Affiliates: The Grassroots
USFT exists for our affiliates. Student activists are at the forefront of
the Fair Trade movement, composing a strong force which continu-
ally helps increase the demand for fair trade products. USFT coordi-
nates and supports the campaigns of over 150 student organizations.
Affiliates can be individuals seeking to begin an organization or al-
ready-initiated organizations which intend to engage in Fair Trade
action or education as part of their activities. Affiliates, as opposed
to chapters, are autonomous organizations or individuals with the
desire to advocate for Fair Trade principles, products, and policies.
Why Affiliate?
Requirements of Affiliates
Recommendations for Affiliates
Keeping in Touch: Semester Feedback
Why Affiliate?
College and high school affiliates benefit through their involvement
in a growing network of students across the country who are de-
veloping innovative ideas to establish and deepen Fair Trade con-
sciousness in their communities. Affiliates share ideas and le-
verage their collective power to win campaigns for Fair Trade
across school systems and communities, within local business-
es, and among schools that have the same food service provider.
Some of the other benefits include:
- An introductory packet full of organizing tools and Fair Trade
information.
- Connection with a regional coordinator who can provide support,
advice, and help to link the affiliate up with other campaigns that
share similar goals.
- Opportunities to join international delegations to Fair Trade
cooperatives.
- Chances to collaborate with students across the country on
trade related issues, such as domestic Fair Trade and trade policy
through national committees.
- Opportunities for financial support, including micro-lending
and mini-grants.
Requirements of Affiliates
Signing on as a USFT affiliate requires a good-faith promise to fulfill
the following objectives:
- Embody the Purpose, Vision and Values of USFT.
- Organize at least one Fair Trade event or engage in processes
which lead to Fair Trade availability or education on your campus
or in your community.
- Complete one report back form each semester, provided by your
regional coordinator, which will be used to share your Fair Trade
activities and experiences on your campus or in your community
with other students.
- Renew your affiliation with USFT yearly, via the affiliation form.
- Vote in annual national USFT elections
Recommendations for Affiliates
USFT encourages several values that are considered an integral part
of building the Fair Trade movement. Advocating for Fair Trade is, of
course, about more then advocating for a product; it is about building
fair and humane relationships between people. Towards that end, USFT
recommends affiliates participate in just relationships on their campuses
by building organizations and partnerships that emphasize the following:
- Cultivating diversity, including racial, ethnic, religious, gender,
sexual orientation, class and age.
- Leadership opportunities.
- Coalition-building and other efforts to demonstrate the value of
knowledge and experience of others, such as community organi-
zations, cultural and religious organizations, etc.
Keeping in Touch: Semester Feedback
The Semester Feedback Form is a crucial way in which affiliates
communicate their successes and challenges from the previous se-
mester and their plans for the next semester. USFT shares these
experiences with other campuses engaged in similar struggles and
broadcasts victories through the website and other national commu-
nication. Affiliates will receive the form from their regional coordi-
nators and are expected to complete this form before the end of
each semester. Through this feedback, USFT gains an understanding
of what resources we can make available to help affiliates achieve
their goals. This process is crucial in order for USFT to show that it
is an effective organization, and to continue receiving grant money.
