Volunteering opportunities with Solihull Fairtrade Solihull Fairtrade was set up in 2007 by a group of community groups and churches, with the support of Solihull Council. In 2010 Solihull Fairtrade achieved Fairtrade Borough Status. This required auditing the activity around Fairtrade across the borough, this includes: who sells, serves and uses Fairtrade products, who promotes Fairtrade including incorporating it into the curriculum. It also required showing that the steering group promoted the Fairtrade mark. A bit of background on the Fairtrade mark. It is not a brand but a mark that shows the product or its ingredient has met the Fairtrade Foundations criteria. The criteria are based around fairly paying for a communities produce, as well as ensuring the Fairtrade premium is used to sustain the community and invest in the future of the product. It is a quality mark of a sustainable community! Solihull Fairtrade is a group of volunteers supported by the council. Activities include: Running stalls – selling Fairtrade products and distributing the Fairtrade Directory Fairtrade and Local Food Directory Events – from coffee mornings to talks to mini conferences Projects - Art and Fairtrade, Solihull Fairtrade CakeOff, Fairtrade Pancake Race! Website development Promotion and networking with businesses over Twitter
We would like to build partnerships with organisations that can help us deliver some of these projects, in return we are offering help and support and opportunities to develop and demonstrate skills in the real world!
Organisation: Solihull Fairtrade
For more information contact Andrew Greenall, chair of Solihull Fairtrade agreenall@solihull.gov.uk Stall volunteer team or individual Aim – promote Fairtrade at community events by holding a stall Tasks – to promote Fairtrade and local food through an engaging and interesting stall held at a local event – currently SoFT runs stalls at the Go Green Fair and Fun in the Park.
A team is required to either: Come up with an engaging and interesting stall that will engage people. this could be through a game, an activity, dressing up… raffle? OR Working with our Traidcraft partners, we could set up a ‘sales’ stall. The team would be required to request products and manage the stall, guidance will be given – (you wont be left on your own). OR Assist in running the SoFT stall – turning up on the day to assist in manning the stall, perhaps getting involved in setting it up. On proposal of the idea, a grant of £50-£100 could be given to cover expenses. Ideally the stall could make some money to recover this initial outlay. In addition, often Fairtrade retailers often donate hampers and goods to promote the cause. The purpose of the stall is not to make money, but to raise awareness. However if teams could raise money that could be split between the SoFT and the team (50-75% going to the team depending on level of support).
Solihull Fairtrade and Local Foods Directory Marketing Volunteer Opportunity for 1 to 5 volunteers, either working in a team or individually) 3hours plus per month, project end date April 2014 Aim – the role is to help develop the Solihull Fairtrade and Local Foods Directory. Tasks – •Collect new and revise current information in the directory using phone, internet research, social media and visits, depending on volunteer preference and suitability. (essential) •Assist in the design of the 2014/2015 directory. (optional) •Market research the possibility of selling advertising and making the directory commercial (including being involved in writing a business plan. (optional) We need an enthusiastic person who wants: • to develop presentation, interpersonal or sales skills – or just likes talking or meeting people. •Would like to make a difference to peoples lives through a practical project. •Ideally for someone who wants to be creative and has ideas, but not essential. •The person will be working with the group supervised by a council officer, with the possibility of working at council premises, if convenient or necessary. Surveyor volunteer
Organisation: Solihull Fairtrade
Aim – the role is to help develop the Solihull Fairtrade and Local Foods Directory. To get a picture of how Fairtrade and local produce is used in Solihull Borough. Tasks – Collect new and revise current information in the directory using phone, internet research, social media and visits, depending on volunteer preference and suitability. Small groups pick an area and/or type of organisation (or a mix) and survey the area. Organisations can be anything: cafés, shops, hairdressers, solicitors, banks, etc, anywhere Fairtrade can be used either as part of the business or in tea breaks, meetings, with clients etc A survey sheet can be provided, but what is required is do the organisations: •Use Fairtrade (or Rainforest Alliance, etc) produce in meetings, tea breaks, for clients. •Sell Fairtrade, organic or local produce •Use Fairtrade, organic or local produce in their business, e.g. use to make cakes. An alternative project would be for a group to acquire this information through their networks, for instance a group could ask all their parents (that work in Solihull) these questions about their workplace. Any innovative ideas regarding the collection of this data is welcomed, including use of social media or events.