Thank you for writing this, Kevin. I always look forward to your articles in the SSIR. You seem like a really sensible, good person to have in the sector.
What a sad story about a corrupt, greedy man who could have made an amazing impact. I wish there was a law that organizations with this gross mismanagement must inform their donors…
Starrs article is an unfortunate one-sided diatribe that inflicts more damage to our social enterprise movement than good. Without interviewing sufficient customer/clients, indepth research, presenting both sides of the story, nor asking Mortenson for comment. Similar to how Krakauer overly critized Anatoli Boukreev, who had to write a book to get his side out. Another point of view to think about on this is Nicholas Kristof older post http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/opinion/21kristof.html?_r= .
Continuing to wrongly perpetuate this controversy gives more people reasons not to act at all. It could be much more helpful to hear about Starr’s own success and failures and lessons learned of his organization to help encourage and inspire others. We’ll know the facts are right, hear all sides of the story and this would likely have a greater positive impact overall.
“The events of May 10 and 11, 1996, on the Southeast Ridge, the basis for “Into Thin Air,” are not without controversy. Krakauer’s narrative placed a spotlight on the actions of Anatoli Boukreev… Later, Boukreev, who rescued several climbers, rebutted Krakauer’s interpretation of the events in his own account, “The Climb,” written with Weston DeWalt.
I took this whole story so personally when/as it unfolded. As a founder of my own org (and I love your comments on this topic, too, Kevin) nearly a decade ago, I received no fewer than 10 copies of Three Cups of Tea from well-meaning family and early supporters at that critical time when I was slogging up that long hill of creating an org, establishing its reputation, and creating work that sticks.
I recall, quite vividly, the day Three Cups of Deceit came out. I know where I was sitting as I started to read it, and the befuddled looks of those with me as I refused to move from that spot until I went through the entire piece. Two weeks later it was already required reading for all my staff and we had an all-day retreat to discuss what this meant in a sector based (so significantly) on trust, to begin creating our own internal measures to ensure we had spot-checks against org/staff/founder hubris, and to chat on how this could erode public opinion of this type of work.
I know where I was when the AG report came out, as well as Krakauer’s followup. Although the anger was a bit diluted by then, I find this to be the perfect example of how fragile the philanthropic sphere is (social enterprise has no fewer pitfalls and gaps, lest this be confused with a rant against charity), how easy it is to dupe broad swaths of the public into supporting work that really has no business receiving any form of direct investment, and how few punitive measures there are within most of our orgs for terrible judgment on the low end and outright fraudulent behavior at the most extreme…
I, too, am one of those non-profit leaders whose commitment was fired by my personal experiences. I, too, wrote a book detailing that experience and the work of the organization. And I regularly receive affirmative responses from across the country about how my story changed someone’s life. And I’ve always wondered how to create momentum for the book, the cause and my agency because, at least in my experience, it’s a tough long road. Guess I just needed to have my agency buy a whole lot of books - $4 million would put me on the best seller list too!
I cannot begin to say how disgusted I am by Mortenson’s gaming of a system that is set up for the common good. A system that for the most part attracts the best, the brightest and the most ethical among us. This abhorrent behavior casts a negative light on all of us and risks the continued philanthropic support for critical services. Shame on him and shame on a Board of Directors that hasn’t cut out the malignancy.
We so believed in his work and mission, believing in the importance of education especially for the young girls, and for helping do work in this volatile part of the world, that we BORROWED!! $5K to give CAI, as part of our own year end tithing (tight on a teacher’s salary). Has anyone tried to get back their donations? I doubt it…just curious! And plenty of backers gave much more.
I have been investigating the 60 Minutes allegations for two years, have interviewed over 60 people, including Greg Mortenson, traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to do my own on the ground research, and have read the Montana Attorney General’s report cover to cover. What amazes me in all of the continuing fury against Mortenson is how everyone, including Kevin Starr, simply regurgitate what 60 Minutes alleged, without any of their own, independent research. And that’s shocking, because what I found is VERY different from what has been reported and repeated by his haters.
And yes, I too have read Krakauer’s “Three Cups of Deceit,” but I don’t find his journalism any better than it was in “Into Thin Air,” another subject I have been doing my own, first hand research on since May of 1996.
