Information for Prospective Volunteers
We are pleased that you are considering an association with Ten Thousand Villages in Charlottesville. One of the most important qualifications is enthusiasm for our mission and an understanding of our program. The rewards for this job come from treating our neighbors around the world in a just manner and helping to equalize (in a small but significant way) the distribution of wealth in our world. We also feel that one of the rewards is working together with a team of staff and volunteers who are all committed to this mission.
What is Ten Thousand Villages?
Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit organization. Ten Thousand Villages operates as a business with a compassionate mission by maintaining integrity in our actions and relationships. We are a nonprofit program of Mennonite Central Committee, the service, relief and development agency of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches of North America. MCC is a nonprofit charitable organization based in Akron, PA. Ten Thousand Villages has been working with people around the world since 1946.
The mission of Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages sees the production and marketing of crafts as one good way to meet human needs and address unjust living conditions around the world. Our primary concerns are the economic welfare of craftspeople and the promotion of human dignity. Our mission statement:
Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. We work with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing.
Fair Trade and Alternative Trade Organizations
Ten ThousandVillages is an alternative trade organization (ATO), a business that markets products from developing countries following the principles of fair trade. These organizations strive to offer a different method of international commerce through relationships that are non-exploitative and socially responsible. ATO’s usually work closely with artisan groups on trade concerns including product design, quality issues and the logistics of packing and shipping items.
It is a partnership based on dialogue, mutual understanding and respect. Fair trade means that artisans are adequately compensated for their input. Fair trade philosophy encourages empowerment of the artisans and seeks long-term improvement in their quality of life. Fair trade empowers artisans through fair compensation, cash advances and prompt final payments, design assistance, and long-term relationships.
Volunteer Sales Associate
Job Description
Ten Thousand Villages in Charlottesville
Objective
To advance our mission to provide fair wage income for artisans in Africa, Asia and Latin America by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories. Volunteer associates work with other staff members to help customers enjoy their shopping experience.
Requested Commitment
We ask that volunteers consider a long-term commitment (over 6 months) with us, as many hours are invested in your training. We prefer that volunteer sales associates commit to working in the store once a week during a fixed shift, but ask for a minimum of two shifts per month. Most shifts are four hours long. As this is a retail environment, promptness and dependability are crucial to our ability to provide the best customer service possible. It is expected that volunteersconsistently arrive on time for a scheduled shift. If a volunteer is unable to work their scheduled shift, they will be asked to contact the store as soon as possible. Clear, timely communication is of the utmost importance and a requirement in order to maintain a volunteer position with Ten Thousand Villages in Charlottesville.
Duties
Staff members are to follow sales and service standards when working with customers. Specific responsibilities will vary but may include any of the following:
»Greeting customers and welcoming them into the store
»Sharing artisan stories, the concept of fair trade, and the mission of Ten Thousand Villages
»Helping customers select merchandise
»Using the cash register to complete sales transactions
»Unpacking, pricing and restocking incoming shipments of merchandise
»Stayingupdated on product knowledge, artisan stories, and new policies and procedures
»Assisting with setting up or adjustingmerchandise displays
»Dusting and other light housekeeping
»Other duties as assigned
Note: typical physical demands include the ability to move around the shop for four hours, bending and stretching in close places and some lifting of products and boxes.
Qualifications
Sales associates should practice good communication and interpersonal skills, including active listening skills and an ability to work well with others. Associates should understand and agree with the mission of providing vital, fair income to artisans in developing countries by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.
Recommended Attire
Sales associates should dress in clean, stain-free clothing and comfortable shoes, in a “dressy casual” style. Shorts, short skirts, denim, flip-flops, and shirts with graphics, bare midriffs, low necklines or sleeveless shirts and tank tops are not appropriate. Volunteers are encouraged to dress simply and accessorize with a Ten Thousand Villages necklace or scarf during the work shift.
Sallie Slater/Manger Elizabeth Gipson/AssistantManager