Lead for Change Blog News

Regional Gatherings – New England & Southern California

July 12, 2013

Fair Trade Campaigns is hosting two Regional Gatherings this Fall in Southern California & New England and you’re invited!   Fair Trade Town and Fair Trade College & University campaign organizers and supporters will come together to establish regional support networks, build and grow our campaigns, and learn from our peers.   Mark your calendars […]

Year in Review (2012-2013)

June 21, 2013

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the achievements of this past year. The Numbers: At the end of August 2012 Fair Trade Colleges and Universities started off its 5th year with: 10 Declared Colleges and Universities  30 Active Campaigns As of June there are now 14 Declared Colleges and Universities (40% increase) 69 Active Campaigns (130% increase!) Overall the number of campaigns has more than […]

Case Study: Forming Strategic Partnerships

June 20, 2013

By Dr. Thomas Kelly, Professor Creighton University & Parker Townley   Make use of campus institutions Partnerships can help guide and provide structure for students looking to organize around Fair Trade. Here are three examples of institutions that have helped organize and house student movements in the past: Notre Dame University: The Center for Social Concerns Creighton University: […]

Case Study: Engage Your Town

June 20, 2013

Case Study of how La Mesa, CA accomplished their third goal, Engage Your Town, and their tips for other campaigns.  Nancy Ryan La Mesa, CA   What was your goal when tasked with this criteria? Our goal was to reach out to organizations and faith based communities within our city with the overall purpose of […]

New Video Resource: ‘The Merits of Fair Trade’

June 17, 2013

Over the last few months we have unveiled Organizing Toolkits, an Infographic and now a fun and educational animated video. This short video, entitled ‘The Merits of Fair Trade’, takes viewers through an engaging overview of Fair Trade. Use it to educate and make the case for Fair Trade in your community. Click here to […]

New Video Resource: 'The Merits of Fair Trade'

June 17, 2013

Over the last few months we have unveiled Organizing Toolkits, an Infographic and now a fun and educational animated video. This short video, entitled ‘The Merits of Fair Trade,’ takes viewers through an engaging overview of Fair Trade. Use it to educate and make the case for Fair Trade in your community. Click here to watch: http://bit.ly/10jjFhH […]

Fair Traders Support a Refocus on Relationships

May 30, 2013

Last month’s events in Bangladesh – the collapse of a garment factory which killed over 1,100 people and a fire at a nearby garment factory which killed 8 people – have reminded those who support ethical business practices of the disasters that can result when supply chains are too long and relationships are too distant. […]

Campaign Spotlight: Fond du Lac, WI

May 17, 2013

Fair Trade has been part of the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin landscape for several years, with First Presbyterian Church, Holy Family Catholic Community, and Pilgrim United Church of Christ leading the way by selling and serving Fair Trade products.  The Just Fare Market opened at First Presbyterian Church; in spite of limited space and open […]

New Organizing Toolkits!

May 15, 2013

Over the last few months the Fair Trade Campaigns team has been hard at work building Toolkits for organizers and advocates. Dozens of campaigns across the country have contributed to create a simple document linking together resources and providing a thorough overview of what it means to organize a Fair Trade Campaign. Now that it’s here, open it up, explore, learn, and share! Within the Toolkits you will […]

Infographic: The Impact of a Fair Trade Campaign

May 13, 2013

Our infographic illustrates the elements of a Fair Trade Campaign and correlates the increasing positive impact your work has on communities in developing countries as you advocate for Fair Trade. Display the infographic at your events as an eye-catching and easily digestible explanation of a Fair Trade Campaign for current and prospective supporters.  

New Infographic, Toolkits, and Short Video Are Here!

May 7, 2013

We are excited to bring you three new materials to support your campaign!  Below, you will find an organizing toolkit, infographic, and short video (coming soon!) to help your efforts and inspire your community. These resources will provide you with insight from fellow organizers around the country and invigorate your outreach efforts.   Fair Trade […]

Announcing Fair Trade Campaigns

May 3, 2013

Dear Fair Trade Campaign Organizer –   We are pleased to announce the launch of the Fair Trade Campaigns umbrella, the result of an extensive, collaborative planning process of Fair Trade Towns USA and Fair Trade Colleges & Universities.  Fair Trade Campaigns will allow for better collaboration among organizations working to raise awareness and drive […]

Support Moms Around the World this Mother's Day

May 1, 2013

Many of the farmers, workers and artisans producing the goods we consume are Moms working to support their families. This Mother’s Day you can find a great way to both honor your family here in the US as well as support a global community of mothers striving to create opportunities for their family. Take a […]

Fair Trade Your Everyday

April 18, 2013

Here are some quick to pamper yourself the Fair Trade way, or easily incorporate Fair Trade into your weekend plans!   Spa Day or Night Every woman deserves a spa treatment.  Fair Trade is a perfect time to do so.  Why not treat yourself and friends to a facial, manicure/pedicure and include aromatherapy products? Here […]

We're on tour with a Fair Trade Coffee Farmer & Artisan!

April 18, 2013

We’re on tour with Miguel Mateo, Fair Trade Coffee Farmer, and Gloria Chonay, Fair Trade Basket Weaver, b6th from Guatemala. We’ll be visiting Fair Trade Campaigns along the Eastern seaboard giving the0 a chance to meet the beneficiaries of Fair Trade first-hand. We want everyone who advocates and purchases Fair Trade to meet these amazing […]

Fair Trade Your Finals – Host a Fair Trade Study Break!

March 21, 2013

Tell about Your Plans and get Rewarded Here’s your chance to get hooked up with some great, free materials for that final Fair Trade Event of the year! A number of generous donations have allowed us to support campaigns hosting a Fair Trade Study Break. The first 18 campaigns to post a comment to this blog […]

Millennium Develpment Goals Webinar & World Fair Trade Day

March 20, 2013

Join 18 countries in collecting signatures from elected officials for World Fair Trade Day! The Millennium Development Goals come to an end in 2015.  Leaders of the world will come together at the next United Nations gathering in New York on September 23, 2013 to work on a new global development framework after 2015.  The […]

Kickin’ it Series – Live Video Chats with Fair Trade Farmer and Artisan

March 19, 2013

This April & May we’re going on tour with Miguel Mateo, Fair Trade Coffee Farmer, and Gloria Chonay, Fair Trade Basket Weaver, from Guatemala.  We’ll be visiting Fair Trade Campaigns along the Eastern seaboard giving their campaigns a chance to meet the beneficiaries of Fair Trade first-hand.  We want everyone who advocates and purchases Fair […]