If you love sports, have your own website, and would like to earn some extra cash for yourself or your organization, then our new Affiliate Team program is for you.

The fundraising program is only a few days old and we’ve already had several organizations sign up, including leagues like EBOTS Soccer and nonprofits like These Numbers Have Faces.

Link your website to the first company in the US with a full line of Fair Trade soccer balls and more to earn a steady stream of revenue as a Fair Trade Sports Affiliate Team member.

Join now!

There is a fellow named James Rose who I am proud to call a customer.

I enjoy all our customers, but please allow me a moment to share James’ inspiring story with you.

On May 12, James launched the Better World Cup with a set of fairly traded soccer balls from Fair Trade Sports in Kayole, a severely depressed area of Nairobi, Kenya. Each day there are hundreds of HIV/AIDS orphans running the streets.

“You kick a soccer ball into a crowd of these kids and the mood just lifts,” James said. “It’s spontaneous.”

James is an author and journalist based in Australia who has written for the Wall Street Journal, The Age, and the South China Morning Post. As an adviser to the Special Ambassador to the United Nations World Food Program, he went on a trip to deliver food to the drought-ravaged northeast part of Kenya last June. He and New York-based friend Terry Torok learned about Kayole during that trip and conceived the idea of the Better World Cup.

“That’s in a way the gift of being something like a journalist, being put in to those positions where you can observe so closely and it’s very hard then to keep you’re objectivity because you almost become part of the story I think,” he said.

“That’s what I felt happening to me, I felt like I wanted to be part of the story and I didn’t just want to observe and write about it and talk about it, I actually wanted to get involved and do something about it. I’m here to serve now, this is what I want to do,” James explained.

“My wife is the same. We’ve got a three-year-old daughter and the usual pressures a young family has, but we just feel this is what we need to do now and this is our calling.”

James continued, “Doing what I do, there is simply no way I could justify using balls other than fair trade balls. I thank all the people at Fair Trade Sports for making them available to us and for changing the work culture for the better in this area. The world is simply a better place when kids can play freely, as they should.”

We’d love to hear what you are doing with the Fair Trade Sports balls you purchase as well. Let us know!

The most asked-for accessory on campus is here - just in time for summer! The Ultimate disc from Fair Trade Sports has landed.

A true Ultimate disc weighing in at 175gm, this UPA-approved disc will help you spread the Fair Trade message far and wide. Well, at least as far as you can throw it!

Made in the USA by the good folks at Discraft. Our friend Meghan Hubbs at Equal Exchange commented, “The great thing about Discraft is that all of their disc are formed and stamped in Wixom, Michigan. I worked in the Discraft factory before I came to Equal Exchange, so I know their workers are treated well and paid above living wages.” Buy one now.

What is Ultimate?

Today we have a guest blogger with us, Harry Weekes. Harry is a high school biology teacher at The Community School in Sun Valley, Idaho. Harry, tell us a bit about yourself…

HARRY: I have taught here in Sun Valley for 15 years and lived here for 35 (I moved here when I was three…more precisely, I was moved here when I was three).  I am married to Hilary, have three kids (Georgia - 6, Penelope - 4, and Simon - 14 months), a dog (Uncas), a cat (Pepsi), a fish (Pebbles) and one Fair Trade Rugby Ball, affectionately known as “The Pumpkin.”

FTS: Ah, thus the reason for the guest blogger spot.

HARRY: Yes, my wife and I get Grounds for Change Coffee, and I think your Fair Trade Sports balls postcard was in there.  For whatever reason, I saw the flyer and knew that I had to have a rugby ball.  

Some would think this is because I played rugby in college, or because I know the first thing about rugby, or because I am a coach.  And those people would think wrong.  

I have never played rugby, the only thing I know about rugby is that quite often you throw the ball laterally, my cat used to chew the rubber buttons on my first rugby shirt, and after 10 minutes of watching the Women’s Rugby Initiation outside of the dorm in college, I was dizzy.  Oh, and I don’t coach.  I just thought, “now that’s a fetching ball.”

And fetching ball it is.  I blew it up with my two daughters (Georgia and Penelope) looking over my shoulder.  When one of them saw the orange, she said “It looks like a pumpkin.”  And the legend was born.  “The Pumpkin” now lives in the house.  I have taught the girls a nice lateral through the living room, and we have learned that it rolls in the most wonderful way.  Simon, my 14 month old son, just loves the thing.

So, I’d like to say The Pumpkin is seeing time on the pitch, but truth be told, I use it as a ‘fidget’- I throw it, I roll it, I bounce it.  And it is absolutely WONDERFUL. I give it two thumbs, way up.

