Produce Bag – carry this bag and proudly declare 'I am a Green American.'
* .. 10 things you didn't know you could Recycle – and other secrets to going green in our must-have wallet card.
* .. The NATIONAL GREEN PAGES™ a directory of thousands of green products from socially and environmentally responsible businesses. No greenwashing – guaranteed!
* .. Green American Magazine – your resource for practical and powerful green ideas. Don't miss our next issue on safe cosmetics! Guide to Socially Responsible Investing – we'll help you make smart financial decisions that are in line with your values.

For more than 25 years, Green America's mission has been helping people like you find products from green businesses that you never even knew existed … learn new ways to reduce your impact on our environment … and boycott corporate criminals who are jeopardizing our world.

So please join more than 150,000 other 'tree hugging,' conscientious individuals who want to create a more just and sustainable world.

For People and the Planet,

Alisa Gravitz
Executive Director
Green America

P.S. I guarantee you will be satisfied If for any reason you are unhappy with our resources, I will refund your donation. And the National Green Pages and Guide to Socially Responsible Investing is yours to keep!

P.P.S. This is a Limited Time Offer! When you make a tax-deductible gift today you will be thanked with a FREE 'Cause I Care Package!

Green America, 1612 K St NW Suite 600, Washington DC 20006 - (800) 58 GREEN - GreenAmerica.org

Mother Jones and its non-profit publisher, the Foundation for National Progress, does not endorse any political candidate, political organization, commercial product, process or service, and the views expressed in this communication do not necessarily constitute an endorsement, recommendation or favoring by Mother Jones.