The convergence is THIS WEEKEND. This is absolutely nuts. A new president + USFT international convergence = maybe the best week ever. It was the 2006 USFT convergence in Denver that got me into Fair Trade and activism in general. I went without really knowing why I was going - I'd been involved in my Fair Trade club on campus but that was it. I was afraid that I'd be surrounded by people who had been doing this all their lives and I would be shunned because I wasn't one of them. NOT THE CASE. There were some people there with incredible backgrounds with Fair Trade and social justice and environmental activism, but there were also people like me who were just there to check it out, and we all had something to contribute. The whole weekend was a barrage of knowledge and conversations and energy and excitement and amazing amazing people. It was an incredible, life-changing (yeah, I mean it) weekend.

That was almost three years ago, and here I still am. I've learned more about Fair Trade, but there's still so much more to know and experience, and I'm hoping you all will help me do that this weekend. It's not too late to register! I know it's going to be another fabulous, insane weekend, partly because of our ROCKSTAR convergence coordinators (when you see Ashley and Stephanie and Heather this weekend, give them a hug or high-five or chocolate, because they have been running full-speed for months now and they are ROCKSTARS for serious). But the convergence will also be so great because you'll be there. Everyone has something really valuable to contribute to this movement, and I really, really hope you'll share your voice.

See you FRIDAY!!

-Alli, USFT Movement Liaison