The Pumpkin’s legend continues to build.  Simon, a.k.a. ‘Clubber’, has taken a real liking to the Pumpkin.  At all of 14 months old, he is turning into a weirdly coordinated infant.  He can’t walk, so he sits on the ground and grunts and kicks at the ball.  Then he rolls it.  I think the white and orange are strangely soothing to him.  

Oh, and why do I call him Clubber?  That’s because he has his first cast, which he uses to beat the ground in anticipation of getting the ball.  

How did he get his first cast?  Short story - adult swan protecting its nest chases 6 year old and mom, carrying 14 month old on shoulders, shrieks to the defense, drops 14 month old, catches said infant by ankle, but not before arm hits ground.  Yeah, it’s bizarre.  Needless to say, as the biologist, I haven’t stopped lecturing her about ornithology (coincidentally, I was on a birding trip when this happened- ah, fate).

Anyway, while not in the scrum at the bottom of a bunch of sweaty Australians, The Pumpkin, like an old dog adopted from the pound, has found a happy place to play.

FTS: So we will hear from you again on the continuing saga of the Fair Trade Pumpkin?

HARRY: Oh yes, I have been ‘writing’ (my word for thinking) of another entry for the blog about the epic battle that took place recently between The Pumpkin and an old helium balloon in our house, with Simon (the 14 month old) caught in the middle…the wonders never stop.

FTS: Until next time then. Harry, thank you for your time and your loyalty as a Fair Trade Sports customer, blogger, and rugby ball aficionado.

Do you have a story to share about the escapades of your Fair Trade Sports ball? Let us know.

The Sierra Club celebrates World Fair Trade Day (WFTD) tomorrow with a well-written issue of the Green Trader.

The Sierra Club has an entire campaign focused on Trade.

They explain, “Trade is integrally linked to more traditional environmental issues such our access to clean air, clean water and open spaces to enjoy. The Sierra Club wants trade that is clean, green and fair, where peoples’ lives and livelihood’s are protected.”

For WFTD, Sierra Club is specifically encouraging its members to plug into their local communities through the suggestions listed here.

Enjoy the day tomorrow!

Already a member of our Affiliate Team? Sign in here.

If you love sports, have your own website, and would like to earn some extra cash for yourself or your organization, then our affiliate program is for you. Link your website to the first company in the US with a full line of Fair Trade sports balls for soccer, futsal, volleyball, rugby, and more and earn a steady stream of revenue as a Fair Trade Sports Affiliate Team member.

Join now.

By joining our Affiliate Team, you can open your very own online sports ball shop and make money by providing Fair Trade Sports' best selection of high quality, fairly traded soccer equipment on your own website.

Selling is easy. Just put Fair Trade Sports banners and links on your website and when a visitor clicks through to our website and places an order, you'll earn a percentage of sales. We do all the hard work for you by processing the order, billing the customer, shipping the merchandise, and providing the customer service. It's that easy!

Why Join the Fair Trade Sports Affiliate Team?

• It's simple, free, and fun!
• You'll earn 10% commission on all sales originating from your site!
• Receive monthly commission checks for all commissions totaling over $50 (quarterly checks for commissions under $50).
• Team-up with Fair Trade Sports, the brand people associate with fairly traded sports balls in the US!
• Take advantage of the support, encouragement, and expertise of your friends at Fair Trade Sports - we're here to help make you a success!

How Does it Work?
Simply complete the online affiliate application. Within 5 business days, we will notify you via email if your application has been approved. If your application is accepted, we'll email you all the instructions and information that you need to gain insider access to our online Fair Trade sports ball shop for yourself and start making money.

Join now.

Important note: It should go without saying, but since it does not...if you are part of a hate group or a group that discriminates against others, don't bother applying. Fair Trade Sports is a crew passionate about bringing positive change to our world.

Tufts University recently completed their conference: Doing Well by Doing Good: An Introductory Conference on Socially Responsible Businesses.

Taryn Miller-Stevens was the 2007 SRB Conference Chair. She is pictured here (left) with Abby Lindsay.

Taryn begun planning this conference over a year ago. She had a classic “Ah ha!” moment while sitting on a bus in Rome, Italy one day.

She says, “I began reflecting on what it was that really made me tick. After scribbling down my passions, values, and interests on the back of pizza menu, it all became clearer. It dawned on me that the market opportunity for changing the world through enterprise is far from a novel idea; however, it is through innovation and effective collaboration that this change can occur. I needed to share this knowledge.”

This conference was her final senior year project.

Fair Trade Sports was part of the event, along with Stoneyfield Farms and Wild Oats. Jonathan Greenblatt, the Co-Founder of Ethos Water, was their keynote speaker. I was honored to have Taryn and Abby sport our tee shirts for the day!

Well done, Taryn, Abby, and the rest of the SRB Conference Team…we are proud to have you join the ranks of Socially Responsible Businesses as you graduate!