Brisbane Cloth Nappy Expo: Change of Date: NOW SUNDAY 8^TH NOVEMBER

Brisbane City Council has changed the date of the fair within which our 4^th annual cloth nappy expo will be housed.  Please note the revised call for expressions of interest below and accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.  Regards Marijke, Qld Coordinator, RNW.

Here’s an Opportunity for all Brisbane Nappy Businesses!

If your business is within travelling distance of Brisbane you will be pleased to know that the ANN is organising a 4th Brisbane Cloth Nappy Expo to be held during Reusable Nappy Week this year on Sunday 8^th November, 2009.

The Expo will be housed within a sustainability fair held by the Brisbane City Council in the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, next a flea market which attracts 4000 people most Sundays. We will advertise our expo separately but should also benefit from BCC advertising of the larger event and walk by business. Hence we hope crowds will be even bigger than last year where over 150 people came through the door. This is a good opportunity to make on the spot sales or at a minimum have lots of people looking at your lovely nappies and taking home a business card!

Participating businesses will be given a table (or stand) within the Cloth Nappy Expo Marquee which will be in the babies and childrens’ section of the expo. We have also been promised a speaking slot at the nearby “parents’ café” to present an information seminar on reusable nappies and to point people to the nearby expo.

There will probably be a small charge for participating businesses, however the BCC and the ANN are aware of the imperative to keep costs down given that many businesses are fairly small enterprises. Please note all businesses will also need to have their own public liability insurance.

We are currently looking for expressions of interest in having a stand at this event. If you are interested please email the Queensland RNW Coordinator on qld@nappynetwork.org.au . You will be informed of all further deadlines and requirements as they arise!

Help us spread the word about Reusable Nappy Week 2009 by using one of the buttons, banners or signatures below on your blog, website or forum profiles (check permissions with the forum if think you might need to). In keeping with the 2009 RNW theme of ‘choice’, we have provided you with a wide range of choices to capture the attention of your audiences!

Simply choose which of the buttons or images you would like to use, right click on the image, select ‘Save image as…’ and save it somewhere on your PC. Position it on your profile and point a hyperlink to the Reusable Nappy Week website (use either http://bit.ly/wfqWn or http://www.reusablenappyweek.com.au both of which go to the Reusable Nappy Week website )

What an easy way to let other people know about Reusable Nappy Week and modern cloth nappies!

Feel free to share the buttons and suggest other people use them, mention them on facebook, twitter, your website or blog! Help us spread the word about Reusable Nappy Week!

The cloth nappy community has risen to the occassion and shown how caring and generous they are. There are many things happening at the moment to raise money for relief charities and also to provide cloth nappies to those who have lost everything in the fires.

Below is a list of who is doing what in our community, it makes you proud to be a “clothie”, please show them your support!

