There is a lot of food for thought here, but the elephant example makes me think of the principle of "learned helplessness."
It is extremely discouraging to try to do things about one's weight & health and find only failure and despair. I think that was this organization's motivating factor, as a support group for people with a serious problem.
But just as I blame the American Diabetes Association for ignoring Dr. Bernstein's Solution, I blame any organization that does not act to TRULY help their members.