ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. What are your thoughts?

2014-08-20T09:35:03-04:00

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 20 at 2014 9:38 AM

2014-08-20T09:38:50-04:00

I would have to say that it has most definitely raised awareness of ALS and they have generated quite a bit of extra revenue as a result.
Just finished watching a video compilation of Ice Bucket Challenge fails and gotta say it was a pretty funny clip.
Other than that I'm pretty bored of seeing the videos all over my feeds! It may be close to the point of jumping the shark.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 2:11 PM

2014-08-20T14:11:04-04:00

I believe it is ok to do an ice bucket challenge. However, I believe that you had better write a check along with that.... http://www.alsa.org

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 3:44 PM

2014-08-20T15:44:14-04:00

The ice bucket challenge was already a "thing" before one man adopted it to ALS. The rules seem to change from person to person. If one needed to be nominated to spread awareness then I'm not sure the cause would've survived without it. When I first heard about it, I put it the same category as "planking" and the like. But at least one organization seems to be doing better for it.

Response by SPC James Oakes made Aug 20 at 2014 4:18 PM

2014-08-20T16:18:15-04:00

I think it's been incredible for ALS. Read something recently that said the foundation has seen a 1000% spike in donations.

What shocks me about it is who is responding. As a concept, it seems to be geared to millennials. It engages them directly, on social media, creates a spectacle and puts the spotlight on them while letting them be seen doing a social good. That has millennial all over it. But many, if not most, of the people participating are a bit older than that. I guess that's just who has the money.

It's brilliant in a way. The millennials share and promote it, and the people with money make donations.

I do think it's nearing the end of its life cycle, however. Now we just have 100 clones to look forward to.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 4:38 PM

2014-08-20T16:38:19-04:00

Sir, I am all in favor of raising money for worthwhile charities and things like that, but I gotta say I am so sick and tired of the videos of the ice bucket challenge. Just make a check or an online transaction and give money to the cause.

Response by SPC Richard White made Aug 20 at 2014 11:27 PM

2014-08-20T23:27:14-04:00

I love that people want to donate but this ALS Ice Bucket challenge is getting out of hand.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 4:33 AM

2014-08-21T04:33:50-04:00

I was challenged yesterday. It's cold here...I ain't doing it....

BREAK

However, I paid my dues as a result, and I challenge anyone who reads this, you have 24 hours :)

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 21 at 2014 7:04 AM

2014-08-21T07:04:49-04:00

As I stated in another thread, I am happy to see that they have dramatically increased awareness (and revenue), but it's getting very stale. I believe it's at the point of jumping the shark.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Aug 21 at 2014 11:25 AM

2014-08-21T11:25:58-04:00

I don't get it...where does the donation come in? Do you donate if you don't dump the ice on your head? It seems like everyone is getting a kick out of dumping the ice, so where is the donation? Do you donate to nominate someone? It just seems like a bunch of people dumping ice on their heads and putting it on Facebook. Funny, I have seen about 10 of those videos recently, and only one mentioned ALS at all. Just give money to the organization if you want to donate. Jeez.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 12:19 PM

2014-08-21T12:19:37-04:00

True, I have not seen this yet but I am sure it is out there. You will always have the young and the foolish.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Aug 21 at 2014 12:20 PM

2014-08-21T12:20:33-04:00

It's annoying but I'm a bit surprised people actually want it to stop if it is in fact helping a good cause, especially if it's because it's clogging up their FB feed.

I think to help validate their videos, people should post an explanation of the video challenge with a link for where they can donate. If not, it just looks like they're dumping ice on their heads and then challenging random people to do the same lol.

Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 21 at 2014 5:46 PM

2014-08-21T17:46:30-04:00

One warning - not in uniform or official capacity ... only as an individual

Here's the message that came out from the OTJAG
--------------------------------------------------------------
Please disseminate this message to subordinate SJAs and ethics counselors.

It has come to our attention that Army personnel have participated, in their official status, in the ALS "Ice Bucket Challenge." However well-intentioned, this is an impermissible endorsement of a non-federal entity. If a Command has already publicized its participation in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, either through posting on Youtube and/or its installation website, the OSJA should take immediate corrective action. OSJAs should also make their PAO aware of the issue.

The Standards of Conduct and the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) are clear concerning such activities. An officer or employee may not use his or her Government position or title or any authority associated with his or her public office in a manner that could reasonably be construed to imply that the Government sanctions or endorses the employee's personal activities or those of another. 5 CFR 2635.702(b).

Absent statutory authority to promote products, services or enterprises, an employee is also prohibited from using or permitting the use of his or her Government position or title or any authority associated with his or her public office to endorse any product, service or enterprise. 5 CFR 2635.702(c); JER 3-209.

