Every few months I have to post something along this lines either here or at H20. ....
If you are looking for things to get at the Society, go after doctrine, changed understandings, false prophecy, changes in doctrine based on the current president at the time of change, origin of Russell's original theories, failure of charitable works, lack of love. You will always lose when it comes down to the financial matters.
The GB gets no more than anyone else for their service at bethel. If I served in bethel for 40 years I would be receiving exactly the same allowance as Governing Body members. I would be able to 'bid' on the same rooms even. (bidding is not financial but based on years of full time service)
There are no limos, with the odd exception of an exuberant Branch or Congregation trying to kiss GB booty. Yes they are driven to places but there are reasons for that. The least of which are threats made against them, not to mention that most are so old they probably don't have the eyesight to drive, especially not in New York City!!
The rule at the Canada branch is that a bethelite travelling on Society business can only request business class if they will be in the air for more than 6 hours. That means coach for all domestic flights. For a while I was one of three people allowed to book Society travel arrangments and I always shopped around for the best deals as did the other two.
Other financial tidbits. No branch can spent more than $5,000 on a single item without the Publishing Committee's (GB) approval. Any money spent has to have a paper trail showing what the item was used for and who requested it. This paper trail had to exist even for petty cash items. I remember thinking it was ridiculous to get a signed request to spend $3.00, but I had to get it signed.
All financial handlings are above board and designed to prevent abuse by anyone..including GB members.
Don't get me wrong, when the GB travel they are treated very well, but if you have ever travelled for a living you know it gets tiresome after a while. When at home at bethel, they are given respect for the age etc but eat the same meals, have the same laundry days as the next bethelite.
Yes they are given gifts, items and currency when they travel to other areas. It is not expected and from some of their comments to me damned embarrassing for them when it happens (per Jaracz, Barr, Franz, and Barber).
None of the Governing Body have any Real Estate holdings. When they die they will die at bethel or in the service thereof. If not married, most have their wills made with the Soicety as the benefactor.
The current GB are all products of the Society, unlike the former Presidents and founding President of the Society. They truly believe this is God's channel and they are following what has been laoid forth for them by past leaders. That is why since the early 80's there has been no real growth or changes. The leaders are on auto pilot. There are no visionaries on the current GB.
So no the leaders of the org are not getting rich and are not living in the lap of luxury.
Does this help? If you have any questions about this please ask, but please remember that there are many around who are as fanatical as ex-jw's as they were when they were active JW's. You can't believe everything you read or hear. i.e. every few months someone brings up Rand Technology. It is a dead end. Myself and several others have discounted that in the past, but some decide to bring it up all over again.
There is enough to hang the Society without resorting to fabrications and inneundo. Stick to the facts.
Kismet - who aplogizes for rambling and the mild rant but it does get tiresome. This is why I respect guys like Farkel & AlanF who have done this for so long. Answered the same questions over and over. In case no has has said thanks recently...THANKS!
