Fair Trade Team Expands by Two Dozen

In many ways, the Fair Trade world is an intimate place, where almost everybody knows everybody else, or at least knows somebody who knows somebody in the group you belong to. I was at the Fair Trade Federation conference a couple weeks ago and it was a TWO degrees of separation kind of experience. Very neat, but folks, let’s face it, a committed core of a couple hundred businesses and their faithful customers isn’t going to grow the movement. It has taken us a generation to get this far, and lots of amazing stories can be told about the improvement in lives and livelihoods along the way. Hooray! But there is so much more work to be done

Enter CRS Fair Trade Ambassadors! Two dozen superstars, passionate about Fair Trade and how it helps consumers like you live in solidarity with your brothers and sisters overseas. This past weekend, these folk–from all along the East coast and with one Midwestern joining in–retreated to the Maryland home of A Greater Gift. They studied and debated Fair Trade, shared life stories, and came away committed to spreading the message that Fair Trade is a way for Catholics to live their faith in solidarity with poor people overseas. You’ll see photos of the group and snippets of their stories in the weeks to come (talk about fun summer reading!).

Meanwhile, look out for these ambassador types in your community. They’ll share some Divine Fair Trade chocolate, convince you to get Fair Trade coffee at your parish, and, most important of all, share with you why sharing Fair Trade is such an important part of their days.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 25th, 2007 and is filed under Fair Trade . You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Fair Trade Team Expands by Two Dozen”

Joanne Says:
June 25th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
As one of the “ambassadors” I want to thank CRS for this marvelous opportunity to be able to say, “I was there in the beginning!” It was a great weekend. We were energized by the staff and each other. Now we are ready to get started!
Scott James Says:
June 25th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
What a brilliant idea! The power of multiplication is a wonderful thing. Well done, Jackie.

Should any of the Ambassadors find sports interesting, please have them give us a buzz for information about certified Fair Trade sports balls for parishes youth programs and school teams.

- Scott James
Fair Trade Sports
http://www.fairtradesports.com
Fair Trade Soccer Balls with FSC Certification!
Deb Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 12:39 am
As another Ambassador of Fair Trade, I to want to thank the CRS staff for enlightening me further about CRS and Fair Trade. I have signed myself up on the CRS Fair Trade Network . I have”Bookmarked” this site as one of my Favorites so I will have easy access to information with just one click of my mouse. I am finding out how easy it is to talk about Fair Trade when I have chocolate to hand out !
Abby Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
As one of the Fair Trade Ambassadors who were “certified” this past weekend, I too want to thank CRS for the excellent training provided. I know that whatever additional resources I need to spread the word, all I have to do is ask. Many thanks to the wonderful ambassadors who made the weekend most enjoyable. I look forward to hearing about all the great work of other ambassadors so post when you can. The Richmond Diocese says hello! oh yeah, and GO BC.
Lois Harr Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
After our wonderful weekend, I circulated a few Work of Human Hands catalogues to some colleagues. They are encouraging us to have a sale early in the semester - early to mid - September. We will be celebrating the expansion of FT coffee in our cafeterias, buying sweatfree t-shirts and, of course, we will sell chocolate!

Lois Harr, CRS Fair Trade Ambassador
Director of Campus Ministry & Social Action
Manhattan College

Fair Trade Team Expands by Two Dozen

5 Responses to “Fair Trade Team Expands by Two Dozen”

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