ETHICAL FUNDRAISING AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS

1. ETHICAL FUNDRAISING AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS

2. An Exploration and Reflection on the ALCDSB Policy and Administrative Procedures on Fundraising

3. A Word of Appreciation … Thank you for setting aside the time which you have to thoughtfully work through this presentation. Perhaps you are intending to embrace the process all at once; perhaps you are planning to divide up the issues over several meetings.

4. A Word of Appreciation … Whatever time frame you have chosen, it is our hope that in engaging in this conversation about fundraising, you will be both affirmed and challenged with regard to your present practices.

5. A Practical Word … As you work your way through this PowerPoint, it will be necessary for you to have access to both the ALCDSB Policy and Administrative Procedures. These can be found in the same folder as this PowerPoint or on the Board web site under “About Us.”

6. A Practical Word … At the end of this presentation, your group will be asked to set 3 goals for themselves … for the short; medium; and long terms. Keep this in mind as you work through this process.

7. An Inspirational Word … It is our hope that in this process, you will discover … Fund-raising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission. Henri Nouwen, The Spirituality of Fund-Raising, p. 3

8. Why does this matter? All of our school communities participate in fundraising campaigns, whether for charitable causes, to support school activities or to provide resources for our students.

9. Why does this matter? Have you ever wondered how to select appropriate charities or how to conduct a fundraising campaign so that both are consistent with our Gospel values and the Church’s social teachings?

10. Why does this matter? In his booklet The Spirituality of Fund-Raising, Henri Nouwen expresses a concern that many of us have perhaps felt … We may think of fund-raising as a necessary but unpleasant activity to support spiritual things. … We may feel awkward and a little embarrassed about it.

11. Why should I care about which charity we support? Formal charitable status is a matter of federal government policy (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities/ ). But such designations do not take into account certain ethical considerations that are part of the social and moral teachings of our Church. For example, does the charity that supports medical research insure respect for embryonic life?

12. Why should I care about how we raise money? A good end does not justify the means. For example, to raise money for a food bank by having an eating contest does not reflect proper stewardship of resources.

13. If one is selling something to raise funds, such as chocolate or coffee or T-shirts, have you considered whether these items are “sweat-shop” free or fairly traded?

14. A Time to Reflect … Take some time individually or in small groups to discuss how these concerns have been part of the experience of your school community. • Selecting appropriate charities • Selecting appropriate fundraising methods • Feelings about fundraising

15. Let’s Consider … Using your copy of the Board Policy, consider the eight Guiding Principles (see next 4 slides) in terms of the following … • Which principles are already reflected in your school’s fundraising practices? • Which principles might not be as clearly evident?

16. Guiding Principles 1. All fundraising and charitable activities in schools must reflect Gospel values as expressed in both the Traditions and social teachings of our Church; namely, the inherent dignity of all persons, the preferential option for the poor, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, justice, partnership, cooperation, consultation and accountability in the enactment of this policy.

17. Guiding Principles 2. The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board embraces its responsibility to model and teach the virtues inherent in actions on behalf of the poor, marginalized, disadvantaged and oppressed. 3. Involvement of students in partisan political activities is to be avoided and any such student engagement in social action projects must be age-appropriate, with appropriate parental approval and adult supervision, and be consistent with other relevant Board policies (e.g. Student Involvement in Social Issues Activities 2001-04-5).

18. Guiding Principles 4. All fundraising and charitable activities shall be carried out under the supervision and jurisdiction of the Principal. 5. Student participation is voluntary and parents have the right to exclude their children from fundraising, and charitable activities. 6. The time and effort required of the students must be reasonable and not interfere with academic performance.

19. Guiding Principles 7. The purpose and results of any fundraising and charitable activities must be clearly identified to the school community and the superintendent responsible for the school. 8. Requests for anonymity and preservation of human dignity must be respected in any public communications of fundraising activities.

20. Let’s Consider … Using your copy of the Administrative Procedures for this Policy, consider the following … • Section 1 provides definitions of two types of fundraising campaigns (see next 2 slides). How are these present in your school community? Is one more prevalent than another? If so, what might the implications be?

21. CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN … … activity with the objective of raising money/material(s)/food and awareness on behalf of a charitable organization (e.g. Holy Childhood Association, Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Canadian Cancer Society, Easter Seal Campaign) and/or in response to an immediate local, national or international need (e.g. natural disaster, famine).

22. SCHOOL CAMPAIGN … … activity with the objective to raise money for school activities or resources (e.g. field trips, graduation, sports equipment, etc.)

23. Let’s Consider … Using your copy of the Administrative Procedures for this Policy, consider the following … • Section 2 provides parameters for developing an annual school plan which embraces ethical practices toward a just end. How are these reflected in your school’s planning for the current year?

24. Let’s Consider … Using your copy of the Administrative Procedures for this Policy, consider the following … • This AP directs users (see section 2.5) to consider the document School Resource for Ethical Fundraising. This can be downloaded from the web site of the Committee for Social Justice at http://schools.alcdsb.on.ca/social_justice/ethicalfundraising.aspx

25. Let’s Consider … Divide the resource into sections according to the number of people in your group. Individuals read their assigned section and lead a discussion on it with the rest of the group.

26. Let’s Consider … Based on your conversations to this point on the Policy and related Administrative Procedures and your reading ofSchool Resource for Ethical Fundraising, name those practices which your group is already doing well and should continue.

27. Let’s Consider … Based on your reading ofSchool Resource for Ethical Fundraising, what are some emerging promising practices that could be developed and further reinforced?

28. Let’s Consider … As a group, try to name … • at least one goal for the short term; • the medium term; • the longer term.

29. From the perspective of the gospel, fundraising is not a response to a crisis. Fundraising is, first and foremost, a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission. Henri Nouwen, The Spirituality of Fundraising (2004)

30. Next steps …. How will you communicate to the larger school community the insights, proposals and decisions that you have made today?

31. For further information … … contact the Committee for Social Justice of the ALCDSB. Emailsocial_justice@alcdsb.on.ca Call (613) 354-6427 x462

32. The Spirituality of Fund-Raising Henri Nouwen’s booklet on fundraising offers a rich collection of reflections that are well worth taking the time to consider. Your group can borrow copies of this text from the Office of Religious Education of the ALCDSB or you can order your own from the web site of the Henri Nouwen society at http://www.henrinouwen.org/ .

33. Prepared by … The Committee for Social Justice of the ALCDSB 2011