What has happened to our Fourth Estate if this is the quality of our so-called journalists?
The results of my investigation are the subject of my upcoming documentary, http://www.3000cupsoftea.org. I hope you’ll stay tuned and keep an open mind to the fact that you could be wrong in your condemnation of Mortenson.
I confess that I am puzzled by the notion of “regurgitation,” as nothing in the piece comes from the “60 Minutes” segment. It is based on facts from three sources: my eyewitness observations, the Montana Attorney General’s report, and CAI’s own website. The AG’s report contains a great deal of “independent research.” I am not sure how one could read it and not find it damning.
“Three Cups of Deceit” was a thoroughly researched journalistic effort and an exhaustive catalog of alleged misdeeds. The fact that someone didn’t like “Into Thin Air,” falls short of a cogent critique, and what’s weird is that, in all this time, only a few of the charges in the book have ever been substantively addressed by anyone in the Mortenson camp. In fact, the most useful subsequent research is the Montana AG’s report, which substantiates many of Krakaeur’s allegations.
I have been working at the edge of this issue for many years. What I know to be true is that Impact (with a capital ‘I’) has become sort of like enlightenment and because of that, Impact reporting is usually glossy marketing meant to drive fundraising. Our organizations are created to solve problems. The useful definition of impact is evidence of progress towards solutions. Impact is not money. Impact is not for money. Impact has only a loose connection to money. Not even Bill Gates can claim that his money caused impact. His money paid for work. Work is incentivized and compensated but NOT coin operated. Work creates impact. When we fuse impact to funding we both trivialize and make precious our work. This is the 3 cups of tea lesson for me.
hey idk bout your details right or wrong but i know a lotta people aint big fans of krakauer in alaska with his other book into the wild .
dont know him personally but im not sure if u got an ax to grind with someone u need to write a book bout it and profit yourself.
maybe krakauer shuold write a book bout his own social organization (does he got one) what he learned about writing about a dead person (who he never met), and call this book ‘the criticisms and fiction of a rich white guy who spent a little time in the outdoors’.
sounds like a peson with good intentions (mortensn) but just disorganized and dont have the mba or right advisors. no social good organization is without there flaws; in reference to your mentioning schools being abandoneded or shut down etc.
go to any remote place anywhere in the world and you will find that the case.
ont the other hand i know how it is to work for people tho in the limelight but aint following the legal rules to and how this can be a real negative thing.
theres all kinds of books ; ‘way of the peaceful warrior’ to the bible that aint gonna pass krakauers critique lol.
there still good books and have merit and the movements that they create or spark or worthwhile.
just lookin at this stuff with a glance in a balanced and fair way.
I work in the education and health sector in Pakistan. CAI’s work brought international attention to the cause of education in Pakistan. I believe that CAI did some genuine work but the marketing spin got out of hand. Lack of check & balance systems and dependence on one individual led to its eventual downfall.
The biggest victim is the cause of education in Pakistan as supporters/donors lost trust not just in CAI but all such efforts.
COMMENTS
BY wayan
ON February 24, 2015 05:16 PM
Fired? He should be in jail for his financial shenanigans.
BY LAUREN JANUS, [url=http://www.thoughtfulphilanthropy.com]http://www.thoughtfulphilanthropy.com[/url]
ON February 25, 2015 02:14 AM
Thank you for writing this, Kevin. I always look forward to your articles in the SSIR. You seem like a really sensible, good person to have in the sector.
BY kiwanja
ON February 26, 2015 01:48 PM
I also find it quite ironic that despite the scandal, and everything that’s followed, the book is still riding high in the Amazon charts.
BY Theresa Rij
ON February 26, 2015 03:40 PM
What a sad story about a corrupt, greedy man who could have made an amazing impact. I wish there was a law that organizations with this gross mismanagement must inform their donors…
BY Social Sector MH
ON February 26, 2015 06:02 PM
Here, here - well written.
BY Al Doerksen
ON February 26, 2015 08:07 PM
Excellent, hard hitting and clear.
