Farewells & Welcomes: Fair Trade Fellows
As the Fair Trade movement continues to grows across the U.S., we are more grateful than ever for the strength of our regional networks. In the Mid Atlantic, New England, and Southern California, these networks bring together town, college, school, and congregation campaigns to learn from and collaborate with one another. And none of this would be possible without the energy and dedication of our regional teams, led by our amazing Fair Trade Campaigns Fellows!
Our 2015-16 Fellows have just wrapped up their time with us, passing the reins to their successors. It’s a bittersweet transition – we’re lucky to have amazing individuals on board for the year ahead, and while we’ll certainly miss those who are leaving we can’t wait to see the great things they’ll go on to do.
Thank you and Farewell
Ali Carroll, 2015-16 Fair Trade Communities Fellow, New England
My time as a Communities Fellow with the New England Region was such a wonderful experience. I was able to grow and develop in ways I was not expecting when I began in this role a year ago. Working with a such dedicated leadership team, and passionate campaigners across New England has taught me so much about grassroots movements and allowed me to further develop my skills in volunteer management, communications, and community organizing. From blog posts, to working with campaigners, facilitating digital roundtables, meeting advocates at conferences, and putting on a regional conference, this last year had been so incredibly rewarding. Let alone the joy of seeing the impact a Fair Trade Campaign can have on a community! This position has been one of the most helpful in preparing me for a career in social justice advocacy. Thank you, Fair Trade Campaigns!
Jackie Cummings, 2015-16 Fair Trade Colleges & Universities Fellow, New England
This past year has been a truly incredible experience. I know what it is like to be in the campaigner’s shoes and to be able to use that experience to help others has been really amazing. Working with the Fair Trade Campaigns team, both with New England and Fair Trade Colleges & Universities, has been the best. I’ve learned so much from each and every one of the team members and you have all made my experience this year that much better. From the regional conference to blog and bulletin construction to campaign support, I am confident to pass the torch on to the next round of fellows. I look forward to my continued effort in the Fair Trade movement and I am excited to see what is in store next!
Nisha Bhatt, 2015-16 Fair Trade Communities Fellow, Southern California
The Communities Fellow position has specifically helped me grow in developing my skills and experience of working closely with a team and volunteers whilst working remotely on various grassroots campaign outreach and support, communications, and planning a regional conference! Some highlights have been leading a communications committee, writing engaging blog content, and strategic planning towards a successful regional conference where I also led a social media presentation and speaker panel.
Rosalie Plofchan, 2015-16 Fair Trade Colleges & Universities Fellow, Southern California
I am grateful to have been able to work with such amazing, passionate, and dedicated people at Fair Trade Campaigns and in the Southern CA Regional Network. I’d been campaigning at my university for two and a half years before beginning this fellowship, but my relationship to and understanding of the Fair Trade movement changed completely due to this fellowship. I was able to learn so much professionally, but the relationships I built and strengthened over the last 14 months mean the most to me. This network is strong and supportive! (I’m eating pancakes with Fair Trade syrup right now! 🙂 )
Tori Curbelo, 2015-16 Fair Trade Colleges & Universities Fellow, Mid Atlantic
It’s been such an unforgettable pleasure to work with communities who are eager to push the Fair Trade movement in their own communities in the Mid Atlantic region. I’ve seen first hand that all of us as advocates are making a difference. We’ve had campaigns declare and move through the goals in this past year alone, we had campaigns successfully participate in a number of our programs such as Fair Trade Your Finals, and it was great bringing so many campaigns together for the regional conference. I am eager to see what this year will bring for the Mid Atlantic region!
Check out these great resources from our 2015-16 Fellows
Fair Trade Campaigns YouTube Channel relaunch
Social Media Guide: Instagram Best Practices
Social Media for Campaigning Presentation
Fair Trade Congregations: Mentor a New Campaign
Fair Trade Congregations: Three Months to Declaration (Oct-Dec & Feb-Apr)
Meet our 2016-17 Regional Fellows
Aman Bardia, 2016-17 Fair Trade Communities Fellow, Mid Atlantic
Aman is a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where he studied economics and theater. While on a project trip to Guatemala, he was exposed to the enormous differences in the standard of living between villages that have Fair Trade cooperatives and those that do not, introducing him to its transformative potential. he was also involved in the unionization campaigns on his college campus, working with Students for Worker’s Justice. [email protected]
Charlotte Whiteman, 2016-17 Fair Trade Colleges & Universities Fellow, Mid Atlantic
Charlotte came to Fair Trade Campaigns as a passionate advocate dedicated to environmental stewardship and social justice. Charlotte has always beenan eco-enthusiast hence her major in Environmental Studies, and was introduced to Fair Trade when she saw Paul Rice speak at the 2014 ABC Continuity Forum in Miami, FL. Soon after, she declared a minor in Social Entrepreneurship and it was written from there. During her time at Rollins College, Charlotte worked as a Fair Trade Committee member and a campus Sustainability Coordinator, for which she received an “Outstanding Campus Environmental Advocate” award upon graduation. She most recently worked as an intern in the Dominican Republic helping local entrepreneurs give other community members access to needs based commodities. Now as a recent grad living outside Philadelphia, Charlotte is enjoying farming, painting, running, surfing, and simple living. [email protected]
Isabel Havens, 2016-17 Fair Trade Colleges & Universities Fellow, Southern California
Isabel is pursuing a double major in Human Biology & Society and International Development Studies at UCLA. Growing up in Berkeley, Isabel was introduced to Fair Trade from a young age. After hearing the CEO of Fair Trade USA, Paul Rice, speak at her high school, she and a few other students embarked on the journey to become one of the first Fair Trade high schools in the U.S. Wishing to continue her involvement with Fair Trade and further her knowledge of social justice and human rights, Isabel will be the Southern California Colleges & Universities Fellow for this next year. Aside from her hours attempting to study in the library, Isabel enjoys long-distance running, reading, traveling, and exploring all of LA’s trendy food spots. [email protected]
Nickolas Faynshteyn, 2016-17 Fair Trade Colleges & Universities Fellow, New England
Nickolas first got involved in the Fair Trade movement his freshmen year at the University of Massachusetts Boston through the Fair Trade Club on campus. Beginning first as a club member and taking over as club president his senior year, Nickolas has helped bring UMass Boston just a few steps away from becoming declared the first Fair Trade University in the City of Boston. Nickolas is a graduate student at Northeastern University pursuing a Master’s in Sociology in hopes of working to fight for environmental justice and sustainability within the community development sector. [email protected]
Ryan Knipple, 2016-17 Fair Trade Communities Fellow, New England
Ryan is a political science and French double major with a minor in gender and sexuality studies at Siena College (a Fair Trade College!). They first became involved in Fair Trade after seeing the work that students on campus were doing to support the initiative. As Executive Coordinator of Siena’s Fair Trade movement for the past two years, Ryan has helped sponsor regional conferences, educate students, and build partnerships within the local community. In February 2016, they had the opportunity to visit Guatemala to learn more about Fair Trade cooperatives. After college, they hope to find a job in the nonprofit sector, continuing to promote values of equality and justice. [email protected]
Please join us in wishing our 2015-16 Fellows a fond farewell,
and welcoming our 2016-17 Fellows.
Many thanks to you all for your passion and commitment to Fair Trade!
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