Ethics & Leadership in Business

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 110 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.

Events and Development 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, increasing their scope in the Austin community, and finding ways to expand our events. S/he will also help seek out new funding opportunities for the store, and execute on development initiatives.

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 10-15 hours per week (up to 20 hours/week around key event dates)
• Assist with the planning and strategizing of our store’s fair trade events, with a major focus on our Summer Neighborhood Happy Hour, International Peace Day festivities, and our annual One Reason Why fundraiser.
• Help to develop in-store community events program, including workshops and networking events
• Create e-mailouts, signage, and forms related to events
• Foster relationships with past and future event participants and partners through several channels
• Participate in event team meetings, and work collaboratively to achieve goals
• Customer service in store when needed, including verbally marketing events to customers
• Be an assertive advocate for Ten Thousand Villages of Austin inside and outside the store

Preferred Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency using Dropbox and Google Drive/Mail/Calendar, and able to learn new software quickly
• Comfortable juggling multiple tasks/projects and able to work efficiently to meet deadlines
• Comfortable writing emails and making phone calls to seek donations for our nonprofit organization
• 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 May 2016.

Social Media Marketing Internship –

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”! This person will contribute content to our blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and play an important role in our marketing strategy. 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 and Volunteer Coordinator to manage our social media presence, using our Editorial Calendar and Hootsuite to post content across our Facebook and Twitter profiles
• Create monthly social media reports and monitor activity and impact of posts
• Develop and implement creative techniques to increase reach and engagement and build community
• Create and implement innovative ways to utilize social media to attract potential customers and volunteers, and as an educational tool to inform the public on Fair Trade
• Cover local Fair Trade events on social media, and monitor Google Alerts for global fair-trade events and news
• Live-tweet major events in the store and fair trade community

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 and work with the Inventory Manager to tell those stories in store

Marketing (35%)

• Create and post promotional images/materials for major events, sales and initiatives
• 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
• Develop partnerships with other entities that enhance our sales, and review pop-up sale opportunities
• Be an assertive advocate for Ten Thousand Villages of Austin

Preferred Skills

• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, electronic)
• Proficiency using Dropbox, Google Drive, Mail and Calendar, and able to learn new software quickly
• Enjoys using Social Media – Facebook and Twitter experience essential
• Basic-Intermediate Graphic Design skills
• Marketing and/or Customer Service experience preferred
• 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 10 hours per week based in store at 4803 Burnet Rd (some hours can be completed remotely) and will begin in May 2016.