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Frequently Asked Questions
A: Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999. Immediately after the tragedy, her father Darrell began to speak around the nation and used writings and drawings from Rachel's many diaries to illustrate the need for a kinder, more compassionate nation. Today, Darrell and thirty other speakers honor Rachel's life by reaching the nation with Rachel's simple but profound message.
Q: What is the mission statement of Rachel's Challenge?
A: We exist to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.
Q: What are your organizational goals/objectives?
A: Rachel's Challenge Objectives for Schools:
- Create a safe learning environment for all students by re-establishing civility and delivering proactive anecdotes to school violence and bullying.
- Improve academic achievement by engaging students' hearts, heads and hands in the learning process.
- Provide students with social/emotional education that is both colorblind and culturally relevant.
- Train adults to inspire, equip and empower students to affect permanent positive change.
- Create an environment of kindness and compassion within the business setting.
- Empower and equip individuals through training with the ability to make a difference in their place of work.
- Inspire and motivate individuals to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.
- Impact the corporation's bottom-line results. (people, profits and revenue)
A: We are currently working on an efficiency study for the near future. So far, most of our data is anecdotal. Program Impact-to-Date in schools:
A: Rachel's Challenge does have a few other organizations that we partner with from time to time. Some of them include:
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FBL is dedicated to promoting integrity, courage and kindness by producing and distributing high quality public service announcements on TV and on radio. They have the largest billboard campaign in history; spreading their positive messages to millions of people in airports and other high traffic locations. Rachel’s Challenge is the exclusive school-based program that FBL works with; allowing us unlimited access to their professionally produced posters, daily quotes, and PSA’s. They’ve granted us the use of all of their materials in our presentations, Friends of Rachel (FOR) Program and Elementary Program including the KC Clubs. http://www.forbetterlife.org NCEC is a national leader in the development and promotion of character education in the U.S. They also provide curriculum consulting and development for Rachel’s Challenge elementary, middle school and secondary programs. In addition, they provide guidance for the creation of professional development programs for educators through the Rachel’s Challenge Professional Development Programs. Gene Bedley, the CEO of NCEC and a Milken Educator, works closely with Rachel’s Challenge by chairing and providing leadership for the Rachel’s Challenge National Advisory Board. This board consists of nationally recognized individuals who are committed to advancing Rachel’s Challenge mission and message. http://www.ethicsusa.com The NBC affiliate KTVB in Boise, Idaho provided over 1,750 PSA spots and hosted a city-wide event at the 11,000 seat Idaho Center. Doug Armstrong and his staff created and aired a number of creative commercials about Rachel’s writings and legacy. He has also been instrumental in opening doors to additional NBC affiliates in different parts of America. http://www.ktvb.com
In Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV partnered with a variety of businesses in donating PSA spots for Rachel’s Challenge events throughout central Florida. They also sponsored a Rachel's Challenge float in the Orlando Citrus Parade and provided billboards promoting school events throughout the region. One of the nation's largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies, owns and operates 20 television stations (9 in top 25 markets) and their associated websites. Belo Stations, which include affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW and MyNetwork TV, reach more than 14 percent of U.S. television households in 15 highly-attractive markets. Belo stations rank first or second in nearly all of their local markets. Belo Corporation operates nine stations in seven of the top 25 markets in the nation, with six stations located in the fast-growing, top-15 markets of Dallas/ Fort Worth, Houston, Seattle/Tacoma and Phoenix. Belo Corporation operates more than 25 websites, building on the Company's well-established local and regional brands to generate new customer relationships. Additionally, the company has leveraged its local television assets to create regional cable news channels in Texas, the Northwest and Arizona. http://www.belo.com RISD was instrumental in the creation, testing, training and continued development of the Rachel’s Challenge Elementary Program. They are the model for how Rachel’s Challenge should be implemented in an entire school district, and are a perfect example of the impact Rachel’s Challenge can have in a community. RSID pioneered a city-wide Rachel’s Rally recognizing the 123,000 documented acts of kindness of its students throughout the school year and honoring Rachel’s legacy. The event was attended by 10,000 people. http://www.rockwallisd.com
WT is a highly innovative and successful intervention program designed to teach educators, counselors, law enforcement and social workers how to effectively reach students previously viewed as unreachable. WT programs reach the smaller percentage of non-performing, non-compliant, non-engaged students, as well as students with behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. Rachel’s Challenge and WT work together to promote each other’s missions and programs. The WhyTry Program is now in use in over 4,000 schools, 500 school districts in 48 States, Canada and Australia. It has now been demonstrated in a variety of research settings to reduce truancy, improve academic success, and increase graduation rates. BU is one of the leading providers of graduate-level elective credits for educators wishing to continue their education or meet their ongoing professional certification requirements. Rachel’s Challenge partners with BU to offer Rachel’s Challenge Professional Development courses through the BU program for graduate elective credit. BU also provides on-site training credits, and graduate credits, for classes offered at the Rachel’s Challenge annual Summit and conference. Brandman University is formally known as Chapman University. http://www.brandman.edu KICKSTART KIDS is a non-profit organization with a mission to build strong moral character in our youth through martial arts. We provide a program that replaces many missing elements in our students’ lives by offering a mentoring role model, a greater chance to succeed in reaching their goals, and developing discipline through physical & mental conditioning. Most importantly, KICKSTART KIDS gives our students hope for their futures and an opportunity to believe in themselves. http://www.kick-start.org/ Madline Tees is a tee shirt company with a lot of heart and compassion for people of all walks of life and animals as well. Please check out their unique and cutting edge collections! Each sale made will result in donations to worthy recipients to help in their efforts. http://www.madlinetees.com/ |
FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER LIFE A: The tragedy at Columbine is an important part of Rachel's story, but we choose to focus on her life more than her death. We want the world to know that positive things have sprung from this event as well. Now more than ever, it is important for people to know that hope can come out of challenge and adversity. There are many circumstances in this world over which we have no control. Rachel's Challenge is something we can all do – help change the world by starting a chain reaction of kindness. It's free, it's easy and it's empowering to realize that one person can make a difference.
