Throughout history there have been individuals, or groups of people, concerned for struggling minorities, for the injustices they face, for the gap between their lives and ours. Many of these people have gone unnoticed, others have taken on powerful forces in their community or at an international level, so that things might be put right. Either way their passion for justice and love of their fellow person runs deep within them all. At Tribes and Nations, we have developed the ‘Alternative Trader’ system so that if this passion is in you, you might be an example and a mouthpiece for justice in trade.
 
What is a Tribes and Nations Alternative Trader?

Tribes and Nations Alternative Traders are people who are looking for a practical, simple way to help people in developing countries work their way out of poverty. The scandal of debilitating poverty is a huge problem but many hands make light work. Simply through your presence you raise awareness and through your sales these neighbors are given a just reward for their labor. Tribes and Nations Alternative Traders buy from us at a discount then:
• Sell from stalls at Church, schools, universities and events and/or...

• Facilitates orders from family and friends and/or...

• Organise get togethers at home or at friends places and/or...
• Encourages the use of Tribes and Nations products in the workplace.

Tribes and Nations staff are always on hand to offer advice on ordering stock and promotional ideas. At a later date this may include advice on how to run a fair trade event in your town or suburb.

Becoming a Tribes and Nations Alternative Trader
This involves buying our products, receiving support from us to enable you to sell our products and (when you feel confident enough to be able to) speak about trade and poverty and what we can do to bring about change.
To get you started, we will provide you with some foundational tools so you can develop a deeper understanding of the issues of world trade and how some relatively small choices on our part, can make a massive impact for good.
We will provide you with:
• A start up kit including information on our partners, posters, and a
Tribes and Nations banner
• Discounts of up to 20% on all products
• $1000 credit account.
•      Modules, short 5 minute talks from which you can build relevant talks.
•       Annual meeting with us and other Tribes and Nations Alternative Traders.
•       Follow up calls each quarter to see how you are going and give you advice.
 

In a nutshell, the benefits you will bring to the community as an Alternative Trader are:
•      Further expand the markets of our fair trade partners.
•      Connect with people already keen to buy fair trade products.
•      Encourage people to make subtle but significant changes in their buying habits.
•      Bring fair trade products to the attention of the public, so they can see and taste the quality.
•      Bring to light the extent of unfair trade in the world. Most people are unaware but respond very favorably when they hear about it.
 
For yourself, you will be making the connection, mostly long since lost, between the producer and buyer. You can introduce people (customers) to people (producers) and show the customer how they are caring for the producer through buying fair trade products. By buying fair trade products, the benefits for the producer are many and we are careful and selective who we partner with and import fair trade products from. So you can be confident in letting your customers know that the products came from the hands of properly paid workers, that their conditions were good and that their bosses see them as more than just a money making tool.
 
Contract Basics
•Purchases of above $3000 per year in order to maintain your exclusive territory.
• Payment within 30 days on all orders.
•  $100 fully refundable deposit on sales aids such as signage, table cloth
• A territory is allotted to you where all other Tribes and Nations Alternative Traders are excluded from canvassing within.
• A commitment to clearly and transparently represent Tribe and Nations at any event.
• No contact in the future or currently, with our partners unless agreed.
• Advertise Tribes and Nations whenever you go out to any event.
• Receive a percentage of sales of any new customers who come directly to us. NB this does not refer to new Alternative Traders but only customers of yours who have been introduced to Tribes and Nations through you.