The Big Speak Out for Fairtrade
 
SPEAK SING & WRITE OUT TO WESTMINSTER SPEAK OUT TO EYES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS SPEAK OUT TO EYES INSIDE CHURCHES SPEAK OUT TO A CONGREGATION SPEAK OUT TO
SHIRTY CLERGY		 SPEAK OUT TO
OTHERS AROUND		 SPEAK OUT KOOLLY
IN SKOOL		 SPEAK OUT TO
CONTACT JUST1

SCHOOLS-LED ACTIVITIES FOR OR BEFORE FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
 
  

Fairtrade Groups

 

 
Get little angels out of classrooms and up in front of
hundreds of like-minded people
  • to tell and show'em what you've been doing for Fairtrade
  • to make them aware why schools need churches to be committed to Fairtrade
  • to refresh or encourage Fairtrade status
  Why offer to send pupils into pulpits?
  Things that congregations like to get from time to time include...
  • A different lead speaker from the usual weekly one
  • Happy news of others that makes them feel good about themselves
  • Hearing from young people - with all their energy and enthusiasm
  • No asks for money!

That's why speaking out for Fairtrade on a Sunday close to Fairtrade Fortnight will appeal to many schools and local churches - whether Fairtrade or not. 

For the 6000+ Anglican and Catholic schools with close links to a parish, this is a logical step - and ideal form of social justice education with its sleeves rolled up.

The benefits are many - not least, getting experience in public speaking, and having a great story about the school to send off to the local paper.

 

 You'll see below on this page the bones of a basic talk - plus some helpful hints. At a reasonable pace, it'll take around 5 minutes.  But most congregations won't object if you take more time - because you have something pretty interesting and heartwarming to share with them.

You'll want to embellish it - maybe having a team of talkers, and showing off some of your handiwork.

If you're speaking out in a Fairtrade Church or Denominational Group, you have a great opportunity to lead the renewal of the Fairtrade three goals they committed to in getting certification. 

If you're in speaking out in one not yet signed to Fairtrade, it's a great opportunity to present the case for doing so, direct to a whole congregation. (You'll probably be more persuasive than a wordy document coming out of a diocese and stuck in a pigeonhole!)
 
Your first suggested steps - anytime from now on
  If you're a school closely linked with a parish or faith community (eg Anglican or Catholic)
  • Sound out the clergy or minister on the idea of having pupils in the pulpit. (It'll be a brave one who holds back!)
  • And find out if and when the church got Fairtrade status.  You might also offer to decorate the inside and outside of the church.
  • Start to think about what and who for Fairtrade Fortnight - maybe with a little competition in school.
 If you're school not linked to a particular faith community, you might consider  something like this:
  • Get a list of local churches, and approach them with an offer to speak out for Fairtrade. 
  • You may find that many a Methodist, Baptist, or URC church or chapel will be Fairtrade - and welcoming
  • Think to forge stronger links - perhaps inviting the minister in to see your handiwork in action
  • And help them dress their building for a Fortnight
 
And here's a sort of basic talk to deliver -
to what you'll find is an appreciative congregation
   
 

Like many others, our school is for Fairtrade.  So we are here to thank you for your own support as individuals and families. 

 

We also thought you'd like to know what we're doing to mark Fairtrade Fortnight.

 

We're very proud of supporting Fairtrade.  That's something to tell your families, and neighbours, and friends, and people at work - wherever they are.

 

But we also need to convince you why it’s important for schools that churches and the people in them are just as committed to Fairtrade. 

 

Across the country, children like us learn that that Fairtrade is a movement that aims to help producers in developing countries obtain better trading conditions and promote sustainability. 

 

Fairtrade aims to ensure payment of proper prices to producers, and raising social and environmental standards.  Through Fairtrade you are making a real difference to the lives of more than 7 million farmers, workers and their families in over 50 developing countries.

 

You’ll know Fairtrade from coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, , honey, cotton, wine, clothing, chocolate, flowers, gold - and bananas.  You can buy over 4500 products with the Fairtrade mark in all sorts and sizes of retail outlets - from the biggest supermarkets to small Traidcraft stalls.  UK sales are now £1.3 billion. That’s over £20 for every person in the UK.  And it continues to grow strongly despite pressure on family budgets.

 

The Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992 by Christian Aid, CAFOD, Oxfam, Traidcraft, and the World Development Movement - later joined by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.  Many other organisations and millions of people now support its aims – not only in this country but worldwide.

