Stephanie - 's Blog

Trying to do good - Part 3

Stephanie - — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:34:31 GMT

So this was the last day in this off-site meeting - where we needed to be quick to hide the recyclables, so the well meaning clean up crew didn't wisk them away to the trash.

I was again able to smuggle another bag of recyclables out of the hotel, but here's the fun part:

Another friend/colleague caught the bug. She actually pulled some recyclables out of the trash and helped me gather the recyclable things up at the end of the day.

It just goes to show that connecting with others and seeing the good they're doing really can change the world.

People on Razoo recycled office paper, and inspired me to go the extra mile to recycle other things. Now other people in my life are going the extra mile to recycle as well.

Together more good happens :)

Bambootique

Stephanie - — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 03:19:16 GMT

Hey, Hey, Fair Traders.

I just wanted to draw your attention to a fun online store that is entirely fair trade. There are products from Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Honduras, Guatemala and Cambodia.

There's a lot of really pretty stuff, and like I said it's all fair trade.

The web-site is: www.shopbambootique.com.

I hope you check it out, and like it.

Trying to do good - Part 2

Stephanie - — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:03:59 GMT

Woo hoo!

Despite sad beginings today I was able to smuggle over 20 recyclables out of the hotel where we are working today.

Bonus - we got a lot of great work done too.

Bummer - I think my boss thinks I'm nuts with my recycling craze.

(If this makes no sense - see my Soapbox - Trying to do good - posted 6/19/07 for details)

Innovatorz

Stephanie - — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:51:10 GMT

If you are a social entrepreneur you may want to check out www.innovatorz.org.

They are story tellers that help entrepreneurs tell their stories through blogs/podcasts/etc.

I don't know them terribly well, but the little I do know I've been impressed with and thought they may be a great resource for entrepreneurs trying to get their story out.

Trying to do good

Stephanie - — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:46:06 GMT

There was a big bummer in my effort to do good today. At an all day work meeting (held off site at a hotel conference room) sodas (in aluminum cans) and water (from plastic bottles) were being consummed like air. I was eager to take an opportunity to get my colleagues involved in my new found passion for recycling. We had a box top sitting on a chair that we easily filled that I was planning on bringing home tonight to recycle. At lunch we were able to tell the hotel staff not to take the recyclables, but that we would recycle them. Unfortunately, we left the room for dinner. Much to my dismay - when we returned to our room the box top with all of our recyclables were gone.

Good news - I was able to kindly (sweetly even) express to the staff that while we are there we would appreciate it if they would not take our recyclables, but allow us to take them with us as we leave. They are leaving a note of our request for those cleaning the area.

A thwarted plan for doing good, will certainly not stop us from trying again tomorrow.

Go Ahead - Make a Difference

Stephanie - — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:21:11 GMT

Eeek. Hate to say it, but I haven't been a tree hugger since middle school. I think it all came crumbling down when my in my excitement about the 100 ways I could change the planet, I wasn't chosen to be in the ecology club. Sad times. Ha!

Now because of all you recyclers on Razoo - my environmentally sensitive conscience has returned. I find I just can't throw away something that can be recycled.

While away at a conference this weekend - my friends and I actually had a recycling bag to bring back all of our recycleables - on an 11 hour road trip! Woo Hoo! A little extra effort - a long way to travel.

I just wanted to encourage all who visit this page to go ahead and make a difference. The more little steps you take, the more you'll want to take bigger ones.

A New Hope for Prostitutes

Stephanie - — Sun, 20 May 2007 00:02:01 GMT

Nightlight Bangkok and Rahab Ministries are two organizations working to help women leave prostituion in Southeast Asia. They have really amazing models, and are definitely worth looking into. Both organizations train women to make a living through other means rather than the commercial sex trade. They teach the women to make jewelry. The jewelry is BEAUTIFUL and is available for sale on-line. I've purchased from Nightlight, and have friends who have purchased from Rahab. Everyone who has made a purchase has been happy with their purchase and with helping women have a choice of a different life.

In addition to the links for the organizations in the related links section you can read "Life as a Thai Sex Worker" a Feb2007 BBC article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6360603.stm.

It's interesting to learn how women are lured into the trade when there are so few options, but that hope is possible for women when they have a better option.