Join Us! Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteer Cashiers Wanted

Help Wanted at A Better Footprint! When others are laying off, we're growing!

~Volunteer Cashiers needed (Thursdays and Fridays, 3-4 hour shifts each)
~Part-Time Volunteer coordinator (Description below)

To fill out a volunteer application or apply for a position, please inquire in person at A Better Footprint to complete a form. Additionally, candidates for the Volunteer Coordinator Position should submit a resume and two references.

Volunteer Coordinator
Job Description and Responsibilities
A Better Footprint, Inc.

Job Description
The Volunteer Coordinator should be an outgoing, friendly person with the ability to inspire as well as task manage others and have self-discipline to fulfill job responsibilities at their own self-regulated pace.

The primary goal of the Volunteer Coordinator will be to assist in operations of the organization through serving as the primary contact and director of recruitment, training, scheduling and retention of and communication with volunteers on a weekly basis.

The Volunteer Coordinator will need to have some availability on Thursdays and/or Fridays, and will need to have Internet and phone access at home with which to communicate and schedule volunteer shifts.

The completion of a W-9 form is required. A Better Footprint, Inc. will hire on a contractual basis.

Estimated Hours: 10-16 hrs/month (split into weekly tasks)

Pay: $8-$10/hour, based on experience

Responsibilities:

1) Recruitment

To actively register new, qualified and capable volunteers through email, internet, public events and collecting completed volunteer forms


2) Training

To teach first-time or struggling volunteers how to operate retail store (i.e. opening/closing, register) or assist with other event tasks

To compile how-to sheets for new procedures, and leave instructions/notes for new promotions or events as instructed by Board of Directors or Accountant


3) Scheduling

To properly schedule at least 2 trained volunteers during all regular store hours, and special events on an as-needed basis, ensuring the store is properly staffed and open

To provide a contingency plan or seek replacements for call-outs or no-shows as needed

To coordinate unlocking of the store for volunteers without keys

To maintain Volunteer Log of hours worked and duties completed


4) Retention

To reward volunteers through volunteer discount program and other thank-you events/gifts

To survey volunteer satisfaction and feelings of usefulness and resolve any volunteer grievances


5) Communication

To continue to organize the Volunteer Binder with contact information for all volunteers

To communicate with all volunteers on a monthly basis through e-mail or phone, and send weekly reminders to all scheduled volunteers confirming their shifts

To serve as the volunteer point of contact for all new registrants, interested volunteers, current volunteers, and Board of Directors

To compile weekly and as-needed to-do lists and occasional how-to sheets in order to keep up volunteer skills and communicate new procedures, promotions, or organization news

January Fair Trade Clearance Sale Extended!

We still need more room for spring - so we're extending our January clearance sale!! Get ready for Valentine's, birthdays-or just treat yourself to the fair trade gifts didn't get over the holidays!

Enjoy 10-60% off (already reduced prices) in our Green Bay store, and up to 50% off at ABetterFootprint.com with our January clearance promotion that continues through February 7th.

In-Store Discounts
(Green Bay store open Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5):
Clothing + Baby Apparel: 30% off
Home Decor + Collectibles: 40% off
Christmas / Seasonal Gifts: 40% off
Jewelry + Beads: 50% off
Kids Toys and Puzzles: 50% off
Baskets, Kitchen and Tablecloths: 60% off*
Purses and Other Accessories: 10% off**

Online Discounts
(Pick ONE coupon code to suit your preference)

Save 30% on Orders over $50 - CODE: SAVE30
SAVE 50% on Orders over $100 - CODE: SAVE50

Sale Ends: February 7, 2010

*Excludes Equal Exchange and Bolgatanga Baskets
**Excludes Hand Loomed Scarves and Wool Hats
***Codes Not applicable to wholesale orders

Fair Trade Clearance Sale 1/23 at A Better Footprint - Save up to 75%

We're pulling out the contents of our stockroom to make room for new shipments again! Join our fair trade "warehouse-style" sale from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, 1/23 for discounts as high as 75%!

If the holidays left you strapped for cash, here's a good opportunity to take advantage of our organic, eco-friendly and fair trade overstocked items. Organic T-shirts for kids and adults start at just $5!


Sale Location: 1228 Main Street, Green Bay (special sale items in downstairs lobby) Call 920-569-6332 or email abetterfootprint@gmail.com

Multicultural Kids - Kwanzaa Event 1/15

Our Multicultural Kids program kicks off in 2010 with an exciting activity for kids in Northeastern Wisconsin to learn about Kwanzaa and the history of African weaving!

On January 15th from 10:00-11:00 a.m., come hear Miranda Paul read the Ghanaian legend "Seven Spools of Thread," (by Angela Shelf Medearis) a tale about seven quarrelsome brothers and their father's ultimatum: to make gold from seven colored spools of thread or be left without an inheritance. Learn how the brothers employ the "Nguzo Saba," (the seven principles of Kwanzaa) as they come together and create the first Kente cloth, now one of the most well-known and prosperous traditional icons of West Africa.

Kids will be invited weave their own strings into a simple Kente cloth bookmark to help them connect to the story and remember the seven principles of Kwanzaa!

As always, Multicultural Kids is a free program. The activities take place in the downstairs lobby of A Better Footprint, 1228 Main Street in Green Bay, WI. The store will open as the program wraps-up for parents and kids who want to shop the world or browse over 100 fairly traded products from around the globe.

Multicultural Kids generally takes place every other Friday from 10:00-11:00 at A Better Footprint, and our schedule runs on opposite weeks as the Toddlers for Diversity group. You can learn more by calling 920-569-6332.

For a complete listing of events at A Better Footprint, visit our events page or join us on Twitter (username @betterfootprint) or Facebook for real-time updates, news and exclusive event invitations.

