Lead for Change Blog

Point Loma Passes Fair Trade Fund!

July 18, 2013

  This May, 80% of the student body at Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego, CA) voted to voluntarily increase their tuition by $3 per semester in the name of Fair Trade. This vote officially made Point Loma Nazarene (PLNU) the first university in the United States to voluntarily increase tuition rates for Fair Trade […]

Purchasing Policies Webinar – Save the Date!

July 17, 2013

Attend and learn more about best practices to consider when influencing purchasers! In 2012 we rolled out purchasing policies in two towns and  and two colleges in the U.S. and have used the results to construct new resources to increase institutional Fair Trade purchasing. Following the testing of procurement policies, Fair Trade Campaigns evaluated findings […]

Regional Gatherings- New England & Southern California

July 12, 2013

  Fair Trade Campaigns is hosting Regional Conferences this Fall in Southern California & New England and you’re invited! We’ll be gathering together our Fair Trade Towns and Fair Trade Colleges & Universities organizers for an inspirational gathering on how to grow our campaign, support each other, and learn from our peers. Mark your calendars and […]

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: […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

Assumption College: Campaign Spotlight

March 15, 2013

by: Colleen Putzel (originally in Le Provocateur as “AC Approved as Fair Trade College”) Over the past three years Assumption College has worked tirelessly to become approved as a Fair Trade College.  On Tuesday, February 12th, Assumption officially celebrated this achievement joining the ranks of other Fair Trade Colleges and Universities around the world.  Students, faculty […]

Meet the new Fair Trade Campaigns Interns – Kelly and Ellen!

February 6, 2013

We’re pleased to welcome two new interns, Kelly Jackson and Ellen Watlington, to the Fair Trade Campaigns team! Kelly and Ellen have been working over the last couple weeks to perform outreach and support for our campaign organizers and develop some exciting content for the Fair Trade Towns USA and Fair Trade Colleges and Universities […]

The Toolkit (New Resource) is Here!

January 18, 2013

Over the last few months Fair Trade Colleges and Universities has been creating a Toolkit for organizers and advocates. The Toolkit serves to link together various resources and provides a thorough overview of what it means to organize a Fair Trade Campaign on campus. Now that it’s here, open it up, explore, learn and share! Within the Toolkit […]

Get Ready for Valentine’s Day!

January 14, 2013

If you are looking for a great opportunity to host your first Fair Trade event of the year then Valentine’s Day may be your best bet. Now is the perfect time to begin reaching out and planning your Fair Trade Valentine’s Day Celebrations. Below we have compiled a number of ideas and resources to help […]

Hand in Hand Soap Giveaway!

January 7, 2013

We’re giving away 5 bars of sustainable, Fair Trade suds with our friends from Hand in Hand soap! Check out this great company and enter your chance to win at the bottom of this page. The bath & body brand, Hand in Hand Soap was founded by couple, Bill Glaab & Courtney Apple.  During research, […]