So far we've contacted 300 groups about the up and coming events.
Members of the Women's Institute have contacted us and are coming to
the fairtrade town launch, also representatives of Hemel Hempstead
Churches Together who have now formally written to express their
support. That's another group we can add to the web page. But there's
still more to do.

Counsellor representation at the meeting is vital as it's the local
authority we are trying to persuade to pass a resolution.

Good news about the diocese annoucing fairtrade resolution. it will be
formally ratified shortly. Watford are now launching a similar
presentation with bruce crowther and simeon greene for the 1st
November at the town hall.

Was contacted yesterday by a new member wishing to be kept informed of
future events and helping out. For those members who are not on email,
we'll be needing a mailing list. A newsletter would also be a good
idea at this time as a formal launch i believe will entail regular
contact with new supporters.

Bank account for the Dacorum Fairtrade Group has now been set up, am
awaiting cheque books but deposits to the account can now be made.

We could do with a treasurer though. any volunteers out there?
Making more use of dacorum council for voluntary services would also
be a tremendous help. i've applied for membership, can't think why i
didn't do it ages ago. However we have to wait until a committee
meeting before being formally approved as a member.

Press release, many thanks to john for his assistance, is now drafted
and is about to go out. We'll try and get the co-op to help us as
well.

As to the supper/quiz, things are a bit quiet, we have the activists
team, and harrow are offering to put one together. Richard Grayson is
at work putting together his team for the lib dems, so would
appreciate now hearing from Mike Penning and Tony McWalters sec.
Catherine and Karen (Oxfam Shop volunteer) are liaising about the
catering for the supper, and i'm cramming for the quiz with liz...ha
ha that rhymes.

There'll be an opportunity for further promotion at the next
environment forum on the 14th October. Before then, there's a schools
event organised by kay volger at the apsley paper mill and i think
having some presence there would also be helpful.

What we need now is a volunteer drive. To get more members! Oh and
funding.

Further to the news about the fairtrade directory, New Consumer
Magazine are sending down an outline of the 24 page directory, and yes
business sponsorship and advertising for local groups will be
included. we need to raise £1800 (we have three months) and Smiths
Coffee, one of our sponsors has pledged £100, only £1700 to go, i'll
be asking the co-op group next. There are other companies i'll be
asking but although this sounds a lot i believe raising the money is
achievable. For this we get local directory, local company
advertising, and a 10,000 print run copy in full colour in time for
fairtrade fortnight 2005. i should add that also included are reviews
of fairtrade products, interviews with fairtrade foundation, and we
get the front cover to declare it's our local directory for Dacorum
Borough. We can also have statements from the main political party's
on it as we have on the web site.