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These "improvements" to Compassion have been going on for over a year. OVER A YEAR. Why is it all taking so long? It makes no sense whatsoever. Billing issues, numerous types of letter issues, missing matching fund issues, not being able to send money to correspondence children issues...they're all things that should not take this long to sort out for a large organization. How can these possibly be considered improvements? The letter writing was supposed to be faster yet I've been waiting on letters from two of my kids that are "in process" since the beginning of February. And they're in ENGLISH so they don't have to be translated.
Posted 2 years ago
Shannon Massey, Employee
I for one am getting really excited about the new system. I started sponsoring as a teenager, perhaps fourteen years old. That was to many years ago to think about.it was in the early seventys. The changes that the new system has made already are huge. Just the fact that there is this site to go to and get help is a big difference. The letter turnaround time has been cut from six to eight months to three months just three years ago, to a few weeks.. I received a letter from Guatamala on March 31 that had been written in early March. Maybe I can see the difference because I had to take some time off, and have just come back last fall. If you have continued steadily, or have just begun, the improvement may not be as apparent. Also a year isn't that long to build a it system, the corp. I'm working for has been trying to upgrade for more than two years and still isn't right.
(Edited)
Thank you for your reply. I'm so very
happy that you are getting your mail so fast. You are very lucky. The letters
that Sarah so wonderfully just emailed me were written before Christmas. I
would be OVERJOYED with letters
with a two or three week turnaround. I would be happy if they would just go
back to the two-month turnaround before the "improvements." Hopefully
that will come to pass for EVERYONE and not just a few. Because while I'm happy
for you (I am!!!), it just makes me all the more frustrated that I have to wait
for a letter for five or six months.
Regarding the IT issues - you're not the first to have said
that (see above). I've always worked for the government and the last place I
worked was for Social Security. I can't imagine if the upgrades to our system
for a complete overhaul had taken a year with over a year of issues like these. Two years
would have been unimaginable. We just overhauled our entire system with
numerous new programs and software to expedite things for our customers and to
track operations for quality control. It only took us approximately a month to
work out the kinks. They got everything completely running parallel to what we
were doing BEFORE switching over so
the transition was relatively painless and quick. If there is a problem, it
doesn't last long before it is fixed. Ditto for the United States Army where we
are constantly making major changes to keep up. I can't even count the number
of major overhauls there were in the 23 years I was enlisted.
Again - I am very happy that you get letters so fast and I
think it's wonderful that you've been sponsoring children since the 70's. I
didn't even KNOW about Compassion until I was in my 40's!!!!
Back then, I was using the money from lawn mowing, and I sponsored very much against my parents will. I had to use my best friend's address so the statements and letters wouldn't come to my parents box. Maybe that was part of the enjoyment, I didn't rebel, ever. I knew the consequences. I learned about compassion from magazine ads. I tried three other charities who used the sponsor format, but compassion was, for me the best. I wasn't boasting about the letter that I got so quickly, I was just trying to encourage you and the team. The letters from Brazil haven't done as well. Maybe it depends on the project and country. I think that the government probably works differently than civilian companies. Especially this rinkydink place I work for.
That is the best "teenager rebellion" I have ever heard!!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if all teenagers "rebelled" in that way?!? How exciting that would have been for you!!! That's awesome...
Yes, rinkydink places would have a bit more difficulty implementing huge IT changes. :)
Yes, rinkydink places would have a bit more difficulty implementing huge IT changes. :)
I just reread your post and realized that you have served our country for your entire life. Thank you very much for your dedication and service to We the People. You are very much appreciated. Cathy
You're welcome. I love our country and the people in it. :)
Marci L. Ficht
Jennifer
Jennifer
Marci L. Ficht
Steve
Marci, first, I completely agree with you about rolling out new software. I have been responsible for IT projects. In the case of Compassion, the upgrades were necessary and should have been designed, tested and implemented in a far better manner. In fact, I will go so far as to say nearly transparent to the users/sponsors.
That said, this is a ministry to bring Jesus to the children in poverty. Your commitment to Gadiel is still what it’s about, as you know. When April 15th rolled around this year I thought the same things you did. I have struggled with getting letters and gift acknowledgements (still have issues), but I have had the privilege of meeting three of the kids we sponsor. If for no other reason than to hear “my” seven-year-old girl praying for ME or to seeing what goes on in Compassion projects all over the world...I will never be the same! Forgive me for sounding like Peter, but I believe because I have seen. Don’t give up on Gadiel or Compassion.
Let me add, that the group of people who handle the social media inquiries are impeccable. Yes, we have to rely on them more than I think we should have to, but they do a wonder (and difficult) job. If I had their job, I would hope I’d have the restraint NOT to say, “You think you’re frustrated!? We’re here to honor God, deliver children from poverty, and assist the sponsors in their ministry. Explaining why the system needed to be changed and didn’t meet expectations is not how we want to spend every day.”
Marci, I’m not criticizing you in any way!!! You wrote what I was thinking. But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re making a difference in Gadiel’s life. I’m betting it’s worth it.
Steve
Sarah, Official Rep
Marci L. Ficht
I want you to know that I DO appreciate all that Compassion does and I know all this mess has been very difficult for you and the other staff. Which is why I have tried so hard to be patient. I just became frustrated when I realized that I've lost my connection with Gadiel....my boy. We used to be so close. He was finally starting to send me actual letters that weren't copied from the board with canned sentences or repetitive. I was learning about his life and it was wonderful!!!! And then it all came to an abrupt halt with the improvements. My girls normally send letters on a regular timetable, probably because they are just the form letters, easy to fill out, and don't need translated. (Which is why I was concerned over the amount of time it was taking to get the "latest" letters.)
I do have my account settings set to hard copy in addition to the ones in the system...the reason is that when I lost my Arthur (his project was shut down), everything of his was erased from my account. I lost it all....thank goodness I had the hard copies in a folder. So I don't want that to happen with my Gadiel or the girls!!!! I know it takes longer to get the hard copies, so no worries on that....I have the digital copies on the site until I get the hard copies. But yes, you are correct in saying that my problem is not receiving the letters that keep me close to my children. I will try to be patient.
Again, thank you for sending me the letters that were stuck in the system. :) What a wonderful way to wake up this morning!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Marci L. Ficht
Basically, thank you for your response and I think it's fabulous that you got to see your children!!!!! I wish I could do that but for now, I rely on stories from those that have visited their poppets to make me smile and see the good that we do for the children. You said April 15th...does that mean you just got back? Can we read about your travels anywhere?! And I will never give up on Gadiel...even if we never, ever exchange another letter or photo, I will always sponsor him and will always send him family gifts to help out his single mom and younger brother. I love this family.
Please let me know if you have a blog or something where you post pictures and stories? :)
Sarah, Official Rep
Steve
https://www.facebook.com/steven.j.ben...
Steve
https://www.facebook.com/steven.j.ben...
Marci L. Ficht