Archives for December 2014

Ten Thousand Villages of Austin is a 501(c)(3) fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted works from across the globe. A founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Ten Thousand Villages sees fair trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade. We establish long-term relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed, and lack other opportunities for income.

Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries, we are part of a network of over 70+ retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products. As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items.

 Event Planning Internship

We are currently looking for an Intern who is passionate about Fair Trade, our mission, and is interested in helping our Austin store reach “the next level”! This person will help us with our events big and small, by completing tasks associated with our events; increasing their scope in the Austin community; polishing and streamlining events to make them more effective; and seeking out new opportunities to expand our events.

This position is perfect for any student looking to gain more hands-on experience in event planning, marketing and fundraising, or desiring insight into non-profit management!

Intern Responsibilities

• Volunteer 15 hours per week (up to 20 hours/week around key event dates)
• Be an assertive advocate for Ten Thousand Villages of Austin
• Assist with the planning and strategizing of our store’s fair trade events, with a major focus on our International Women’s Day celebration in early March
• Help to develop a new series of in-store community events, known as Village Collectives
• Foster relationships with past and future participants and partners through several channels
• Be proactive in updating, communicating and completing tasks associated with events
• Create e-mailouts, signage, and forms related to events
• Follow checklists and ensure tasks are completed on time
• Participate in event team meetings, and work collaboratively to achieve goals
• Occasional customer service in store when needed, and any networking related to event

Preferred Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency using Google Drive, Mail and Calendar apps, and able to learn new software quickly
• Enjoys using and understands Social Media.
• Graphic design experience a plus, but not essential
• Assertive, proactive, and able to take initiative and step outside comfort zone to learn new skills
• Highly organized and cooperative work style

Internship Perks

• 20% off all purchases at Ten Thousand Villages of Austin
• Positive, innovative, and fun work environment at an organization that has been named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies 6 years in a row by the Ethisphere Institute
• Opportunities to network with like-minded community members
• Professional development through Ten Thousand Villages staff evaluations and training sessions

Interested applicants should submit brief letter of interest and resume to the Volunteer Coordinator, Alex Peters (volunteers.austin@tenthousandvillages.com). Internship begins in early January 2015.

Social Media Marketing Intern

We are currently seeking an Intern who is passionate about Fair Trade, our mission, and is interested in helping our Austin store reach “the next level”! Social Media sites are an invaluable marketing tool for reaching a larger audience and increasing buzz about our store. This position is perfect for any student looking to gain more hands-on experience in social media marketing or desiring insight into how a non-profit organization is managed!

 Internship Responsibilities:

Social Media (50%)

• Work with the Marketing Committee to manage TTV-Austin’s social media presence, using organizational tools such as Google Calendar and Hootsuite to post items about our store, Fair Trade, and events
• Create social media reports and monitor activity and impact of posts
• Develop and implement creative techniques to increase audience and engagement
• Create and implement innovative ways to utilize social media as a means to attract potential customers and volunteers, and as an educational tool to inform the public on Fair Trade
• Attend and cover local Fair Trade events using social media outlets

Customer Service (15%)

• Spend 1-2 hours a week on our sales floor, engaging customers and familiarizing yourself with TTV products
• Watch the “New Item Videos” every month
• Verbally market upcoming events to customers

Marketing (35%)

• Create and post fliers about major events
• Create event pages on Facebook, Do512, and other online calendars; promote events through social media
• Research and write about artisan groups that TTV works with on social media outlets
• Assist with planning and promoting of Fair Trade events in Austin and surrounding communities
• Develop partnerships with other entities that enhance our sales, and review pop-up sale opportunities

Preferred Skills

• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, electronic)
• Enjoys using Social Media – Facebook and Twitter experience essential; Instagram and Pinterest desirable
• Marketing and/or Customer Service experience preferred
• Graphic Design experience a plus (not required)
• Able to take initiative and step outside comfort zone to learn

Internship Perks

• 20% off all purchases at Ten Thousand Villages of Austin (!)
• Positive, creative, and fun work environment at one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies (*Ethisphere Institute)
• Opportunities to network with like-minded community members
• Professional development through Ten Thousand Villages staff evaluations and relevant training sessions

Interested applicants should submit brief letter of interest and resume to the Volunteer Coordinator, Alex Peters, at volunteers.austin@tenthousandvillages.com. Internship requires 15 hours per week based in our new location at 4803 Burnet Rd (some hours can be completed remotely) and will begin in early January 2015.