From: "Joel Rubinstein" <jrubinst…@igc.apc.org>
From: standi…@mailback.com
STAND FOR CHILDREN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
This version was updated on February 16, 1996
Thank you for your interest in Stand for Children Day! This FAQ should
answer most of your questions about Stand for Children Day, its message
and how you can get involved. If the answers to your questions are not on
this FAQ, please see below how to obtain more information via e-mail, phone
or post.
This FAQ answers the following questions:
1. What is Stand For Children Day?
2. Who is involved in Stand For Children?
3. Is the Stand an effort to build support for a partisan political agenda?
4. How will the Stand For Children make a lasting difference?
5. How can I get involved?
6. How can I get to DC and where will I stay?
7. What other information is available electronically?
8. How can I get in touch with the Stand For Children Day Office in DC?
1. WHAT IS STAND FOR CHILDREN DAY?
———————————–
A national day of commitment to children.
A non-partisan call to action at a critical moment in our nation’s history;
the last national election year of the 20th century; the eve of a new
millennium when our nation’s legacy is at stake; a time when the decisions
we now make will shape the future for our children and our nation in the
coming century.
A day for Americans to gather and affirm our responsibility as individuals,
families, communities, and as a national community for improving the
quality of life of children.
A day for Americans of every race, age, region, income, and faith to unite
in Washington, DC as a national community in support of children.
A day to affirm what unites us rather than what divides us: a desire to
raise healthy, educated, and moral children.
A day for us to celebrate children and those who struggle every day to raise
them well.
A day to send a message to political, business and cultural leaders that they
must do no harm to children and that they should make it easier rather than
harder for families to raise children.
A day where parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, big brothers and big
sisters, students and educators, advocates and nurturers will ourselves to
doing better for children and commit to holding our cultural, business and
political leaders responsible for doing more for children.
A day to speak in one voice: "Leave No Child Behind!"
2. WHO IS INVOLVED IN STAND FOR CHILDREN DAY?
———————————————-
Stand For Children Day was the idea of Marian Wright Edelman, founder and
president of the Children’s Defense Fund, an organization that has for
almost twenty-five years provided a voice for children in Washington, DC.
Stand For Children is a separate non-profit organization with broad-based
support in every corner of the country. So far, over 600 national, state
and local groups which represent tens of millions of Americans from every
walk of life have endorsed this day of moral commitment to children. And
the list continues to grow. To receive a current list of endorsing
organizations via e-mail, send a blank message to
<standendor…@mailback.com>. Please note that this a large file-a list of
over 650 organizations.
3. IS THE STAND AN EFFORT TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR A PARTISAN POLITICAL AGENDA?
—————————————————————————–
June 1st will be a day of spiritual and community renewal. It will be a
day of commitment to children, not a partisan political day. Americans who
care about children are coming as parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles,
big brothers and big sisters, students and educators, nurturers and providers,
not as "Republicans" or "Democrats" or "Independents." And when they go back
home, we hope that Americans of every persuasion will insist that local and
national political leaders do no harm to children and take positive steps to
support them.
No politicians or candidates will be invited to speak at Stand For Children
Day. Of course, if politicians want to come as parents they are welcome to do
so. Supporting children and making it easier rather than harder for families
struggling to raise them is not a partisan issue. Americans agree that every
child should be given the chance to realize his or her God-given potential,
and that no child should grow up hungry, sick, unsafe, or uneducated. We
are trying to build a new spirit of caring for children that transcends party
labels or racial, regional or economic boundaries.
4. HOW WILL THE STAND FOR CHILDREN MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE?
————————————————————-
Stand For Children Day is a call to action. The focus on June 1st will be on
concrete steps that every American can take to ensure that no child is left
behind. Throughout the coming months and on June 1st, we will encourage
everyone to commit himself or herself to taking specific positive, personal
steps to improve the quality of life of children in their community. This
may mean walking a child in the neighborhood to school, reading more to your
child, mentoring a child, or it may mean getting your religious congregation,
community group, or organization to do more for children. It also may mean
voting with children in mind and insisting that every cultural, business and
political leader meet the same high standard of supporting children to which
you hold yourself. It is within our power as people who care about children
to change the way our country and our local communities treat our children.
5. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN STAND FOR CHILDREN DAY
—————————————————
1. Come to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on June 1 with your family
and friends and take a Stand For Children.
2. Spread the word. The more people who stand together for children on June 1
in Washington DC, the bigger the impact. So tell 10 friends in person and
through your e-mail networks and Web sites.
3. Bring a busload to Stand For Children. Organize a bus or a van or a car
convoy to bring your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and
congregation members to DC on June 1. To get a copy of a Bus Captain’s
Guide and transportation information, send an e-mail message to
<standtransp…@mailback.com>
4. Organize a Children’s Action Team. These teams will be formed in local
communities to build support for the Stand For Children among local
businesses, congregations, clubs and individuals. Your team can be as small
as four people or as large as four thousand. But your job is still the same:
to inspire people to come to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on June
1st to Stand For Children and strengthen your community’s commitment to
improving our children’s quality of life. Our national staff will work with
your Children’s Action Team to help you make your efforts a success.
To get a copy of the Children’s Action Team Packet, send an e-mail to
<standact…@mailback.com>.
6. HOW CAN I GET TO WASHINGTON DC AND WHERE WILL I STAY?
Americans will come to Washington DC on June 1st by bus, train, plane, car,
bicycle, public transportation, and on foot. This is a national day of
commitment. Most of those who come to the Stand For Children will be able
to make it a one day trip. Those who need to stay should contact the Stand
For Children Office for information which will soon be available about
low-cost accommodations in Washington DC and the surrounding area, in
addition to transportation information and directions.
7. WHAT OTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY?
——————————————————
To receive the following information, simply send an e-mail message to the
corresponding e-mail address.
standendor…@mailback.com List of more than 600 organizations endorsing
the Stand For Children
standtransp…@mailback.com Bus Captain’s Guide & Transportation Information
standact…@mailback.com Children’s Action Team Packet. It includes
key children’s facts as well as tips on
forming local Children’s Action Teams,
fundraising, getting local endorsers,
making news, and organizing buses
Within the next weeks, we will be starting a mailing list for people
interested in making a Stand for Children. If you received this e-mail
from standi…@mailback.com, you will be placed on our list automatically.
If you do not want to be placed on this list, after receiving the first
message you will be able to unsubscribe.
A web site is under construction and as soon as it is up, we will
circulate its address and welcome your organization’s links to our home page.
For more information about linking to our page, please send an e-mail to
<103661….@compuserve.com>.
8. HOW CAN I GET IN TOUCH WITH THE STAND FOR CHILDREN OFFICE?
————————————————————-
If you need additional information, would like to get in touch with a
field organizer in your state or have an e-mail network whom you would like
to keep informed about the Stand, please contact us at:
Stand For Children
1832 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington DC 20009
Phone: 800 233 1200
Phone: 202 234 0095
Fax: 202 234 0217