MLK Day Student Poster and Writing Contest in Green Bay

Area school children are invited to participate in the 15th Annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday by entering a poster/creative writing contest and attending the celebration on January 16, 2010.

The contest is open to all school-age children (K-12) living in or attending school in Brown County or attending an Oneida Nation school. Students may submit a poster, essay, or poem that shares the event’s theme: Moving Forward with the Dream.

Three awards will be given in each of the following grade entry levels: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and tenth through twelfth grade. First prize in each category is an Apple iPod Nano; second prize, an Apple iPod Shuffle; and third prize, a $50 gift card.

Winners will be announced at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. community celebration on Saturday, January 16, 2010, 10:30 a.m.-noon, at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay campus. Winners must be present to collect awards.

Contest entry deadline is January 8, 2010. For a contest entry form and official rules, go to www.nwtc.edu/diversity or go to www.uwgb.edu/learnpart. For more information, contact Juliet Cole at colej@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-5094.



About the 15th Annual Community Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday

This vibrant, multicultural celebration is free and open to people of all ages. Attendees will enjoy musical and dance performances as well as the inspiring words of Dr. King spoken in multiple languages. A light lunch featuring diverse cuisine will be served at a reception immediately following the program.



The celebration is being organized by representatives from University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, United Hmong Community Center, Green Bay Public Schools, Green Bay Press-Gazette, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Learning in Retirement, Northeast Wisconsin African American Association, St. Norbert College, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and community volunteers. Major contributors of this event include Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Procter & Gamble, and USBank.



For more information about the event, call (920) 498-6997 or (920) 465-5094.

ABF Founder Miranda Paul Featured for "Amazing Work"

"She creates opportunity." is inspirationally written on the upcoming blog, PeaceandProjects.com. The weblog's editor continues, praising ABF founder Miranda Paul as she writes, "Her mission goes beyond raising charity money. It gives the poorest people a chance to share their amazing work. She gives them a way to change their lives. Her gift is priceless."

Read the entire post online, and view other articles concerning "Life, Love and Getting Stuff Done" at PeaceandProjects.com

85 Boxes Sent to Afghanistan, thanks to you!

Thank you to all who supported our Donations for Afghanistan's Kids drive at A Better Footprint! We were able to send 85 large boxes of donations to Sargeant David Martens, stationed in Afghanistan.

A special thanks to all collection sites, including the Wisconsin International School, Aldo Leopold, Saint Mary of the Angels, First Presbyterian Church, St. Matthew's Parish, and UWGB. Also, a very special thank you to our anonymous donor who covered 100% of the shipping costs!

NOW, our drive for the kids in Saint Lucia has begun! Please donate new or gently used childrens books (hardcover or paperback) and educational toys. Donation boxes are available at A Better Footprint, 1228 Main Street, Green Bay, WI 54302.

Blog Action Day - Inspiration for A Greener World

Today is blog action day, where thousands of people are taking action on the topic of climate change. To celebrate, we're publishing a list of GREEN PEOPLE in GREEN BAY. These individuals have been inspirational to us at A Better Footprint, and if you know or see any of these environmental advocates (and others that we didn't get a chance to mention here)- make sure to pat them on the back. Thank you for all you do to protect Mother Earth!

Richard Kreig, East High School
Ned Dorff, Downtown Neighborhood Grocery Store Committee
Crystal Osman, Downtown Green Bay Inc.
Sarah Valentine, A Better Footprint
Mark Valentine, Foxview Intermediate
Steve Herro, O. Praem, Diocese of Green Bay
Charlie Frisk, Luxemburg-Casco High School
Christine Fossen, De Pere High School
Trudy Arnold, Unlikely Development
Elizabeth Sternig, Areabyowner.com
Adi Redzic, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Terri Wojcik, The Urban Frog
Alex and Linda Galt, Kavarna
Mark Skogen, Festival Foods
Lori Bankson, Wildlife Sanctuary
Lori Jore - Pro-Tec Energy, LLC
Michael Finney – Oneida Nation
Kim Biedermann – Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute
Mary Haupt – City of Green Bay Mayor’s Office
André Jacque – City of Green Bay Mayor’s Office
Dr. John Katers – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Thomas Lesperance – City of Green Bay Inspection Division
Luann Rudolph - Bay Lak Regional Planning Commission
Bill Lockery – City of Green Bay Planning Department
Derek Lord – City of Green Bay Economic Development Department
John Miller – Berners-Schober Associates
Lisa Evenson - Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District
Annette Weissbach – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Eric Hoyer - Silver Lake College
Mark Foht - Robert E. Lee & Associates, Inc.
Doug Meek - Brown County Home Builders Assoc.
Peter Schleinz - Brown County Planning Commission
Nancy Nabak - Community Advocate
Raymond Janssen - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
Robert Laskowski - Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
Karen Kohlbeck - UW - Green Bay

Thank you for being positive role models and helping us all live a more sustainable lifestyle. See you at 350 on October 24th!

Help For Afghanistan

Inspired by Greg Mortenson's book, Three Cups of Tea, we're highlighting products and projects that are contributing to this mountainous region of the world.

Stones Building Schools
When you purchase our Onyx Stone carvings and candleholders from this region, you literally are taking home a piece of the breathtaking landscape of the mountainous Pakistan/Afghanistan border.

It's Fair Trade Month!

October is going to be an exciting month! As we work together to build awareness of Fair Trade, this month will be jam-packed with events and much, much more.

Obviously, we want you to check out our website, A Better Footprint, but join the national campign at FairTradeMonth.orgtoo–because every day they will post a new fact about Fair Trade and a simple action that you can do to support it. Challenge yourself and see if you can complete all 31 ways to support Fair Trade in the 31 days of October!