Balliol JCR believes that 1. The JCR should continue to donate money to causes it feels strongly about. 2. It is important for JCR members to know where the money it donates to charity is going. 3. The GM should remain the place where donations to charities are discussed and voted on, not only because of their financial element but also because the GM is the forum where the relative merits of different causes can be properly debated and weighed up. 4. Having a proper procedure for charitable donations will mean that more information can be made available concerning the charities we give money to, and those which approach us in the future, and that we can react more quickly to emergency situations. 5. Handling the bulk of charities requests at one GM in each term would enable better budgeting and would allow the JCR to support the most worthy and urgent causes within the limits of the charities budget. 6. The practice of funding certain causes through optional levies should be distinguished from the general charities procedure. 7. The practice of voting small donations to various campaigns as part of motions aiming to raise awareness of, and solidarity for, various social and political issues should not be discouraged. 8. Although donations to individual members of Balliol have occasionally been granted in the past, donations to charitable organisations are a far more effective way of supporting causes and campaigns. 9. JCR members should be encouraged to apply to various funds, such as Wilson-Wilson, adventurous travel funds or the JCR Drama Society rather than appealing to the JCR to support their social, political or artistic commitments.
