St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign

St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign Group, February 6^th 2020

Present:  PR, MR, PM, AM, JC, MP, AH, AC, CD

Apologies:  IC

Matters arising: 

·      Fairtrade floral display.   PM to confirm ownership of the Jacob’s Ladder site and find out who to approach.                                                      ACTION PM

Fairtrade Fortnight:

·      Flag and publicity.  MP reported that the flag will be flying over the Town Hall for the whole fortnight.  MP and PR to produce a letter (possibly article with photo) for the St Andrews Citizen.  To include the following points:  focus on the flag, we are a Fairtrade Town, support Fairtrade, Traidcraft/JTS coffee morning 7^th March.                                                                                                            ACTION PR/MP

·      Banner.  We will order a banner saying ‘Support Fairtrade, change lives’.  MP to check with Graeme Beebee re displaying it at St Leonards Church.  MP to check size, price and which printer to use.  PR to apply for funding from SFTF if necessary.                                                                                                          ACTION PR/MP

·      Madras College.  MP to try again next week to encourage the Madras rector to engage with Fairtrade action.                                                    ACTION MP

·      Primary schools.  Canongate Primary School has invited us to speak to a P3/4 class on March 5^th.  AC to coordinate planning meeting with MP,MR and Stephie Pettman.                                                                                                ACTION AC/MP/MR

·      Coffee morning.  AH is preparing for a Traidcraft Exchange Big Brew coffee morning, to be held at St Leonards Church Hall on Saturday March 7^th.  This will include a JTS stall.  We are all requested to provide home baking and to publicise the event.  AH to let us know how else we can support her. Publicity to appear in Citizen letter (see above) and Community pinboard, Bunny Slack’s email list, church notices.                                                                                                                       ACTION AH/ALL

·      Directory.  MR has been collating the information from our premises-checking exercise.  MP to put it on the website.  JC has been researching the different accreditations and we will make this a focus for our next meeting.  We will also discuss a return to campaigning to increase the use of Fairtrade products rather than just recording it in the directory.                                         ACTION MR/MP/JC

·      University plans.  Three skills shares events, stall to go alongside BHF pop-up shop, Colleen Tait to take part in ‘Women in Sustainability’ event, halls to have Fairtrade cake and publicity, retail outlets to promote special deals on coffee.   See detailed plan attached below.

·      Fairtrade Fortnight 2021.  CD suggested advanced planning with the Byre for screening ‘True Cost’, plus Fairtrade and other stalls, and making it a joint event with fashion-related university groups.  CD to talk with Byre and fashion groups.                                                                                                 ACTION CD

·      Paul Baker talk/concert.  Since Paul isn’t available during FTFN we discussed a possible collaboration with Transition for a climate focused event later in March.  AC to check on Paul’s availability.                                          ACTION AC/CD

AOB:

·      Fife Council procurement.  We have been asked by the Cupar Fairtrade group whether we would join them in action on this.  PR to ask Colleen Tait which councils are being targeted by SFTF for procurement action.  MR to reply to Margaret Lawrence.                                                                             ACTION PR/MR

·      Road signs.  PR had contacted SFTF.  Guidance on the legal situation is forthcoming.

·      St Leonards Church is now a Fairtrade Church.  The St L Justice and Peace Group are hosting a Christian Aid speaker on trade justice - 20^th Feb at St Leonards Church Hall.  

·      MP reported on plans for World Fair Trade Day in May.  These include:  a visit by two farmers from Malawi, a walk/cycle event along the John Muir Trail and a half-day conference in Edinburgh.  She invited us all to take part and will send further information.

·      AC and MP had attended the now annual University reception for town groups.  We were congratulated by the Principal on the 15^th anniversary this year of achieving Fairtrade status

Date and venue of next meeting:

30 March, 7.30 at 18 Irvine Crescent KY16 8LG 

UNIVERSITY PLANS FOR FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

Fair Futures Fortnight schedule 2020

·      Fairtrade

·      Trade justice

·      Environmental justice

·      Gender equality

·      Ethical consumption

·      Social sustainability

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