Itti Bitti Nappies http://www.ittibitti.com.au/ is donating $15000 worth of nappy products and co-ordinating their distribution with an aid agency 
Nurture Nappies http://www.nurturenappies.com.au.com/ is distributing nappy care packages
Baby BeeHinds http://www.babybeehinds.com.au/ have made a direct cash donation to the Red Cross fire appeal
Nappycino http://www.nappycino.com.au/forum/ is co-ordinating a nappy drive to collect nappies for families identifed as in need
Ozebaby http://ozebaby.com.au/store/202 hosting auctions to raise funds
Cloth Pads Shop http://bushfire.clothpadshop.com/hosting auctions to raise funds
Minicuteture http://www.minicuteture.com.au/ hosting auctions to raise funds
Yarn Collective http://www.yarncollective.com/ hosting auctions to raise funds
Gossamer Dreams http://www.gossamerdreams.com.au/ auctions with funds raised being donated to the Red Cross Bush Fire Appeal
Wahmnaps http://www.wahmnaps.com/store.php?VS=87 hosting auctions with funds raised donated to CFA
Baby safari http://www.babysafari.com.au/ 30% of all our sales will go to Bushfire Appeals.
Cherubs Kiss http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store/5 auction with funds raised being donated to the Red Cross Bush Fire Appeal
Nappies Covered http://www.nappiescovered.com.au co-ordinated a sew up of baby blankets, snugglies and face washers with all materials donated by the store.
Twinkle Lily http://www.twinklelily.com/ 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Oz Baby Trends http://www.ozbabytrends.com.au/ 14-21 February, all profits from the sale of the Pop-In and Dri-Night Booster will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Brindabella baby http://www.brindabellababy.com.au/node/2395 donating 20% of all sales from February to the Red Cross for bushfire relief
Bizy Bee Nappies http://www.wahmnaps.com/store.php?VS=5 10% of money from the night nappies will be donated to red cross for the Vic Bush Fire Appeal
CGR Design http://www.cgrdesign.com.au auction with all monies going directly to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Cushie Tushies http://www.cushietushies.com.au/ 20% off coutures, with all profits from sales being donated to Red Cross and RSPCA bushfire appeals
Cinderella’s Stash http://cinderellas-stash.au.com/shop/ 5% discount for the month of march for the GDUNH. That saving of 5% will be donated to the bushfire appeal. Also collecting pillow cases  & crocheting for pouches for orphaned animals
Cupcake Couture http://www.cupcakecouture.com.au/ donating $5 from every item purchased until further notice
Green Kids http://www.greenkids.com.au/ have made a direct cash donation to the Red Cross fire appeal
Darlings Down Under http://www.darlingsdownunder.com.au/ 10% of sales from 11th &12th Feb donated to Bushfire Appeal
Ladybug Loops http://www.minicuteture.com.au/store.php?SS=19 proceeds from purchases of the Ladybug Loops Baby Pants and Baby skirt patterns to be donated to the Bushfire Appeal until the end of March
Loopy Lily http://www.minicuteture.com.au/store/2 holding a charity auction and donating proceeds from March 1st stocking
Mandy Mac http://www.mandymac.com.au/ is accepting donations of craft supplies for the Kinglake kindergarten when it re-opens and is also donating $2 cash to the Red Cross for every nappy sold til the end of next week.
Maz-a-licious http://wahmnaps.com/store.php?VS=12 is donating 10% of sales of it’s Valentines day ‘2 up’  Satruday the 14th of February. Also the full purchase price of Chenille minkee wipes will be donated to the fire appeal
Minilala http://www.lalababy.com.au/ 50% of profits from the sales of all remaining stock will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Picanini http://www.clothpadshop.com/about.php?T=about_store&VS=13 proceeds of auctions being donated towards the Victorian Bushfire appeal.
Obsidian Star http://www.obsidianstar.com.au and http://obsidianstar.clothpadshop.com 10% of all sales to bush fire relief funds
Sugar Shots http://www.shop.sugarshots.com.au/ auctioning products to raise funds
The Crafty Caterpillar http://www.thecraftycaterpillar.com.au/ donating 20% of all sales to the Red Cross
TB Cards http://www.tbcards.com.au/ 50% of all profits made from sales placed between 10 February and 13 February will be donated directly the the Bushfire Appeal
Virgo Knits http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=24 knitting special pouches/bags for Animal Refuge Centres in Victoria and ditributing free pattern to other knitters
Poppy bean and bloss http://www.poppybeanandbloss.com.au/donating hand made toys to The Toy Society for distribution to fire affected children

To celebrate Reusable Nappy Week, any new member or subscriber who joins ANN during October 2008 will automatically (yep, you don’t have to do anything other than join up and pay!) will go in the draw to win a subscription to Kindred magazine (valued at $33). The winner will be drawn randomly during the first week of November 08 and notified by mid November 08.

Increase your chances of winning a prize during Reusable Nappy Week by attending a free Reusable Nappy Week event.  Many of our event coordinators are offering door prizes! You could also provide feedback on events you attend to go into the draw to win a prize! You can complete the survey here.

Lots of opportunities to win during Reusable Nappy Week and October 2008! Good luck!

Are you on Facebook? The Australian Nappy Network is with links to our blog, calendar and events. Become a fan to show your support for the ANN’s efforts to raise the profile of reusable nappies. RSVP to one of our events such as the Great Down Under Cloth Nappy Hunt (GDUNH) or Reusable Nappy Week in your State. Come and check it out!

Join the ANN today to go into the draw to win a subscription to Kindred magazine, valued at over $30, or one of 2 other prizes valued at over $30 each! Go to www.nappynetwork.org.au to find out how to join up and support reusable nappy advocacy in Australia! See here for more information!

