Medium Category

Medium Category Nominees  

(click on these links to see Individual  Small  Large Nominees)

Tracy Mitchell - East Dunbartonshire Fair Trade Steering Group

I would be privileged to join the Board of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and have the opportunity to contribute to the development of fair trade in Scotland and through this to make a difference to the lives of producers in the developing world.
 
I would bring a good knowledge of fair trade (built up over the last 10 years +). Currently I am A Traidcraft Fair Trader running stalls and larger fair trade events at my church in Glasgow
An Investor & Ambassador with Shared Interest - the leading fair trade lender (staff member 2005-2008)
On the East Dunbartonshire Fairtrade Steering Group and the One World Shop Management Committee
Working with the Coach House Balmore on a project to develop and market new Malawian fair trade products
 
Through my work at Shared Interest, I developed an understanding of the impact of fair trade organisations around the world; visiting producer groups in West Africa, speaking fair trade conferences in Europe & USA and working in partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation & IFAT and the wider fair trade movement.
 
I am used to promoting fair trade to a diverse range of audiences – from Scottish church groups and UK Shared Interest members to Nigerian businessmen.
 
Having been on the Board at BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development) for 2 years, I would bring both senior management and Board level skills as well as considerable planning, project and risk management expertise. Given my experience of Social Accounting, I would be interested in how fair trade could capitalise on Corporate Social Responsibility to further engage with businesses in Scotland.
 
Hilary Mackay - Highland Fair Trade Group (to share position with Ruth Anderson)

At present, I am a member of the Inverness Fairtrade Committee. Until recently we have been working within our city boundaries but have decided that in 2009, we will link with other Highland Fairtrade towns with the intention of collaborating and expanding. My recent involvement with the Committee has included input with the annual Bazaar and various events raising the profile of Fairtrade. I have been responsible for being the main organiser of the Inverness Fairtrade Guide 2008, and was the main organiser for our third Fairtrade Fashion Show. This year we widened the criteria to include eco- and ethical clothing and moved our venue to the Strathpeffer Pavilion. We had a great night, which was almost sold out. There was considerable press and radio coverage, and a very positive response.

Four days a week I work as a social worker for Highland Council. The role requires good communication skills in a variety of mediums (verbal; written etc) and good networking skills are also essential.

I am about to launch an ethical clothes company, which will operate through the web-site www.evagrant.co.uk. Please have a look at this web-site (still under construction) and the About Us pages to find out more information. I will be working towards IFAT accreditation after 2 years trading (as is required) and endeavouring to support my suppliers without accreditation to work toward this for their own organisations.

I would be keen to be nominated to the Board to use my knowledge to support others, but also to learn more about Fairtrade and the issues in Scotland.

Ruth Anderson - Highland Fair Trade Group (to share position with Hilary MacKay) 

I believe I am a suitable candidate for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum because of passion for and work with Fair Trade.   I am currently the Manager of Himalayan Highlands Exhibitions Ltd, a small company based in the highlands of Scotland that has been working directly with its suppliers in Nepal since 1990.  Fair Trade policies and practices have guided this business from the outset and all our suppliers are good friends and we visit them bi-annually. 

I feel that my regular contact with producers from Nepal and first hand knowledge of their working conditions, needs and desires will contribute greatly to promoting further understanding of Fair Trade throughout Scotland.  I also have regular contact with our customers through the exhibitions that we set up throughout the highlands during the summer months and in Glasgow and Edinburgh during December.  The feedback about Fair Trade that I receive from our customers is always interesting and not always positive, I believe that it is important to share the concerns of the people in the highlands in the larger picture for Fair Trade Scotland and feel that the Fair Trade Forum would be the ideal place for this.

I am a recent addition to the Highlands and Islands Fair Trade group and believe that our commitment to Fair Trade Scotland will be greatly enhanced through the addition of two representatives from the Hghlands to your board.  Hilary and I both look forward to working with you during 2009 and meeting with you at your AGM on 31 January.