Information about the WWPF Mailing List

OfInterest · #1 01-25-2008, 03:24 PM

This was a dialogue between myself and whoever answers their email (info@worldwidepf.com) at the WWPF.

I first emailed and asked the following:

"Do you think it is unethical to steal a mailing list from an organization you are planning to leave and use that mailing list to advertise for your new "fellowship"/organization?"

Their reply:

"it was not stolen.
Sincerely,
God Bless You"

My response:

"If that is true, why was my UPCI ministerial ID on it?"

Their 2nd reply:

"The list was bought and paid for from the UPC. They used to give them
away and now they sell them. I helped sponsor a meeting and we used
to get a new one every year.

In case you wondered, there are UPCI mailing lists ALL over this
nation. I know of literally hundreds of ministers that have
them...Sorry.
God Bless You,"

I sent this third reply I sent on the 15th of January. I have not received a reply. (not that I anticipate receiving one):

"If you read the guidelines to using such a list, it states that they are for a one time use and your district superintendent must sign his approval for the use. Did you have district superintendent approval to use this list? Have you used it more than once? Also, was this the first time you has used that list? How many times have you used this same list? Also, UPCI idnumbers are not supposed to be included on out of the building mailings. This is a clear example of unethical behavior unbecoming ministers of the gospel."

I know the UPCI is not perfect. I have plenty of complaints, but organizations/fellowships are made of people and people are not perfect, thus this new fellowship will have plenty of it's own problems. If they were truly starting this organization over the TV resolution, it would make them look pretty silly and inconsistent when most of them have web broadcasts. You cannot legislate every media source. If they have other complaints, they should start talking about them instead of creating new fellowships/organizations.

rgcraig · #2 01-25-2008, 03:43 PM

Little testy there, huh?

BoredOutOfMyMind · #3 01-25-2008, 03:49 PM

I am certain the person behind the website is in Tulsa.

He did not even have to answer you.

I know a man who mined UPCI email lists and emailed 5 per week for his business. I questioned it since it was my brother-in-law who was his Pastor, I found the answer. UPCI was not secure enough to block out my email from anyone who wanted it (this has been changed). This man did make some sales from the emails he sent out.

I have a paper sack in my office that I file all the junk mail into. I have a shredder for those items I consider personal nature. You can get a grocery sack for free on your next trip to the market. A shredder is $15, or email and I am sure they would gladly take your name off their lists.

Melody · #4 01-25-2008, 03:52 PM

Just curious why they would sell a mailing list with the ministers number on it. Shouldn't it be blocked out before it is given away?

Any minister with a ministers directory could make up a mailing list,
up until this point I have seen numerous conferences use a mailing list and there hasn't been a problem or speculation as to the theft of it?

BoredOutOfMyMind · #5 01-25-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody

Just curious why they would sell a mailing list with the ministers number on it. Shouldn't it be blocked out before it is given away?

Any minister with a ministers directory could make up a mailing list,
up until this point I have seen numerous conferences use a mailing list and there hasn't been a problem or speculation as to the theft of it?

I think the answer is in post number one-

Quote:

Their 2nd reply:

"The list was bought and paid for from the UPC. They used to give them
away and now they sell them. I helped sponsor a meeting and we used
to get a new one every year.

In case you wondered, there are UPCI mailing lists ALL over this
nation. I know of literally hundreds of ministers that have
them...Sorry.
God Bless You,"

Is it ethical for HQ to sell lists to anyone willing to pay for them?!?

StillStanding · #6 01-25-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Is it ethical for HQ to sell lists to anyone willing to pay for them?!?

The answer is "YES!!" It is saving the conference (etc.) precious time in typing in all of the information. I'm sure the UPCI expects the customers who purchase their list to abide within ethical guidelines using private information.

BoredOutOfMyMind · #7 01-25-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

The answer is "YES!!" It is saving the conference (etc.) precious time in typing in all of the information. I'm sure the UPCI expects the customers who purchase their list to abide within ethical guidelines using private information.

I don't think they really have an Affirmation Statement for mailing lists do you?

You send them $XX (I am thinking in the neighborhood of $200-$250) and you get a list in a plain white envelope.

StillStanding · #8 01-25-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

I don't think they really have an Affirmation Statement for mailing lists do you?

You send them $XX (I am thinking in the neighborhood of $200-$250) and you get a list in a plain white envelope.

I promise you they don't give out their list to just anybody! I would imagine that your intensions would have to be made known.

OfInterest · #9 01-25-2008, 04:25 PM

The list had been purchased for another purpose. They re-used the list (a violation) for their own purposes (to from another fellowship/organization) which is unethical on so many levels.

StillStanding · #10 01-25-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody

Just curious why they would sell a mailing list with the ministers number on it. Shouldn't it be blocked out before it is given away?

Any minister with a ministers directory could make up a mailing list,
up until this point I have seen numerous conferences use a mailing list and there hasn't been a problem or speculation as to the theft of it?

I believe the UPCI's good intentions for allowing special conferences the use of their mailing list was taken advantage of! Surely they never expected the list to be used to cause division! I'm sure the UPCI feels violated!

This happened to me not long ago. Thinking we were friends on the same page, I gave confidential information to someone. They used that information and filed a lawsuit against me and others. I felt like a fool for trusting that they had my best intensions in mind!