Dyfi Valley fair trade campaign

Link to strategy paper below

Minutes of Meeting 17/5/03

1. Present: Andy Rowland, Tom Brown, David Thorpe, Martin Ashby, Zoe Savvidou, Blanche Cameron, Penny Simpson, Dion Thorpe, Nemos Thorpe, Keith Jackson, Evian Jackson, Liza Brown, Eryl Davies, Katie Brown, Judy Jenkins, Glenda Jenkins, Polly Henderson, Lyn Howard, Sally Carr, Ann Macgarry, Will Howard. Apologies: Peter Harper, Jan Morgan.Machynlleth Oxfam Group, Duncan Rees,
   
   
2. Campaign Ideas
   
   
   1. WH outlined a possible campaign mainly concentrating initially on international fair trade with a local ft pilot and the establishment of ft status and road/rail signs in March 2004 followed by more balanced international/local activities.
      
   2. The relation between international and local fairtrade was discussed and their relation of organic production, animal welfare and ecological footprint. WH, LH, DT and ZS volunteered to look further into the issues and report back at the next meeting. Co-op, Soil Association, Welsh FT Forum and other ft groups might have already made some headway. Ecodyfi was already working on some local trade ie firewood. TB produced Honey, JJ some jewellery. Local free-range eggs established. Need to talk to local producers. Competition between local and international fair trade should be minimised.
      
   3. Potential activities highlighting international/local fair/sustainable trade were suggested: food fairs, extra market in Machynlleth around harvest festival (cf Ecodyfi Gill Jones and Gwen Lloyd), farmers markets, also remember other parts of valley, also non-food fair trade items. Need to involve all sections of community.
      
      
3. Campaign (Dyfi Valley) Area
   
   
   1. There was general support for following the Ecodyfi area but it was also noted that Ecodyfi had yet to discuss this.
      
   2. AR raised the point that road/rail signs might also reflect Dyfi Valley Biosphere (river catchment). Andy Bull consultant to Powys planning was active on ft.
      
      
4. Materials
   
   
   1. Information Pack - WH to put together and make available
      
   2. DVD - bilingual subtitled through grant or ED and WH
      
      
5. Next steps
   
   
   1. Information meeting 4/9/03 to which we would invite more people, especially from other community councils in the Dyfi Valley (see bellow). Distribute posters. WH, AM, MA, LH).
      
   2. Information Pack
      
   3. Information campaign - spread information to other groups combined with someway of showing they were using fair trade
      
   4. Liaise with other groups for best practice ideas.
      
      
6. Constitution of Steering Group
   
   
   1. Agreed that we would constitute interim Steering Group
      
   2. Noted draft constitution, meetings might be more frequent
      
   3. Agreed that Will Howard would act as Secretary
      
   4. Finances to be held in Gwerin y Coed account for time being
      
      
7. PR
   
   
   1. WH to liaise with GJ about PR for next meeting.
      
   2. Also cf Welsh newsletters
      
   3. Dyfi Diary
      
   4. Need for main items to be bilingual
      
      
8. Web site
   
   
   1. Ask Ecodyfi if it would be better as part of their site rather than tagged onto WH's commercial site.
      
      

   Next Meeting
   The Owain Glyndwr Centre, Maengwyn St, Machynlleth
   7.00 - 9.00 pm Thursday 4th September 2003
   
   **Please note earlier start and finish -
   better for people using public transport**
   
   • Fair Trade Video
   • Fair Trade Refreshments
   • Information and Discussion on International and Local Fair Trade
   Fair Trade Materials
   • Agreement on next steps for Campaign.

Paper to Meeting from Will Howard:
How can the Dyfi Valley become a 'Fairtrade Valley'

1. Agree on what we mean by the Dyfi Valley

Suggest that we take the same boundaries as the ecodyfi area.

This has 12 Town and Community Councils and parts of 3 County Councils.

The benefits: an already defined community campaigning area, the best link to future locally produced fairtrade, publicity will be reinforced for both Fairtrade and ecodyfi.

More

2. Agree targets which when reached triggers Fairtrade Valley status

These might be higher than present national ones from the Fairtrade Foundation as we have a relatively small population with a high proportion of motivated campaigners and we probably have already achieved most of the targets..

To be really ambitious we might go for support of all Councils (3) and Community Councils (12) and support in 51% of all schools, churches, workplaces, shops, B&Bs and hotels, cafes and restaurants and community organisations that could use atleast some international Fairtrade products.

Locally produced Fairtrade will need some thinking about and may be researched and piloted now with the main campaigning 2004 / 2005.

More

3. Produce a strong simple kit of campaigning resources

The accent is on motivation, supply chain and publicity.

More

4. Campaign with the aim of declaring the Dyfi Valley a Fairtrade Valley during Fairtrade Fortnight 2004

Generate a campaign which devolves and spreads activity throughout the community.

More

5. On declaration of Fairtrade Valley signs are erected on roads and stations

Sings to reflect both ecodyfi and Fairtrade.

More

6 Administration and monitoring - Steering Committee

Bureaucracy to be kept to a minimum - but here it is!

More

Please send suggestions to Will Howard: Nicola Ruck. 01654 703761.