Wednesday, March 09, 2011

More information please: who would donate money to an organization's golf tournament, and why?

In an interview from Monday's Metro Morning on the ethics of spending money for employee morale in public organization.

At about 5:00, the guest, a forensic auditor, said that golf may or may not be an appropriate expense, but manicures certainly wouldn't, in response to which the host replied that it's interesting that golf might be considered an appropriate expense, but manicures wouldn't. In reply to this, the guest said:

"The chances of getting external money for a golf tournament are much higher." He then went on to describe the external money as "donations and so on."

The interview ended shortly thereafter and they didn't get into any details, so I'm left wondering: Who would donate money so a public organization could have an employee golf tournament? What would their motivations be in doing this? Under what circumstances would it not be a conflict of interest for a public organization to accept such a donation? (My understanding is that the scope of what constitutes a conflict of interest in the public sector is rather broad.) And why would they be moved to donate for a golf tournament but not for manicures?

3 comments:

laura k said...

Was the golf tournament for charity? That's the only thing I can think of. Other than that, it sounds like complete b/s.

impudent strumpet said...

They didn't say anything about charity. I can't tell you if it was somehow implied or not.

Actually, I don't even understand how a golf tournament can raise money for charity. I've certainly heard of charity golf tournaments, but now that I try to imagine it I can't think of how they work. Who gives money to the charity? The players? If so, what's their motivation? They can play golf anytime, I assume for less money (b/c they'd have to cover the cost of playing golf and a charitable donation)

laura k said...

Charity golf tourneys are very common. People pony up money to enter and play. Usually there are celebrities (who have also donated a lot of money to play) and apparently people get off on playing golf against famous people.

I don't get it either, but I'm thinking it must work, because it's done often.