Ally Registration for the 2008 United Students for Fair Trade Convergence in Seattle, WA

Submitted by Ashley Edens on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 02:32.

Registration Application for the 2008 United Students for Fair Trade Convergence in Seattle, WA.

Please direct any questions about this application or the Convergence to Ashley or Stephanie, at aedens@u.washington.edu or s.e.adler@gmail.com.

Applications must be sent no later than October 17th. We will begin reviewing applications as they come in, so at your earliest convenience please send in your completed electronic registration.

Check http://www.usft.org/convergence for updates. Once you have received confirmation, please send your check for $100 for registration, made out to:

USFT/Tides, to Andrew Kohan, PO Box 13113, Chicago, IL 60613.

Please note that UPS and FedEx DO NOT deliver to PO boxes, so please mail your check via snail-mail.

Housing & Transportation
HOUSING DISCLAIMER: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR HOUSING. That being said, we will do our best to make sure that everyone who needs or wants free housing will be able to have it during the convergence. HOWEVER--these accommodations will likely be uncomfortable or cramped (e.g. the floor of a church, someone's couch/floor, etc.). Hostels are unfortunately expensive in Seattle, and there aren't enough to house everyone for the weekend. If the free accommodations we can offer are not to your liking, we urge you to look on your own for a place to stay during the weekend.
Translations
USFT needs volunteers to help translate for international visitors and non-English speakers during the Convergence. If you are bilingual and available to help, please let us know below!
Are you interested in volunteering to accompany an international visitor and facilitate one-on-one communication between him/her and other convergence participants? This would entail committing to a half-day or full day volunteering.
Are you interested in doing simultaneous translation during plenary sessions? This involves using a microphone headset to translate into, while recipients wear earphones. It would involve short shifts of one hour.
Are you interested in translating during workshops (less than 25 people)? This often involves two-way translation between English and another language.
Further Questions
(Optional) USFT is committed to an anti-oppressive approach to the convergence. Our registration and acceptance process will reflect this commitment.
Please use this box if you feel comfortable
If not, what social justice work are you engaged in or interested in, and what are the intersections with Fair Trade?
The Convergence is an opportunity for everyone to learn and teach. We'd love for you to put on a workshop if you're interested in a specific topic being covered at the Convergence. Please visit our Call for Proposals page to download a copy of the Call for Proposals and Application!
Vendor Fair & Tabling Information

Tabling is an important aspect of the USFT International Convergence. It provides students with the opportunity to connect with NGOs, industry, and other allies and begin to build relationships that will last beyond the span of the Convergence. Many organizations use tabling at the vendor fair as an opportunity to share information about programs and opportunities for students to get involved, in addition to basic introductions to the organization and the valuable work you are doing. You may use your table to distribute information, to promote a campaign or a product or otherwise connect with students. Tables will be set up from Friday afternoon at 4 (set up between 2 pm and 4 pm, tables/fair open at 4 pm) until Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. We are asking that your organization help offset the costs of table setup by donating $150 if you are a Seattle-area organization/vendor, $175 if you are a non-profit organization/vendor, and $200 if you are a national organization/vendor. If you are interested in setting up a table, please email s.e.adler@gmail.com by October 17th. Your email should include the name of your organization, a contact person and phone number/email address, the purpose of your table, any special needs you have beyond a table (e.g. outlets, wall space), your donation level, and whether or not you will be selling anything. Feel free to contact Stephanie at 206.290.1961 with any questions or concerns.

Financial Assistance
Will you need financial assistance to participate in the Convergence? How much? Will you contact your school or local fair trade businesses/organizations for funding? *Please know that we will do our best to make sure no one is turned away for lack of funds. The ally registration fee for the Convergence is $100. This can be paid on a sliding scale based on need. Please pay as much as you can. We have a sponsorship letter available to help you raise funds. Anyone who has the financial resources to cover their travel expenses is asked to please do so. If you indicate you will need financial assistance, we will send you a financial aid application. Please contact one of the convergence coordinators if you need help fundraising or would like to discuss this further.
Attendance