BY Michael Callahan
ON February 26, 2015 11:09 PM
Starrs article is an unfortunate one-sided diatribe that inflicts more damage to our social enterprise movement than good. Without interviewing sufficient customer/clients, indepth research, presenting both sides of the story, nor asking Mortenson for comment. Similar to how Krakauer overly critized Anatoli Boukreev, who had to write a book to get his side out. Another point of view to think about on this is Nicholas Kristof older post http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/opinion/21kristof.html?_r= .
Continuing to wrongly perpetuate this controversy gives more people reasons not to act at all. It could be much more helpful to hear about Starr’s own success and failures and lessons learned of his organization to help encourage and inspire others. We’ll know the facts are right, hear all sides of the story and this would likely have a greater positive impact overall.
BY Michael Callahan
ON February 27, 2015 12:03 AM
“The events of May 10 and 11, 1996, on the Southeast Ridge, the basis for “Into Thin Air,” are not without controversy. Krakauer’s narrative placed a spotlight on the actions of Anatoli Boukreev… Later, Boukreev, who rescued several climbers, rebutted Krakauer’s interpretation of the events in his own account, “The Climb,” written with Weston DeWalt.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/sports/17climber.html?pagewanted=all
BY Wayan
ON February 27, 2015 02:54 AM
Ah yes, when you don’t like the message, shoot the messenger, eh Mr. Callahan
BY Eric Stowe
ON February 27, 2015 07:51 AM
I took this whole story so personally when/as it unfolded. As a founder of my own org (and I love your comments on this topic, too, Kevin) nearly a decade ago, I received no fewer than 10 copies of Three Cups of Tea from well-meaning family and early supporters at that critical time when I was slogging up that long hill of creating an org, establishing its reputation, and creating work that sticks.
I recall, quite vividly, the day Three Cups of Deceit came out. I know where I was sitting as I started to read it, and the befuddled looks of those with me as I refused to move from that spot until I went through the entire piece. Two weeks later it was already required reading for all my staff and we had an all-day retreat to discuss what this meant in a sector based (so significantly) on trust, to begin creating our own internal measures to ensure we had spot-checks against org/staff/founder hubris, and to chat on how this could erode public opinion of this type of work.
I know where I was when the AG report came out, as well as Krakauer’s followup. Although the anger was a bit diluted by then, I find this to be the perfect example of how fragile the philanthropic sphere is (social enterprise has no fewer pitfalls and gaps, lest this be confused with a rant against charity), how easy it is to dupe broad swaths of the public into supporting work that really has no business receiving any form of direct investment, and how few punitive measures there are within most of our orgs for terrible judgment on the low end and outright fraudulent behavior at the most extreme…
BY Kelly White
ON February 27, 2015 09:34 AM
I, too, am one of those non-profit leaders whose commitment was fired by my personal experiences. I, too, wrote a book detailing that experience and the work of the organization. And I regularly receive affirmative responses from across the country about how my story changed someone’s life. And I’ve always wondered how to create momentum for the book, the cause and my agency because, at least in my experience, it’s a tough long road. Guess I just needed to have my agency buy a whole lot of books - $4 million would put me on the best seller list too!
I cannot begin to say how disgusted I am by Mortenson’s gaming of a system that is set up for the common good. A system that for the most part attracts the best, the brightest and the most ethical among us. This abhorrent behavior casts a negative light on all of us and risks the continued philanthropic support for critical services. Shame on him and shame on a Board of Directors that hasn’t cut out the malignancy.
BY Sunli
ON February 27, 2015 02:06 PM
Read Jim Thaden’s SSIR blog response here: a look at Central Asia Institute’s decision to continue working with co-founder Greg Mortenson despite controversy. http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/asking_the_right_questions_in_the_face_of_controversy
BY carol dreselly
ON February 27, 2015 03:29 PM
We so believed in his work and mission, believing in the importance of education especially for the young girls, and for helping do work in this volatile part of the world, that we BORROWED!! $5K to give CAI, as part of our own year end tithing (tight on a teacher’s salary). Has anyone tried to get back their donations? I doubt it…just curious! And plenty of backers gave much more.
BY erica stone
ON February 27, 2015 09:15 PM
well written, and accurate. Kudos!