 

Today in the UK, there are over 500 Fairtrade Towns and Boroughs, and 100 Fairtrade universities and colleges. 

 

Many schoolchildren like us are taught to appreciate Fairtrade at all our stages of learning about social justice. 

 

So we need to see and be reassured that our churches share and show the same appreciation. 

 

Over 4000 Churches and faith groups have said they want to show their commitment to Fairtrade.

 

To be called a Fairtrade Church, parishioners have to sign up to three simple goals.  They are not hard to observe.
 

·    We will use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which we have responsibility

·    We will move forward on using other Fairtrade products

·    We will promote Fairtrade both during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year, through events, worship and other activities whenever possible

 

If you agree with all these, please hold up your hand – like the figure on the Fairtrade symbol!

 

Thank you. 

 

(In celebration, shall we now all sing out to Westminster - with the Bing Bong Song? These are the words: We're For Fairtrade. You know the tune - it's the chimes of Big Ben: Bing Bong Bing Bong. So let's all face towards Westminster and say: Good morning Prime Minister, we have good news for you: many people of all ages in this country care greatly about the world, and show their caring through support for Fairtrade.)

 

Finally, we’ve a present for you from Fairtrade and all the people it serves across the world - their heartfelt thanks. 

 

Give yourselves a pat on the back, and say Well Done for standing up for Fairtrade once again.

 

 

 

 


A FEW HINTS ON SPEAKING TO A CONGREGATION

Well done - and many thanks for being prepared stand up and to speak out for Fairtrade.  You’ll find it good fun, good experience - and good news for your audience.

 

Here are some thoughts to keep in mind if you’re addressing a local congregation using the Just1 script or something like it. 

 

Your main purpose is to make them appreciate why it’s important for them to commit to Fairtrade.  So think of taking along something Fairtrade as a visual aid.  It might be a jar of coffee, or an inflatable banana, or a poster, or a bit of bunting, or just a big picture of the Fairtrade logo.  And at the end, you might invite the congregation to join in the Bing Bong Song.

 

If they are already a Fairtrade Church, you can invite them to renew their pledges.  If not, you can invite them to think of signing up.

 

The key thing is that you’ve a lot going for you!

  • You have a friendly audience – who like the idea of you talking to them.   

  • Your talk is very different from the usual ones by adults – including sermons.  

  • You’re not there to ask for money!  

  • You can get their attention by thanking them for what they’ve done for Fairtrade – as a church and individually - and asking them to give each other a pat on the back (which always goes down well)
    and

  •  You’ve a big success story to tell them – with up-to-date information on the value of supporting Fairtrade

  • You’ll be getting them to do something there and then: renew their pledges with a show of hands

  • You’ll probably find the parish priest wants to welcome and introduce you

You’ll probably be reading out loud from a script – just one A4 page

  • If necessary, break the script up into small paragraphs and short sentences.

  • Check out where you’ll be presenting – for example, lecterns may be already loaded with a Bible, bidding prayers and notes. 

NB1 Take your time - you don’t have to hurry.  Speak clearly and as if you are having a normal conversation.  Your aim is to let people hear and understand, not ‘get it over and done with’.  At most you’ll take less time than most sermons.

 

NB2 Speak up – you can never be too loud.  And practise keeping the volume and pitch of your voice up at the end of sentences (dropping them is a common problem with many grown-up speakers.)  People appreciate that – and it keeps them listening.

 

NB3 Pause as you move on to a new paragraph.  It’s so your words can sink in, and let the audience know you’re moving on to a new topic.  If you’re sharing the talk with others, then this will happen naturally.  And a big pause at the end is a good idea – so the audience can start applauding!

 

With best wishes – you’ll enjoy things - and many thanks again.

 
The Big Speak Out for Fairtrade
 
SPEAK SING & WRITE OUT TO WESTMINSTER SPEAK OUT TO EYES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS SPEAK OUT TO EYES INSIDE CHURCHES SPEAK OUT TO A CONGREGATION SPEAK OUT TO
SHIRTY CLERGY		 SPEAK OUT TO
OTHERS AROUND		 SPEAK OUT KOOLLY
IN SKOOL		 SPEAK OUT TO
CONTACT JUST1

SCHOOLS-LED ACTIVITIES FOR OR BEFORE FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT