Dear fairtraders,

things have been quiet on here becuase i've been rather busy. We have
pictures for the web site which will be updated eventually. i was
hoping to have a new volunteer start writing the newsletter but we
seem to have lost contact for the time being.

However i will write it if need be and i'd like it out before the
next couple of weeks. i have MS publisher i can provide something
decent looking with that.

The Dacorum Guide still needs to be extensively distributed and i'll
be asking for volunteers to do that, although i must keep track of
where it is being distributed to.

i'm hoping now to write up job specs for the Dacorum Volunteer
Bearuax ..gee i just can't spell that word, anyway i'm looking to
build up five or six dedicated people, in effect i'm building the
organisation.

There will be a council meeting in a few weeks to progress the
fairtrade town resolution.

The next event of consequence i will involve the group in will be the
Boxmoor Music on the Moor for the two days. But between now and then
i'll be starting an extensive letter writing campaign to get more
support and start urging cafe's to stock fairtrade. i think the
supermarkets should have copies of the guide and i'll be wriring to
tesco's, sainsbury's, and marks and spencers to get them to stock the
guide.

i'm also going to need help telephoning companies for a new dacorum
guide 2006. i'll see if Dacorum Volunteer B_______. (i'm not spelling
that until i've learned it by heart) can help again.

i'm also looking for fundraisers, becuase i want to get the group
registered charity status. The DVB (i'm not even trying now) are
going to love me, and this is also the year of the volunteer so there
are many opportunities to publicise community involvement.

The library display was well recieved and we have gained two new
members, although i don't think they are going to get involved at
steering group level.

i've gained approval from the Fairtrade Foundation for use of the
group's letterhead. So we have now have an official letterhead,
compliment slips.

i didn't do meetings for some time becuase meetings aren't always do-
able but if i can get a substantial team built up and regular
meetings, even if they are just reporting on email on progress. Well
oxfam has a meeting once a month, we'll see how it goes. Since the
Friends of the Earth meet third monday of the month, i cover most of
the issues there, and that is how it will stay for the time being for
Hemel until i have more members.

i'll keep you posted on the web site development and ofcourse i'll be
writing a newsletter and hiring.

i wrote this as much for new members that may decide to join the
email group as to all of you existing members.

Regards

Francois