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(Refer to Board Policy 2001-04-5 Student Involvement in Social Issues Activities
under Schools and Students category).
Charity
- Fund raise for a non-governmental service organization. Try to find an organization that offers some possibility of direct contact with your students to explain why they do what they do and how they put funds to work. It is always advisable to investigate what percentage of funds is actually applied to their specific charitable works and how much is used for administration. Where possible, find out if there exists a Catholic organization.
- Collect material that will be re-distributed to those in need by a non-governmental service organization (e.g. used clothing, furniture, basic health care items, non-perishable food, school supplies). While it is not always possible for your students to have direct contact with the recipients of such aid, such encounters, when they are respectful of the plight of the marginalized, can be effective consciousness raising opportunities.
Justice
- Identify an issue that is properly addressed in the political arena. It is particularly useful to work with an issue that has both local and global implications (e.g. access to safe drinking water; use of child labour; availability of renewable sources of energy; waste management; war and peace).
- Research the issue, making direct contact with reputable and, where possible, Catholic organizations already at work in this area.
- Investigate whether it is possible to participate in a political campaign that has already started. If that is not possible, consider how some of the following strategies might be relevant to the particular cause:
- Letter writing campaigns (politicians, corporate executives)
- Write letters to the editor (local and national)
- Send a delegation to meet with your local politicians and/or other relevant people
- Ask your pastor for permission to address the issue at weekend Masses
- Public petition
- Contact political parties to find out where they stand on an issue and, where they have not taken a (favourable) stand, attempt to influence their policy
- Get involved in election campaigns (e.g. organize all candidates meetings, survey candidates positions on the issue and publish their responses)
- Create and distribute information pamphlets and/or posters
- Organize a school assembly, public meeting, rally or march
- Design and wear identifiable symbols that will draw attention to the issue (e.g. buttons, coloured ribbons)
- Organize a debate involving the various players related to your issue
- Help those without a voice to be heard by inviting them to your school and/or creating a public venue for them
- Network with other groups, especially student groups, working on the same issue
- Design a web page that provides information and strategies related to your issue
- Issue press releases to gain news coverage of symbolic actions that will involve your school community (e.g. 40 hour fast, "Die-ins")
- Organize a vigil in front of your school that will draw public attention to an issue over a longer period of time (e.g. small group of students stand with placards for 15 minutes every lunch hour)
- Investigate whether the policies and practices of your school are consistent with the stand you are promoting on the issue and, where it is not, work to change those policies and/or practices
- Understand that some issues are likely to generate debate within your own school community as well. This is not a bad thing where it contributes to the raising of people's consciousness. Make certain, however, that your School Council, parents/guardians and staff have an opportunity to discuss the issue before younger students become involved. In all things, make certain that members of your school community, particularly the students, are appropriately involved.
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If you missed October's School Council Conference, then you missed the popular session "Fundraising in Fair Trade Coffee". We at the Social Justice Committee sponsored this seminar and we want to make sure your School Council doesn't lose an opportunity to take advantage of this unique fundraiser.
What is "Fairly Traded" Coffee?
The coffee industry is in crisis. Coffee prices have fallen to the point where many coffee producers from small farms are being paid less for their coffee than the cost of production. The result is poverty for the farmers, their workers, and their communities. Contrast this with the scenario for some of North America's largest food retailers. For them, paying a low price for coffee beans has allowed them to generate some of their biggest profits from their coffee retail sectors. Fair trade retailers are different. They offer coffee producers a fair price for their coffee beans. In turn the small coffee farmers are able to pay a fair wage to their workers and the local communities begin to thrive.
How Can Your School Council Use "Fairly Traded" Coffee as a Fundraiser?
The Social Justice Committee has established a contact with Richard Ottenhof of Multatuli Coffee Merchants in Kingston. Multatuli will provide "fairly traded" coffee for your school fundraiser for approximately $6.75/pound. Your School Council's job is simple. You canvass your community for orders for one pound and half-pound bags of freshly roasted Nicaraguan coffee at a suggested price of $9.00/pound. (This price is comparable to the retail price for other freshly roasted high-quality coffees.) Coffee orders can be faxed or e-mailed to Multatuli. Your orders will be roasted, ground, packaged and shipped anywhere in our Board's jurisdiction, within 24 hours. It's that simple!
Your School Council can opt to run one of two suggested programs. The first option is to run one or two coffee selling blitzes during the school year (e.g. at Christmas and Easter). The second option is to run a monthly program.
This is a unique opportunity to offer a fundraising program that supports your school's needs and allows you to advocate for the "least of our brothers". If you're interested in running a coffee program and would like to use Multatuli Coffee Merchants in Kingston please call them at 613-389-7994 or toll free at 1-877-674-2326. You also may visit their web site at http://www.multatuli.ca/ |
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Don't throw your used stamps out!
Send them along to us. Last year we raised over $25,000!
For more information contact:
François Gloutnay
Development and Peace
http://www.devp.org
514-257-8711, ext. 318
*francois.gloutnay@devp.org |
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The Holy Childhood Association is a Roman Catholic worldwide Mission Club for elementary school age children. It has been in existence for over 160 years and has spread to over 106 countries. It is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and since 1922, enjoys the protection and patronage of the Pope.
The motto of HCA is: Children Helping Children. The HCA aims to develop mission awareness in children and, through them, in adults.
It is far more than just another Fund-raising Association.
The purpose of the HCA is:
- to foster prayer in our children for the children of the world, that all children may know Jesus.
- to learn more about the world's children through twice yearly newsletters. A.V. materials, prayer cards, posters, membership cards etc.
- to create a sense of belonging through HCA membership.
- to develop the practice of sacrifice and sharing in our children's younger years.
The HCA aims to help the greatest number of children possible by channelling aid to nursery centres, orphanages, schools, hospitals, clinics, relief centres and shelters for street children.
The HCA is an excellent initiative to deepen in elementary children a real sense of mission awareness. Prayer, fund-raising, and information-sharing amongst children all over the world, encourage students to grow in knowledge, compassion and service.
H.C.A. - http://www.missionsocieties.ca
For further information, contact Ann Boniferro, Diocesan Director, H.C.A.
(613) 354-6257 Ext. 471 |
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