What do you need from FTC to make the 2015-2016 school year great?
The 2014-2015 school year was a smashing success for Colleges, Universities, and Schools (check out the highlights on the blog here http://bit.ly/1On5A6Z). The summer days are numbered and fall is fast approaching. For campaigns that work on an academic calendar, things are gearing up again. What new resources (powerpoints, fact sheets, how-to’s) do you need to make this school year even better?
ICLEI Fair Trade purchasing doc
ICLEI is a city sustainability membership organization. They are promoting this nice document on city purchasing of fair trade… https://www.fairtrade.net/fileadmin/user_upload/content/Buy_Fair_Guide.pdf
What kind of events does your campus hold for Fair Trade?
How does your campus celebrate and promote fair trade? What have you done in the past that worked really well? How did you get students and staff to take time out of their schedules to participate? How do you recruit new members and share the fair trade mission? We’d love to hear them all, and even brainstorm some new ones! Join the conversation in the comments below!
Check out the new Women’s Empowerment infographic ?
Have you seen the new Women’s Empowerment infographic done by Fair Trade Certified yet? If not, make sure you check it out here: http://www.befair.org/
Did you know that women produce 50% of the world’s food, but only own 2% of the land? The graphic illustrates what women farmers typically have to endure, and how fair trade helps empower them and leads to a thriving community.
This is a great graphic to share in a newsletter, email, Facebook, or even to print out! Tell us how you’re using it to educate about women’s roles in farming and fair trade!
Don’t forget to claim your FREE Fair Trade Goody Bag!!
Hey Folks! It seems that not everyone submitted their WFTD results this year. Please respond to this question to claim your FREE Fair Trade Goody Bag!
1. Campaign Name
2. The name of the Supermarket Chain Targeted
3. How many stores you plan to submit product request cards to
4. The best name and address to send your kit to
What Fair Trade products does your school use or serve?
Many campaigns struggle to get Fair Trade products available at their school. If you’ve had success with this goal, or are currently working on it, share your struggles with other campaigns. What kind of products are served? Where are they served? What was your biggest success? What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them? What challenges are you still facing? For more information, read the latest blog post, Work Your Way Through Goal 3 , here: https://fairtradecampaigns.org/2015/04/school-tip-source-fair-trade-products/
Do you want a customized Product Request Cards for World Fair Trade Day?
Howdy Campaigners!
World Fair Trade Day is upon us and Fair Trade Campaigns wants you to collect product request cards for fruits and vegetables in your community or coffee and tea on your campus!
Tell us what establishment you are targeting and what you will be doing to collect product request cards in your community by April 16th and we’ll customize them for you!
Please find details of our World Fair Trade Day program here: https://fairtradecampaigns.org/events/world-fair-trade-day-2015/
Who is working on a Towns Procurement Policy in 2015?
Hey all,
Let me know if you are working to pass a Fair Trade Towns Procurement Policy or Ordinance in 2015. What is working for you to get the ear of officials? Need some help in your procurement efforts? To learn from a campaign that is hitting on all procurement cylinders, follow Houston.
Connecting with schools to start campaigns?
One of FTC’s focuses for this year is our Fair Trade Schools campaigns. I’m wondering if your campaign has tried to inspire a fair trade school in your area? How did you make contact, and what are you doing to help them with their campaign? If you haven’t made contact yet, what are some brainstorming ideas you have for reaching out and determining interest?
How do you start a FT social media page?
Fair Trade Villanova is looking to start a Facebook page for our efforts. What are your suggestions? What material receives the most attention on your page? What are some best practices in creating a social media presence? Does anyone have any specific “launch” ideas?
Does anyone have a new business packet
Often when we learn of a new business, especially such as a coffee shop, we find that they may be well into the process of deciding on their coffee source. I’m thinking it would be good to have an introductory packet to get to the owners as they make their decisions and plans. Does any one have such a packet that is doing a good job in encouraging offering Fair Trade products. If so, would you be willing to share.
How do you recruit new members?
With the new year fast approaching, I was wondering how everyone recruits new members to their campaigns? I’ve tried some of the usuals: emails, and newsletters, but maybe you guys all have some creative ideas on how to recruit.
How to Incorporate Fair Trade Handicrafts in College Store
I am interested in how I would go about getting fair trade handicrafts, gifts, etc. in our college bookstore. I know other fair trade colleges have these types of products such as lanyards, shirts, scarves, etc. from organizations like Mayan Hands and Alta Gracia (which I know we have Alta Gracia shirts). I am trying to incorporate products from Jolom Mayaetik, the cooperative that one of my professors works with from Chiapas, Mexico. I know that most bookstores on campuses may have specific vendors they have contracts with and it may interfere with those contracts.
How to attract media interest for an event?
In Bethlehem NY we have a long-running event, a Black Friday Fair Trade Market, featuring 20 vendors selling beautiful handmade crafts. Last year we struggled to find a new angle to attract local media interest. Can anyone suggest ways to draw renewed interest and create a “story” around this event?
Interactive Tabling Activities
Has anyone found or created some really good, short, interactive activities for tabling at events?We are looking for some interactive, educational, and fun activities to have at our tabling events, such as a fun quiz-type activity or matching game.
How to reach out to different school departments about expanding Fair Trade education?
Does anyone have any first hand experience about talking with different university departments requesting them to use more fair trade products or expand their education into fair trade?
Is anyone an AASHE member?
Apparently AASHE has sustainable procurement guidance that includes Fair Trade… http://www.aashe.org/resources/campus-fair-trade-practices-policies. Be nice to see this document.
Does anyone have any Fair Trade activities for children?
Our campaign is participating in “Teaneck Night Out”, part of National Night Out, an event geared especially for families. In addition to our normal brochures that we have at our events, we’d like to have some activities at our table for children to do. I’m thinking something along the lines of a word search, something to color, and make something a little more mature for older children. Does anyone have any suggestions of resources we could use?