CDNIS has a strong history of positive student-led community action. Our focus is on advocacy, education and raising awareness, which is fundamental to creating sustainable behavioural change and mindful and conscientious giving. To avoid overwhelming our community with too many initiatives, it is necessary to have a system that is fair for all in the form of an events calendar, which helps avoid conflicts in time and place due to multiple school-wide campaigns. All proposals and calendar bookings are managed by the Coordinator of Local and Global Engagement.
This document outlines the procedures that individual students, clubs and staff supervisors should consider when planning and conducting events related to community service.
Student Advocacy
A student advocacy campaign can be an awareness-raising event, or a combined awareness-raising and fundraising event. This means that ALL campaigns with a goal of raising money must launch an awareness-raising campaign as part of their fundraising event. Sharing with the community can happen in a variety of ways:
social media
assemblies
classroom presentations
posters (up to 10 and signed by the communications team)
message in the CDNIS FLASH
LS classroom blogs (approved by teachers)
US daily announcements
simulations & experiences
Campaign Requirements
To propose a campaign and book dates you can read the following guidelines, check the student activities calendar (below) for available times and submit your proposal using this form. Please submit at least 2 weeks before your proposed campaign dates.
Campaigns will generally be for 1 week or less, depending on the nature of the initiative. This can be negotiated with the LGE Coordinator. (Donation Drives are strictly 1-week maximum)
Use only the red donation drive containers (ask your teacher supervisor to contact FacMan at least 3 days in advance to arrange use): the containers can be placed in the: Level 9 main lobby, Level 7 near the bus area and the Level 5 Forum.
Campaigns must include the goals of the NGO or organization being supported and activities should be related to the main issues. It is the responsibility of the students involved in an advocacy campaign to be fully aware of the goals of the NGO or school organization they are supporting before presenting them to others in the community.
Fundraising guidelines (see CDNIS Fundraising Policy). Please note that all fundraising must be a component of wider education and advocacy campaign initiatives. There needs to be a clear connection between the club’s mission and goals (SDGs) and the type of fundraising event. ie: to support SDG4: Quality Education, a second-hand book sale or readathon would be appropriate, not a cupcake sale.
Clubs must identify the possible negative social and environmental impacts of their campaign ie: production of waste, exploitation of individuals or communities or reinforcing power imbalances.
Once a campaign has been approved, your teacher supervisor can email facilities management and the A/V department directly for your equipment needs.
After ALL campaigns, clubs and individuals must do a group reflection with their teacher supervisor (add to internal club minutes) and share it with the GGC Council. The following questions can be used as a guide:
What were the specific goals of this campaign (relate this to the SDGs)?
How were your goals met/not met?
What was the impact of the campaign, how did you measure this?
What strengths of this campaign will you keep, and what learnings might be helpful to consider for future events?
Share a summary of your reflection and photos with the Coordinator of Local & Global Engagement, so that we can add your contribution to the ‘Stories’ page on this “Taking Action” website.
Role of Supervisors
be aware of the requirements in this document
meet regularly with your student group
be involved in the planning of the campaign to provide guidance and quality control
directly communicate with facilities management and A/V department for equipment needs
be present during student campaigns and meetings
Role of Students
be aware of the requirements and protocols in this document
be responsible for knowing the mission & goals, including the relevant SDG focus of NGOs and student groups you work with
communicate with the staff supervisor and seek approval and support for all campaigns
be aware of and actively reduce the potential negative impacts of the campaign
Student Advocacy Campaign Application Form
The below points can be used to guide the planning of your campaign. Once it is planned and approved with your supervisor, please complete the campaign proposal form at least 2 weeks prior to your requested start date.
student group name
student leader’s name & contact
type of event (awareness-only OR awareness & fundraising)
what are the main missions/goals/objectives/SDGs of the student group?
what are the specific goals of this campaign and which SDG targets do they align with?
who is the audience/participants of your campaign?
describe exactly what will happen during your awareness campaign.
are there any potentially negative impacts ie: reinforcement of inequalities, creation of unnecessary waste or exclusion of individuals or groups
where would you like to hold your campaign?
what are your first and second preferences for dates and times?
Our focus is on advocacy, education and raising awareness, which is fundamental to creating sustainable behavioural change and mindful and conscientious giving. To avoid overwhelming our community with too many initiatives, it is necessary to have a system that is fair for all in the form of an events calendar, which helps avoid conflicts in time and place due to multiple school-wide campaigns. All proposals and calendar bookings are managed by the Coordinator of Local and Global Engagement.
