Hi readers. Most of us know and have grown tolerant to the pesky phone calls, the untimely knocks at the door, the unwanted fliers left in our path.

But, when are NGOs simply asking too much of you?

When we adults are asked to define what an NGO (non governmental organization) is, many of us are familiar with the acronym. They (NGOs) all have this in common:
They are (1) somewhat independent of the central government (2) a body which aims to achieve an ideological end, or, to satisfy a humanitarian assistance mission.

Many of them set out to satisfy needs; to alleviate and provide aid compensation for deficiencies that are present in the community. That honor, is what compels people to get involved with them, right?

As tiny children raised in schools, many of us were encouraged to participate, to get involved… by raising our hands to ask questions or to answer a question; with what we believe the answer to the teacher’s question to be. We are at an early age conditioned to act, and to organize with our peers. We solve problems, or tackle assignments, using what psychologists characterized as “group think”. The smarter ones benevolently encourage the slower ones, and everyone works together.

Science fiction book authors would comment on this phenomenon… highlighting the dangers and “unintended side effects” of “group think”. Scientific sociology studies in present and recent history, in fact, point out (or at least demonstrate) how “group think” can divide and conquer people who try to fit the pluralism of the group.

So is individual scholarship a “thing of the past”?

Many kids who might be a bit docile in personality… doing more listening and observing (rather than raising his hand to please the teacher and get kudos for being right)… what is to become of them?
If they don’t thrive in “group think”, perhaps they don’t get the high participation grades on the progress report… or be ostracized with a deficiency! But, the laid back observing student can still be a “high-quotient” learner; maybe, thriving on test scores… using individual study time, reading, paying attention, and building skill over a longer period of time. Is cramming for the test going to ensure the long term aptitude and life’s fulfillment over the course of one’s life?

In comes, the “NGO”. Many years ago, there was no such acronym in existence. But, now the “NGO” has become a ubiquitous example of social engagement, inclusion, activity, protection of the weaker, and even positively motivated social engineering.

But, when does an NGO begin to encroach on our civil liberty? Quite quickly it can, I argue. Operating independently of central government (unless corrupted) in that NGO’s are more akin to a corporate structure (that is beholden to its share-holders, investment income, government, and people) and less akin to democratically elected state and federal government, NGO’s organize around a single ideology in which to impact persons. And, aim to enlist persons involved in what it is that the organization deems as being both critical and worthy of our monetary support.

“Non profit” entity distinctions (NGOs are often classified by the government) enable such groups to shape our society in ways that are steered by the group’s leadership or board. It’s a power, that has often not been checked by citizens – except by other organizations who with their funding, compete directly for dollars. So are billionaires who fund NGO’s, “generals” in a fish-bowl conflict?

When do classroom participation models perpetuate, and, even emulate such societal organization?
When does an NGO become excessively “extroverted”, or perhaps even foster a dangerous compulsion to exist? How much does “group-think” contribute to this model? When do civic involvement and moderate levels of outreach begin to encroach on a household’s quiet time and peace? When does an NGO become a nuisance, inhibiting boundaries, inhibiting recreation, and impeding private family time that is otherwise customized by the head of private household(s); or, well otherwise regulated by the head of one’s own company?

Group-work and collective “brainstorming” are constructive methodologies for problem solving; but, so is listening to an uninterrupted lecture, taking down notes, and testing theories on one’s own. So should every schooling system be the same?

How do educators strike the balance between outwardly expressed activity, and contemplative absorption of knowledge? That is a question that every administrator in young persons’ schools should be thinking about. There need be well structured and balanced time limits, contributing to the different aspects of our lives. So who outside of classrooms should mimick education according to a successful model? Families should approve, by watching their children’s performance from home. And students need to be ready to compete globally.

So have NGOs become an extension of the classroom? Are they indoctrinating and steering citizens toward an ideological or political goal? Are they working with young people by teaching them the skills to facilitate operational success to a humanitarian end, where someone has asked them for help?

Do some NGOs seek to replace religion… cutting into private time in our churches? Do NGOs enjoy more privilege as a group (and exert more power) than private citizens do?

As adults, we need to teach that we are accountable foremost to our own family, and far less accountable to an NGOs ideology. But, how much does an NGO ask of us, beyond our own family? I argue here, that NGOs are sometimes butting in or disrupting our family time. For example, how many of us receive phone calls, emails, or standard mails (weekly and daily), from organizations that want to collaborate with us. Never mind the goal of that NGO. For a moment, understand that we’re not their employees. Nor have we registered our name and contact information. They seek out, because their job and their “self worth” depends on it.