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEMBERS AND SPONSORS

To thank our sponsors, at the completion of their first year of sponsorship the ANN will extend all sponsorsors who have been confirmed by payment before the 31 August 2008, by 3 months. This extension will only apply to sponsors for whom we have received at least their first instalment before 31st August, and will not apply to sponsorships that cease prior to the first anniversary of their sponsorship commencing.

We would also like to take the opportunity to thank our subscribers and members to date, so the ANN will extend the membership/subscription by 3 months for anyone taking out a subscription or membership prior to 31st August 2008. This will be in addition to the extension available for individuals who have assisted the ANN in a volunteer capacity in the past.

Additionally, as a further expression of our gratitude for our members’ and subscribers’ support, we will run a draw for all current paid members as at the end of 31 July 2008 to win one of 3 prizes valued at approximately $35 each. If you are not yet a member and would like to join now to be eligible for the draw visit our website www.nappynetwork.org.au. Winners will be notified by email before 5th August 2008 and announced on our website and in the Spring edition of The Nappy Wrap.

After years of planning, brainstorming, collaborating and dreaming, the Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd (ANN) invites you to join us on our quest to spread the word to the wider community about the many benefits of reusable nappies.

About Modern Cloth Nappies

Cloth nappies have come a long way since terry squares and buckets full of bleach. Today’s modern cloth nappies use smart designs and innovative new fabrics, and require no pinning or soaking. They can be reused over and over, making them cheaper – and far less polluting – than single use nappies. So modern cloth nappies are a great choice for parents – if only more parents knew about them! The challenge for the Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd is to raise the profile of modern cloth nappies, so that parents know there is a better alternative to disposables.

About the Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd

The ANN is a not-for-profit organisation, the goal of which is to educate the Australian community on the health, environmental and financial benefits of using cloth nappies. We will be drawing on the combined skills, enthusiasm and experience of individuals and businesses like you to operate.

Our flagship national event is Reusable Nappy Week™, held in October each year. Reusable Nappy Week™ features events right around Australia, from capital cities to regional centres. Highlights include public information sessions, nappy displays, media events and community gatherings.

ANN members also run regular community-focused events, such as classes at maternity hospitals, workshops, markets and expo stalls. Each State and Territory Coordinator in the ANN has a nappy sample kit, used to provide hands-on education about modern cloth nappies.

Online

The online presence of the Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd, where we will keep all our online resources and announce our various advocacy events & projects is at www.nappynetwork.org.au Bookmark it now.

The ANN Work Programme

The Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd knows that the task of changing entrenched attitudes to cloth and disposable nappies is a large one. Around 95 per cent of Australian parents use disposable nappies, at a high cost to them and to the environment. In order to redress this imbalance, the ANN will:

COORDINATE national cloth nappy advocacy activities.

CONNECT healthcare professionals, local authorities, local businesses and parents.

INFORM Australian parents, through campaigns and local-level activities, using consistent, impartial information.

SUPPORT parents, the cloth nappy industry and researchers.

CAMPAIGN to have stakeholders in the community recognise and promote the financial, health and environmental advantages of cloth nappies.

INNOVATE to help reduce the ecological impact of nappy use at all points of the supply chain, from cropping to laundry techniques.

How Can You Help?

There are now opportunities for individuals and businesses from all realms of the reusable nappy world to support the work of the Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd, through individual membership and volunteer advocacy roles, and business sponsorships and advertising packages.

http://www.nappynetwork.org.au/supportus1.php

Assisting the ANN financially will assist with providing the resources to disseminate information.

Individuals

Besides donations, which are always welcome, there are 2 ways individuals can support the ANN:

Subscriber

By becoming a Subscriber, whereby you receive a pack of advocacy material, a subscription to the ANN eZine and 5% discount on all ANN merchandise, and

Member

By becoming a Member, whereby you receive all of the above and you also have the right to do or supervise ANN advocacy work as a Community Nappy Advocate and have voting rights at all ANN general meetings.

Please note on your application any voluntary contributions to ANN projects, events and activities, past, present and future, as we will extend the duration of eligible memberships to show our appreciation.

Business Sponsorship

There are a variety of Sponsorship packages and advertising opportunities available for businesses. Please see our website for details.

We appreciate your patience and support and hope you share our excitement as we fully and finally launch the ANN.

Australian Nappy Network™ Ltd

www.nappynetwork.org.au