Q: Your presentation concentrates so much on Rachel. What about the other people who died that day?
A: While our program was inspired by Rachel, we honor and respect all of the families impacted by the events of Columbine. We have simply used Rachel's particular story as a way to help create positive change.
Q: Was Rachel a Christian?
A: Rachel was a person of faith, but that is irrelevant to our mission. We are a non-religious, non-political, non-profit organization. Kindness and compassion are a universal virtue for people of all nations, faiths and backgrounds.
A: Rachel's Challenge in a non-profit (501c3) charitable organization. Full time employees at Rachel's Challenge, including Mr. Scott, are paid in accordance with the generally accepted practices for non-profit organizations. We want our staff to be able to pay the bills, but no-one at Rachel's Challenge will ever get rich working here. This is monitored both by the government (who issues the 501c3 non-profit status) and by our board of directors; whose responsibility it is to govern our actions and make sure we are acting with the utmost integrity.
Q: How can I get another banner?
A: Visit the prep area HERE or email product@rachelschallenge.org.
Q: When will we get our resource box?
A: 2-4 weeks before presentation in most cases
Q: Who needs to be at the FOR training?
A: It is open to 100 students. You can either have a sign-up sheet, pre-select or allow anyone to go that wants to. Also, 1 adult per 10 students should be in attendance.
Q: Where should I display the banner for kids to sign?
A: In an area where students will be able to congregate without causing a traffic jam. It can be available after the assembly for the rest of the day to give students plenty of time to sign.
Q: Being a FOR/Chain Links Program do we get a discount on Rachel's Challenge product?
A: All schools will be able to get product at a discounted rate using the product post card that’s located in your resource box.
A: Please contact your original marketer so an addendum can be issued or call 1-877-895-7060 and press 0 to talk to a customer care representative if you are unsure who your marketer is.
Q: Will I be able to get a hold of the presenter if something comes up?
A: Your presenter will contact you 12-24 hours before your scheduled event when he/she is in town. You can call your Program Coordinator or your Marketer if anything comes up.
Q: Can I get the presenter's cell phone number?
A: We do not give out our presenter's personal information, but he/she will contact you 12-24 hours before the event. If you need to contact the speaker, please go through your Program Coordinator.
Q: Can you tell me about the presenter who will be coming to our event?
A: Please visit the presenter bio page HERE to find out more information about your presenter. Please note that presenters are subject to change up until a few days before your event or in an emergency.
Q: Would the speaker prefer a wireless or corded microphone?
A: Our speakers prefer a wired microphone as it is more reliable. If you have to have wireless, please make sure extra mics and batteries are on hand.
Q: What tech requirements do we need for the training session?
A: Please look in your Rachel's Challenge Program Preparation Guide for a full list of presentation technical requirements. The guide is also available on the DVD in your resource box as well as in the Event Prep section of our website, HERE. For more specific questions please contact your program coordinator.
Q: What do you mean by a projector? An overhead projector? What if we don't have one?
A: Rachel's Challenge requires a projector that can project computer images and video. An overhead projector will not work. The presenter will bring their own projector, but we request that you have one available as a back up. We require at least 3000 lumens. Please see the technical requirements for more information.
Q: What if our screen is not 10 by 10 feet?
A: Please use the biggest screen available. You may also consider renting one from another school or business in your area.
Q: How do we get the word out about the community event?
A: There is a Community Event Invitation available online in the program planning part of the website. You may also use pictures and design your own flyer to be sent home with students and hung on bulletin boards in your school and community.
Q: Are there any activities we can use before/after the presentation?
A: There are pre and post-event materials and worksheets available for teachers to use in their classrooms to prepare students for Rachel's Challenge. They are on the DVD and on the program planning section of the website.
Q: What will happen during the FOR training session?
A: The presenter will give ideas on projects and events that will maintain the culture of kindness and compassion in your school and community.