An employee may only engage in the raising of funds for a nonprofit organization in an official capacity where the employee is authorized to engage in the fundraising activity as part of his or her official duties. 5 CFR 2635.808. The JER, at paragraph 3-210, makes it clear that (with very limited exceptions) DoD employees shall not officially endorse or appear to endorse membership drives or fundraising for any non-federal entity.

Fundraising done by Government employees in their personal capacities should not use official time, resources or personnel in connection with the activity, nor should the individual's official title, authority or command be invoked in connection with the personal fundraising efforts. In addition, employees engaged in personal fundraising may not personally solicit funds from a subordinate or from any other person known to the employee to be a prohibited source. 5 CFR 2635.808(c); JER 3-300.

The "Ice Bucket Challenge" is a fundraising/awareness campaign promoted by a nonprofit organization - the ALS Association ( http://www.alsa.org ) - that has already increased their donations by over $10 million. This success will surely create similar campaigns by other charities.

Participation by Army personnel in fundraising events of this type must be carefully vetted with an eye to the applicable authorities, including those cited above.

This e-mail was sent to SJAs, CJAs, Chief Counsels, and ethics counselors of ACs, ASCCs, DRUs, and certain FOAs using a PP&TO list. It was not sent using an Ethics Counselor distribution list. Please send e-mail updates to PP&TO.

Please have all questions from the field directed thru SJA or ethics counselor channels to higher headquarters legal offices. Field ethics counselors in your subordinate offices should not contact OTJAG directly, but should always coordinate questions with the ethics counselors of ACs, ASCC, DRUs, and FOAs.

Homepage - ALS Association

Learn how you can help The ALS Association advance scientific research to find a cure for ALS, provide resources for people with ALS and their loved ones, heighten awareness of the nature of the disease, and encourage government leaders to expand their support of research and patient care.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 5:56 PM

2014-08-22T17:56:16-04:00

Personally, I have no desire to have a bucket of ice water dumped on me. Regardless of the cause.

Given that the Office of the General Counsel has issued an edic that we are not allowed to do so in uniform because it would raise ethics questions (endoresement of ALS) I feel they have gone too far.

OGC is speaking out of both sides of their mouths about what we can and cannot do.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:37 PM

2014-08-25T22:37:19-04:00

I just did my Ice Bucket Challenge. I got called out by an XO in another company. I did however call out my former CO, BN CO, and another LTC I know. I will see what comes of this.

Response by SFC William Trent made Aug 25 at 2014 10:38 PM

2014-08-25T22:38:09-04:00

I think it's great that folks are getting the word out about ALS. I also think some are just doing it to look good and draw attention.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:50 PM

2014-08-25T22:50:28-04:00

SMSgt Floyd Parton died this time last with ALS... one of my best friends ever.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:52 PM

2014-08-25T22:52:44-04:00

Glad that it's bringing awareness to ALS but all the videos have become a little annoying. That being said would like to see something similar that would bring awareness to the Wounded Warrior Project. I personally try to donate to WWP when ever I can.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:54 PM

2014-08-25T22:54:04-04:00

Quit wasting water!!!

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:59 PM

2014-08-25T22:59:58-04:00

Terminal Lance - Terminal Lance “Cold as Ice”

As you may recall, in Tuesday’s comic update I challenged the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Jim Amos and Duffel Blog founder Paul Szoldra to the ALS Ice Bucket challenge.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 12:22 AM

2014-08-26T00:22:06-04:00

I just watched the very first Ice Bucket Challenge two minutes ago, because my husband made me, as I had been avoiding them. A half-naked idiot of a woman is sitting on a horse and pours ice water on her head and all over the horse. And the horse did its horse thing that pissed off horses tend to do and bucked that b**ch right off...
I snorted and felt highly justified all of a sudden in my decision to continue not watching them.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 26 at 2014 2:14 PM

2014-08-26T14:14:36-04:00

Well you can all be stale and bored with one more over-played video, one more time. I was just challenged by my fire chief and CERT team leader.

http://youtu.be/-dzoBSFHk-M

Bob Petrarca ALS Challenge

Bob Petrarca ALS Challenge 8/26/2014

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 1:06 PM

2014-09-02T13:06:02-04:00

My biggest issue with the challenge is that it advertises that it is raising money and awareness. The awareness part I can get, but the money not so much. I mean how many videos have you seen with someone writing a check because they refuse to do the challenge? That is what I don't understand. For everybody that has done the challenge, no money is going to ALS research, it is simply someone videoing themselves and posting it to different social media outlets.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 2 at 2014 1:12 PM

2014-09-02T13:12:23-04:00

I't's all good, as long as people are following through with the donations. Like others have mentioned, I'm sick to death of the videos. I got called out, but I wasn't about to post yet another video, so I donated....but I figured ALS was getting plenty of attention so I donated to project sanctuary instead, which I became aware of due to a post by LTC Jason Strickland, then challenged all my friends to donate also.

http://www.projectsanctuary.us/