Lead for Change Blog
Organizer Spotlight: Laura Mullin – Winter Park, FL
June 28, 2012It is so empowering to be a part of a worldwide campaign. I hope that one day Fair Trade is not just a limited option, but instead the opposite; the only option. I am excited to continue to develop relationships with those dedicated to the fair trade movement. I am proud to know that I have had something to do with the awareness of fair trade in my own community, and I am ready to see this movement grow into something beautiful!
The National Team Grows!
June 8, 2012In February 2012, Fair Trade Towns USA invited four new members to join its National Steering Committee: Joan Harper, Scott Tess, Ashley Fessler, and Elizabeth O’Connell. Each member brings creative ideas and new perspectives to the table, continuing to spread the Fair Trade movement throughout the country with their unique and invaluable experiences. Prior to these fresh faces, the committee consisted of a team of seven people from various backgrounds, such as Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Resource Network, declared or in-progress Fair Trade Towns, faith-based organizations, and more, all cooperating and working towards the similar vision of a Fair Trade nation. You can find stories and biographies of all current members of the National Steering Committee here.
Campaign Spotlight: La Mesa, California
June 5, 2012The Fair Trade movement is gaining momentum in La Mesa and throughout San Diego County, thanks to the La Mesa Fair Trade Town steering committee. The word is spreading that, simply by our consumer choices, we can make a difference for the environment, the marginalized and local businesses.
Campaign: Bethlehem, New York
May 24, 2012By Anna McMahon, Lead Organizer, Fair Trade Bethlehem The Fair Trade Bethlehem NY campaign began in May 2009 with a Fair Trade coffee-sampling outside one of our independent cafes. Since then we have expanded our efforts in many directions: organising public events; taking presentations to local schools and community groups; generating media interest and […]
Fair Trade USA and Partners Deliver Record Impact in 2011
May 24, 2012Community Development Premiums Empower and Improve Fair Trade Farming Communities; Impact Driven by Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration By: Fair Trade USA Fair Trade USA recently released its 2011 Almanac, an annual publication which provides detailed information on the supply and impact of Fair Trade Certified products. According to the Almanac, in 2011 farmers and farm workers […]
Giveaway: Kopali Organics
May 21, 2012Win 1 of 3 FREE bags of Fair Trade Certified Kopali Chocolate Bananas! Find out how at the bottom of this post. Kopali Organics: What’s In A Name? Did you know Kopali (ko*pah*lee) is an ancient Mexican Nahuatl word meaning “incense”, particularly identified with the forms of tree sap resin used as a […]
Fair Trade Bananas and Young Leadership in the Dominican Republic
April 28, 2012Margo with COOPROBATA Board and staff Did you know that the Dominican Republic is the largest exporter of organic bananas? In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country […]
Giveaway: Global Mamas
April 24, 2012History Global Mamas would not exist without the dedication of co-founders Renae Adam and Kristin Johnson who met in Ghana during their tenure in the US Peace Corps from 1992-95. Throughout those years they collaborated on many projects working to empower women. Both Renae and Kristin fell in love with Ghana, its people, and the […]
Day 6 at COOPROBATA: Banana’s that protect the people and preserve the planet
April 18, 2012In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]
Day 5 at FEDECARES: The Tastiest Bean
April 16, 2012In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]
Day 4 at FEDECARES: Discovering the Social Premium at a General Assembly Meeting
April 14, 2012In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free […]
Day 3 at Alta Gracia Apparel Factory: “This is a Dream”
April 13, 2012In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]
Day 2 at CONACADO: From cocoa pod to delicious bean!
April 11, 2012In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic where they built the people-to-people ties that make working for Fair Trade so meaningful. The Travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their […]
Day 1 at CONACADO: Creating Conscious Farmers of Reality
April 10, 2012In March, Fair Trade Towns USA sent 12 volunteer organizers on a 7 day learning tour of Fair Trade farms in Dominican Republic. The travelers came from town and city campaigns all over the country to see the effects of their hard work, visiting cocoa, coffee and banana farms, as well as a sweat-free apparel […]
RECORDING: Strategic Planning Webinar
March 22, 2012Fair Trade Towns USA produced its first webinar of the year last night on Strategic Planning and the audio/video recording is now available! Follow this link to access the webinar recording Follow this link for a copy of the Power Point Presentation What challenges did the webinar address? The webinar provided organizers with principles […]
Strategic Planning Webinar Wednesday, March 21
March 9, 2012Join Fair Trade Towns USA staff and seasoned organizer Steve Honeyman (In the Public Interest) for the first Fair Trade Towns webinar of the year. Learn how to get your campaign organized and to build a vision and strategy to reach your goals. Fair Trade Towns Strategic Planning Webinar Date: Wednesday, March 21st Time: 5:00 […]
Best in Fair Trade Awards: Which town will you nominate?
March 7, 2012Only 3 weeks are left to nominate organizations for the first inclusive “Best in Fair Trade” Awards for N. America nonprofits & businesses and we think there are some deserving Fair Trade Town campaigns that need your nomination support! The public can nominate (by March 31), and vote, for U.S. & Canada organizations doing exemplary […]
Membership Programs, Small Grants & Fund Raising Events: Financial Stability for your Campaign
March 5, 2012In February Fair Trade Towns USA put together a conference call for organizers so that they could discover how other campaigns are sustainably raising money. We heard from Nancy Jones in Chicago about Membership Programs, Maya Sharp in Pasadena about Fund Raising events and Courtney Lang of Fair Trade Towns USA about the Small Grants […]