Author Archive
Update from the South by Sally Reith
I am increasingly stretching the boundaries of my role as SRO for the ‘South East’ with trips this month taking me to Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol as well as my well known destination of London.
I started my month with the CABE annual lecture where I met a number of key contacts who will hopefully be [...]
Ambassador Profile – Friday Nkumeh
1. How did you first hear about Shared Interest?
I heard about Shared Interest during the fresher’s fair at Northumbria University in 2008.
2. When did you join as an ambassador?
I joined after learning more about fair trade at a conference in London last year. Having been made aware at the fresher’s fair that Shared Interest promotes and enables [...]
Ambassador Action
This month those of you who were unable to attend the ambassador training sessions will receive the new USB ambassador resource pack, which has been designed following existing ambassador feedback and contains information relevant to the new strategic direction of the scheme. One of the things which we have created for you is an introductory [...]
Ambassador Question Time
How do you calculate the interest rates you charge to Shared Interest Customers?
The rate of interest charged depends on the cost of the funds we are lending (which we refer to as our prime rate) together with the risk assessment of the business to which we are lending. Our prime rate is different for each [...]
Ambassador Activity
The regional ambassador training and member events held throughout England have now all successfully passed and were enjoyed by many of you. Thank you to all of you who were able to attend, but moreover for inviting guests to these events. This month we have already recruited a further seven ambassadors, bringing the total to [...]
Holiday Prize offered for £1,000 Challenge
Would you like to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world and see firsthand the impact that fair trade has on craft producers and farmers?
By entering our £1,000 Challenge you will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a Meet the People fair trade holiday to Peru, Kenya or Costa [...]
Ambassador Action
This week, ahead of National Ethical Investment Week, Shared Interest was delighted to have taken part in The Guardian’s, You Ask, They Answer. This five day online slot, which is part of The Guardian’s Ethical Living Section, involves companies putting themselves forward to be questioned by Guardian online readers.
Shared Interest’s PR Manager Stina Dodds said, [...]
Ambassador Question Time – Is Shared Interest a micro-finance organisation?
Is Shared Interest a micro-finance organisation?
Microfinance, or microcredit, is the lending of very small amounts of money for short periods of time, especially to a start-up company or self-employed person.
The loans and credit that Shared Interest provides does not qualify as microfinance or microcredit, however some of the amounts we lend are small and short [...]
North of the Border – an update from Ruth Taylor
This month there have been plenty of opportunities for Shared Interest to attend events in Scotland; Edinburgh has almost become my second home!
I delivered a Shared Interest presentation to the Morningside Justice and Peace group, and attended a Dinner and Discussion meeting at Balerno Parish Hall. Attendees at both events spoke of how motivated they [...]
Update from the South East by Sally Reith
This month I have mostly been out of the office and working with Ambassadors in the South East at a variety of events. On the 10th of October Shared Interest were at the Fairtrade Foundations’ Supporter Conference in London. Myself and Ambassador Pat Wallace ran a stall in the marketplace area and were extremely grateful [...]