BY Jennifer Jordan
ON February 28, 2015 11:09 AM
I have been investigating the 60 Minutes allegations for two years, have interviewed over 60 people, including Greg Mortenson, traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to do my own on the ground research, and have read the Montana Attorney General’s report cover to cover. What amazes me in all of the continuing fury against Mortenson is how everyone, including Kevin Starr, simply regurgitate what 60 Minutes alleged, without any of their own, independent research. And that’s shocking, because what I found is VERY different from what has been reported and repeated by his haters.
And yes, I too have read Krakauer’s “Three Cups of Deceit,” but I don’t find his journalism any better than it was in “Into Thin Air,” another subject I have been doing my own, first hand research on since May of 1996.
What has happened to our Fourth Estate if this is the quality of our so-called journalists?
The results of my investigation are the subject of my upcoming documentary, http://www.3000cupsoftea.org. I hope you’ll stay tuned and keep an open mind to the fact that you could be wrong in your condemnation of Mortenson.
BY Kevin Starr
ON February 28, 2015 04:16 PM
I confess that I am puzzled by the notion of “regurgitation,” as nothing in the piece comes from the “60 Minutes” segment. It is based on facts from three sources: my eyewitness observations, the Montana Attorney General’s report, and CAI’s own website. The AG’s report contains a great deal of “independent research.” I am not sure how one could read it and not find it damning.
“Three Cups of Deceit” was a thoroughly researched journalistic effort and an exhaustive catalog of alleged misdeeds. The fact that someone didn’t like “Into Thin Air,” falls short of a cogent critique, and what’s weird is that, in all this time, only a few of the charges in the book have ever been substantively addressed by anyone in the Mortenson camp. In fact, the most useful subsequent research is the Montana AG’s report, which substantiates many of Krakaeur’s allegations.
BY steve wright
ON March 1, 2015 10:36 AM
I have been working at the edge of this issue for many years. What I know to be true is that Impact (with a capital ‘I’) has become sort of like enlightenment and because of that, Impact reporting is usually glossy marketing meant to drive fundraising. Our organizations are created to solve problems. The useful definition of impact is evidence of progress towards solutions. Impact is not money. Impact is not for money. Impact has only a loose connection to money. Not even Bill Gates can claim that his money caused impact. His money paid for work. Work is incentivized and compensated but NOT coin operated. Work creates impact. When we fuse impact to funding we both trivialize and make precious our work. This is the 3 cups of tea lesson for me.
BY northernlightz
ON March 2, 2015 07:58 AM
hey idk bout your details right or wrong but i know a lotta people aint big fans of krakauer in alaska with his other book into the wild .
dont know him personally but im not sure if u got an ax to grind with someone u need to write a book bout it and profit yourself.
maybe krakauer shuold write a book bout his own social organization (does he got one) what he learned about writing about a dead person (who he never met), and call this book ‘the criticisms and fiction of a rich white guy who spent a little time in the outdoors’.
sounds like a peson with good intentions (mortensn) but just disorganized and dont have the mba or right advisors. no social good organization is without there flaws; in reference to your mentioning schools being abandoneded or shut down etc.
go to any remote place anywhere in the world and you will find that the case.
ont the other hand i know how it is to work for people tho in the limelight but aint following the legal rules to and how this can be a real negative thing.
theres all kinds of books ; ‘way of the peaceful warrior’ to the bible that aint gonna pass krakauers critique lol.
there still good books and have merit and the movements that they create or spark or worthwhile.
just lookin at this stuff with a glance in a balanced and fair way.
i wouldnt read anything by krakauer.
BY northernlightz
ON March 2, 2015 04:38 PM
i had posted a second comment, that got deleted. restore the comment.
BY northernlightz
ON March 3, 2015 10:16 AM
Idk remember my other post in detail but->
for simplification purposes.
@kevinstarr
what would u do differently. if u were mortesen and cai? thx
BY Ahson Rabbani
ON March 8, 2015 09:08 AM
I work in the education and health sector in Pakistan. CAI’s work brought international attention to the cause of education in Pakistan. I believe that CAI did some genuine work but the marketing spin got out of hand. Lack of check & balance systems and dependence on one individual led to its eventual downfall.
The biggest victim is the cause of education in Pakistan as supporters/donors lost trust not just in CAI but all such efforts.