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 Hugh Gibbons of Just1 says:
Like other Just1 activities, Weigh Up is designed to be done at minimal-cost
- for everyone concerned.
By having as much as possible on-line without
loads of wasted paper, things are economical and eco-friendly. For
example, schools will just need a 2nd class stamp when they write to their
MP at the House of Commons - or even e-mail him or her!
The significant costs are in setting up and
running the big on-line database of schools ratings and rankings, so that
anyone can easily get at the information about their MP - or any other.
We're talking maybe thousands of schools taking part. So even this
simple IT is something beyond the minute Just1 budget. So I've
arranged something simple that should suit everyone.
One key element is that nothing comes to Just1.
There'll be an independent central fund to which MPs and people can send in a
voluntary contribution on-line. The probable route will be via
MyCharityPage.com.
This fund will be used to pay the IT costs.
Anything left over will be distributed in a sort of mini-lottery among
participating schools for them to use in support of a project of their
choice with another school overseas. (See an outline below).
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A friendly hand for Just1
The central fund to pay Weigh Up IT costs will lodge with the charity
Jubilee Debt Campaign. This is the highly respected and long-established group
campaigning against oppressive debt and other forms of injustice.
Jubilee Debt Campaign is a coalition, with
over 80 national organisations in its membership, as well as local and
regional groups. These organisations provide vital support to the debt
campaign
All Weigh Up contributions will go direct as a
donation to JDC via the on-line
charity-giving organisation. They'll be stewards for the fund, and make the IT payment
when due. JDC will get a little in return: any Gift Aid from individual
donations. This will be of help with their own Jubilee Schools
and other education projects.
And now, who and how much? Well, here's the
one-price tariff: £20.11.
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If you are an MP, you'll be invited to
donate £20.11 when you register your willingness to join in WeighUp.
This may come from the MP personally, or their constituency association, or
party, or an individual wellwisher.
-
If you are a school or college,
you'll also be welcome to donate £20.11. This might come from an
individual, or passing the hat
around in the staff room or a Governors meeting.
-
And if you are any other individual or
group or organisation liking the idea of WeighUp,
then £20.11 or anything else will be welcome.
And when the IT bill's been paid, and there's any money left over?
Here's something you'll like a lot.
For each of the top 10-ranked MPs, we'll draw
out the name of one school in their constituency which has joined in rating
them. They'll share one eleventh of the spare money. But
there's a proviso. They money has to go on a project of the school's choice
- with any overseas school felt to be in need. You choose.
And it may be that your MP will be asked to
bring along the cheque to present to you. It'll be a good opportunity
to share some really good news about good citizens with students, staff,
parents, and the local community.
And the other eleventh? It's a little
thank-you from everyone to me. I'd like it to go to a UK charity
running children's villages in India. Yes?
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Jubilee Debt Campaign
members include
ActionAid
Baptist Union of Great Britain
British Humanist Association
CAFOD
Christian Aid
Christian Socialist Movement
Commitment for Life
Evangelical Alliance
Food for the Hungry
General Assembly of Unitarian
and Free Christian Churches
Health Poverty Action
Islamic Relief
Jubilee Scotland
Kingscare
Liberal Judaism
Methodist Relief and
Development Fund
Movement for Reform Judaism
NASUWT
National Justice & Peace Network
National Union of Teachers
New Economics Foundation
ONE
Oxfam GB
Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Share the World's Resources SPEAK
Student Christian Movement
Tearfund
Tools for Self Reliance
Trades Union Congress
Tzedec
UNISON
United Nations Association
United Reformed Church
University and College Union
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
War on Want
Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom
World Development Movement
World Vision
For more
information on each of these, click here
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