April 10, 2004
The campaign is still alive though not making huge progress. I have been working with our community peace and justice organization to try to get more people involved and I haven't recieved a whole lot of volunteers that want to actively particiapte in the campaign. the groudwork has been laid though and the word is out through the group e-newsletter so I am hoping to form a small group of dedicated activist soon.
I have written a letter to the editor that was published, and we did have a good discussion within our peace coalition about fair trade so there is some growing awareness. I have been encouraging people to ask for fair trade at stores and coffe shops and our local supermarket did recently start carrying fair trade coffee. I have also sent letter to every coffee shop owner and super market manager in the Roaring Fork Valley, explaining what fair trade is and where the can contact suppliers here in Colorado. I also provided information and supplier contact info to a coffee shop that has just opened up in Colorado Springs. In addition to that I have formatted a petition to local businesses urging them to offer fair trade products and am starting to look at some tableing opportunities to get them signed.
There is a lot more good work that we can do in this community and if I can get more people involved I beleive that we can really get a lot accomplished. I am still very commited to this campaign and will continue my one man show and try to get others involved. If you know of anyone else in this area that is interested in this campaign please send them my way.
Peace Ryan Conrad
December 10, 2003
Right now the campaign is in the research and preparation phase. I am a second year special education teacher and a basketball coach, which has kept me real busy. I have compiled some lists of businesses and am beginning to research what Fair Trade choices already exist in the community so I can develop some clear and attainable goals. When basketball season ends in early February I plan to get the campaign active hooking up with some of the local peace and justice organizations to broaden support for the campaign.
