STANDFast Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is STANDFast and why does STAND hold it annually?
STANDFast is a fundraising event that asks participants to fast from one luxury item for the day and donate the money that they would have spent on those items to protecting civilians in Darfur and Burma. Despite our success in raising money for civilian protection in the past, civilians are still at risk and even suffering increased attacks in some areas. With even more protection projects available through GI-NET's program, we have a real opportunity to ensure lasting security, not just immediate protection, and to continue our support of civilian protection efforts Darfur and Burma.
2) Do I have to hold a fast? What if people at my school don't want to fast?
Nope, you don't have to hold a fast - you can do just about anything to raise money for STANDFast, including a party for peace, benefit concert or dinner, even a bake sale! For more suggestions check out our STANDFast Fundraising Tips here. You can also encourage students to participate in STANDFast by giving up a luxury item other than food and donating the money they would have spent on those items to civilian protection.
3) What is civilian protection and why should we donate to it instead of to humanitarian aid?
Humanitarian aid and relief operations provide food, shelter, medical care, and other important services to civilians who have fled attacks or whose lives have been destroyed by violence. In situations of genocide and related crimes against humanity, this is not enough. In addition to providing the services above, we must also find ways to protect people — physically — against the perpetrators trying to harm them. In other words, it is important to continue trying to “stop the dying” that occurs after attacks, but we also need to make every effort to “stop the killing” through protection activities. Civilian protection also provides the minimal levels of security needed for the humanitarian aid that does exist to actually reach and benefit civilians.
For more information on the Genocide Intervention Network's Civilian Protection program, please visit http://www.genocideintervention.net/protection.
4) How much money has DarfurFast raised in the past?
Thanks to your efforts and activists around the world, over the past three years, STAND’s DarfurFast has raised more than $500,000 for civilian protection in Darfur.
5) What has the money been used for in the past?
GI-NET's Civilian Protection Program is a flexible program that is constantly monitored and tailored to fit the needs of the civilian populations it is meant to protect. In the past, funds raised through STAND's DarfurFast and other fundraising initiatives have supported firewood patrols in Darfur that provide protection to women forced to leave the refugee camps every morning to collect firewood. This money has also funded additional programs such as providing income generating projects that allow families to buy firewood instead of being forced to collect it outside the camps each day. In addition to short term protection projects, such as patrols that provide immediate security to these civilians, the Program has been able to invest in longer-term solutions as well, such as helping to train and deploy UN Police Units on the ground in Darfur who are capable of deterring attacks altogether.
Fore more information on GI-NET's Civilian Protection projects, please visit please visit http://www.genocideintervention.net/protection/projects.
6) Why is this no longer called DarfurFast? Can I still hold a DarfurFast?
DarfurFast is now called STANDFast because the money raised will go to GI-NET's Civilian Protection Program, which now has the opportunity to implement effective projects in Burma, in addition to continuing and improving protection efforts in Darfur. Though some chapters may still want to hold a DarfurFast, we encourage students world-wide to take this opportunity to stand up and fundraise for both Darfur and Burma.
7) Do I have to hold my event at the same time as the national one?
No, you don't; chapters are still encouraged to participate in STANDFast even if they cannot organize events at the same time as the national one. However, participating in STANDFast on the same day as hundreds of chapters across the nation and world is a great display of solidarity, so we encourage you join us and STANDFast on December 3rd.
8) Where can I find materials, information about education, advocacy, or fundraising ideas?
STAND has a ton of STANDFast resources and materials for you and your chapter. Check them out here!
9) If I want my money to specifically go to the program in Darfur/Burma can I request that?
The money that is donated to GI-NET's Civilian Protection Program through STANDFast and any other fundraising initiative supports all operating projects that effectively provide real protection to the civilians who need it the most. Because of the flexibility of this program and it's ability to respond to changes on the ground given the needs of civilians, we cannot direct specific amounts of money towards specific projects. However, we can guarantee that the allocation of funds to particular projects is based on the effectiveness of and need for those projects in Darfur and Burma.
10) Who do I make the check out to and where do I send it?
You can donate for STANDFast starting December 3rd online at http://standnow.org/campaigns/standfast/donate.
Please make your check or money order out to the Genocide Intervention Network and write in the memo line of the check or in a letter accompanying the check that it is a STANDFast Donation. Mail to:
STANDFast
Genocide Intervention Network
1333 H Street, NW, First Floor
Washington, DC 20005
11) What if my chapter can't raise hundreds of dollars?
No worries! Every dollar counts. Your donation still makes a difference, so please consider participating and donating whatever your chapter can raise.
12) By what date should the money reach GI-NET in order to be dedicated exclusively to Civilian Protection?
The earlier the better, but if your check or money order is clearly marked as a STANDFast donation, or as a Civilian Protection donation, the money will go directly towards GI-NET's Civilian Protection program until January 31, 2009 to allow plenty of time for you or your chapter to turn in your donation.
