The Council of Better Business Bureaus' (CBBB) Foundation is asking for input regarding proposed changes to its national charitable solicitations standards.

The CBBB has posted a "Discussion Document" online to "encourage input from charitable organizations, donors and other constituents" before the new guideline revisions are drafted.

The standards -- first adopted in 1974 and revised in 1981 -- will cover such new topics as Internet fundraising and donor privacy, and ongoing issues including organizational effectiveness, financial reporting accuracy, appropriate fund use and responsible management, the CBBB reports.

"These are voluntary guidelines and we want to ensure that they are not overly burdensome to meet. At the same time, we want to be certain that they meaningfully address the issues of concern to donors," said Bennett Weiner, vice president and director of the CBBB's Philanthropic Advisory Service.

The revision process began last year and is being guided by a 16-member advisory panel. After suggestions have been made, the new standards will be announced in 2001.

The CBBB is the umbrella organization for 132 Better Business Bureaus (BBB) across the U.S. Its foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational organization, was set up in 1975 to provide information to consumers. The Philanthropic Advisory Service provides donors with a source for information on nationally solicited charitable organizations.