Catholics have to pay

startingover

Saw this in the paper this morning, it's a clear indication to me why the WT is trying to get rid of any connection they have with people that could be said to be working for them.

I've always said when I delivered Watchtowers I was an agent of the Society. Now Witnesses in service are more so agents because of the issue of forwarding the donations collected at the door to the branch. If the donations are collected on behalf of the Society, it's the "behalf" that defines the agency.

To understand agency, when I do something instead of you doing it, I'm your agent. Agencies can be limited and in business such as real estate sales, those are the common kind of agencies.

I'd have to wonder how NAR (National Association of Realtors) looks at this. If I'm your agent by contract and I have a traffic accident and hurt someone on the way to show your house (on your behalf), are you liable to pay damages by virtue of me being your agent and acting for you at the time of the accident?

Finally-Free

The WTS has said JWs should not call themselves "agents" or "representatives" of the watchtower society, yet the only acceptable form of "preaching" to them requires the use of the watchtower approved translation of the bible and the watchtower's literature. Their "field service" activity is usually preceeded by a 15 minute sales meeting. "Donations" must be turned over to the watchtower society. Their business attire must be according to watchtower company regulations. (they don't even have casual Fridays). All activity must be reported monthly.

I wonder how long it would take to DF someone who went out in "service" on their own, wearing jeans and t-shirt, using a King James bible and no watchtower literature.

As long as the watchtower defines what acceptable "field service" is, the "publishers" are most certainly agents of the watchtower society.

W

Carmel

Gary,

That's exactly why Real Estate agents are heavily insured. It's manditory or they can't work, even as office staff.

carmel

willyloman

startingover: Thanks for posting this article. I'm sure this must send chills down the spines of the folks at Bethel (their lawyers, at least). If a 17 year old kid delivering Xmas presents for the church is an "agent," dubs would certainly qualify as well. Consider the exposure caused by:

dubs in field service

elders on shepherding calls or "leading a group out in service"

dubs driving two or more hours to a convention where they have agreed to work in some official JW convention department

and my personal favorite, three dub elders driving to the KH some night for a judicial committee hearing

A Paduan

Jws are agents moreso than someone delivering Christmas presents - I'll bet she didn't fill in a time card

Who can say, "Oh, I thought this whole thing up - I'm a completely autonomous door to door traveller who happens to like this jw stuff that I have here in my hand"

They are the ones who have said the preaching work is what they're all about.

ZazuWitts

I noticed that the article said the Diocese/church was responsibly "self-insured" Thus, this young women was likely spared any cost herself. You can bet that rank-and-file JW's are not offered the same protection by the WTBTS. Individual JW's has beter take out a million dollar rider to their auto insurance! Something they are not likely to do because of the extra cost. Pity the poor JW who injured someone in an accident while engaging in Watchtower business. They will be on their own to deal with the situation.