As a new feature to the Ambassador newsletter we are going to start profiling a different Ambassador every month. If you would like to be profiled please send Sarah an email to let her know.
This month we start with Joan Stableford based in the North West.
How did you first hear about Shared Interest?
I support Practical Action, a charity that provides low technological innovations such as efficient wood burning stoves; I purchased a gift and in their new brochure was a shared interest leaflet.
When did you join as an Ambassador?
In 2008, soon after joining as a member.
What motivated you to become an Ambassador?
I feel that fair trade needs to be expanded and that needs fair finance.
What does it mean to you to be an Ambassador?
I hope to make a positive contribution to enabling others to trade their way out of poverty and improve the lives of their communities.
What do you enjoy most about being an Ambassador?
I enjoy meeting people, engaging in discussions on fair trade and finance.
What Ambassador activities have you undertaken in the last three months?
Organised for SI leaflets to be included in delegates’ bags attending an investment seminar.
Written to David Borrow, MP – he is Chair of Debt, Aid and Trade.
A talk to a church group
A stall at Fairtrade event in Preston supported by Susan a fellow ambassador.
Wrote follow up letter to press following fair trade event
Sent off emails to several church groups
Sent emails to BBC Working Lunch and Today programmes.
Gave out leaflets at local open air Churches Together event
Which activities have you found to be most successful overall?
Not sure as all quite different but will hopefully increase publicity as SI unknown to a number of fair trade stall holders at the recent events I have attended.
What do you find most challenging about being an Ambassador?
Having the appropriate tools for my email campaign. I identified this and raised it as an issue at Ambassador training. Since then I have been given two introductory letters to use.
Do you have any suggestions on how the scheme could be improved?
We should have more “Freebies” or low cost items available to increase publicity or to engage with public who seem to be very willing to buy fair trade items but need time to think about investing their money.
Better publicity material with bullet points rather than continuous text.
Picture cards one side and brief information on reverse like those Practical Action send out.
Large scale world map as in QR70 centre fold – many ethnic people looked to see if their country of origin benefited from SI.
A3 Poster size for talks that do not have power point facilities
Have school material available on web.
Finally do you have any words of wisdom for other Ambassadors?
Do not be shy – give out leaflets, send emails and enjoy spreading the word about Shared Interest.