If one has to repeatedly request removal from mailing list, are they respectful of our time? If we hang up on them or answer them “no”, and they repeat to contact following days, then what is our remedy? Do they have a right to persist, if we are unwilling to assemble?

In this country, we have a freedom to refuse assembly. What that means, is that we have the authority to say “no” to advances requesting our participation. But, is this “no” respected and honored? In many cases it is not. Therefore, collectively, we need to value the right not to assemble, as much as we value the right to assemble.

When someone begs of you for things that you refuse them, then their outreach has become wasteful, desperate, and inefficient toward the progress of the NGO’s mission. So should all the billionaires be the only financiers who duke out their competing ideologies by way of NGO’s?

When you receive numerous solicitations, its likely that other persons are also refusing them. Are all NGOs a disturbance? No.

Organizations request (and sometimes demand) that we read their letters, reply to their donation requests, donate money, donate time, answer questionnaires, answer their phone calls. Sometimes, they’ll even speak to us on recorded lines for harvesting of information and our attitudes. When NGO’s occupy citizens’ unsolicited private time, in order to fulfill their ideological agenda and to boost their impact – it is invasive and worthy of contempt. When is political activism just too much to handle; an encroachment on liberty by way of forced assembly?

Many people want to feel important and satisfied knowing that their work is impacting society in a good way, and this can become the bait that is used to use people. The NGO workers get their pay, but do you? Or are we a pawn in a grand scheme? An NGO can potentially not only occupy a person’s time, energy, and focus, away from a household’s more pressing tasks of the day; but, even dominate us and use us as pawns in a war that was not ours to begin with. In times of massive surveillance and privacy leaks, this can be tremendously exhausting and even more augmented.

Do we have the legal protection to disassociate from an NGO, and not risk retaliation or “non stop” soliciting sourced from deep pocket financing. And, if we voluntarily sign up to participate… knowing that we can cancel participation further at any time without hitch, then civil engagement does not amount to abuse. That then, is as it should be. So can we block numbers and mail? Very difficult. Also, if organizations refuse to heed and respect the public abstaining, then the NGO is out of control.

In my country (USA), NGOs are plentiful and operate in opposition to each other. In some cases, NGOs duplicate each others’ objectives: they have the same agenda as another NGO (which in itself is not necessarily an evil). Also, NGOs fight each other with agendas that run counter to one other. The vicitims are we the people, who find ourselves increasingly in the cross-hairs of one or more NGOs each vying for our attention – ultimately swaying us to an ideology and turning us against our fellow citizens. As our private information leaks out and gets shared, we can find it more difficult to claim nuetrality when we sensibly ought to.

As NGO agendas grow more vigilant and ambitious, tactics can become more hostile. Members of organizations are enlisted with increasing voracity. Who has time amidst all of this, to work in one’s own business? At one’s own politically neutral (if that even exists anymore) workplace? How does the family (in this climate), spend quality time living in a private, secure, safe, environment? How, under such condition can parents effectively rule on what is discussed and what is not? How does a family reject such un-welcomed distraction and peril?

Involvement and participation (at will), are great exercises of liberty. And, I myself included appreciate being able to engage with some organizations at particular volume. It’s all about the degree of involvement and participation. Some NGOs are wise to respect complaints that they are reaching out too often, so they will even ask if they are reaching out too often. This is sensitive to people’s time and focus.

But in general, have we allowed NGOs and our mass media to compromise (or even hijack) our own family objectives? To some extent, I think the answer to that question is “yes we have”.
As it is, getting away for vacation can become increasingly more difficult. Who in government, is refusing to invoke Constitutional protections for consumers? When does civic engagement become “a monster”, crossing the line into becoming civic engagement obsessions and euphorias? Quite quickly, political ideology through NGOs, can give rise to agendas (with a seeming absolute mandate) with increasingly fewer means to stem radical and unhealthy change. Fortunately, other NGO’s step in.

So who controls NGOs?

When a particular NGO just won’t accept your “Dear John letter” and your break up with them, the answer might be you. Begin with filing Consumer Complaints and writing the FCC.

Maybe an organization is pressuring you constantly to donate biological material, give your money, participate in studies, volunteer your time, discuss opinions? The judicial system and local government has a responsibility. The Bill of Rights stands in our defense. In fact, Amendment XIII (Sections 1. and 2.)
protect us from “involuntary servitude”. So, if an NGO is harassing you… tell them to “stop!”; and, speak up elsewhere if you have not been as successful in so far.