Help promote RNW this year!

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!

 

Register now to sponsor the 7th Great Cloth Nappy Hunt

September 2009 will once again be witness to people spending all hours of the day and night searching for the ever elusive Nappy Icon. If you are a WAHM and wish to have your web site explored by 1000’s of potential customers, then you should consider signing up to be a Sponsor.

For more information visit www.clothnappyhunt.com and have a look through the Rules and FAQ’s. The dates might not be updated from the March Hunt yet, but the rest of the information is valid and will give you an idea of what is involved.

In a nutshell, a Sponsor has to:

1. Donate a tangible prize (no gift vouchers or custom orders) valued at $15 or more.
2. Pay a Fee of $15 to cover postage of the prize to the winners and Programming/Hosting Fees to run the hunt.
3. Place the Sponsorship Button on the home page of your website like  this—>
4. Hide the Icon somewhere in your site during the month of September –>
5. Check the Diaper Decisions Forum DAILY during September to answer questions from the Hunters.

There are other bits and pieces to do, but that’s basically what you are responsible for. If this sounds easy enough to do, and you like the idea of a couple of thousand people looking through your site for the cost of $30, then go to www.clothnappyhunt.com and click on the Become a Sponsor Link to down load the rules and the application form. Have a careful read through them, fill out the application and send it to me by email

Important!!!!
1. Sponsor Numbers will be capped at 150. At the time of posting this Previous Sponsors have already taken up a third of the spots, and we process on a first come, first served basis, so don’t dally.
2. Applications close on the 15th of August BUT the administrators of the hunt are away from August 1 to 14. I don’t want to come back to process a bunch of applications on our return, so I ask you to please send in your applications now!
3. If you do send in your application whilst we are away, and there is something missing or incorrect, it needs to be rectified BY the 15th of August. If I don’t get to your email in time to get it fixed you will not be able to be a Sponsor.
4. Payment needs to be received by August 15th BUT you will not be able to pay until I have processed your application. So again, if you send your application while I am away, and there are too many to get through on my return, you might miss out on being a Sponsor.
5. Your prize needs to be received by us by August 20th. If I don’t get your application before we leave, then you will not know where to send the prize, and if you live in Perth or NZ, there is no guarantee that your prize will get here in time.

The point I am making is send in your application now!

Please post in this thread if you have any questions, or send me an email

>> Shane <<

 

Volunteer Positions Vacant with ANN

Volunteering for the Australian Nappy Network provides you with an opportunity to develop skills learned through previous study, experience or work. Using your skills to encourage more people to consider reusable cloth nappies is an enjoyable way to enhance your CV from home.

Editor & Writers for ANN eZine

We are looking for a new editor for our quarterly newsletter, the ANN eZine, The Nappy Wrap. The eZine editor is responsible for choosing topics for articles, coordinating writers, organising sponsor interviews, collating events for the ANN calendar, liasing with the sponsorship coordinator for advertisement placement, checking all articles submitted for print, and sourcing photographs for articles or ensuring appropriate photographs are submitted with articles. The eZine editor may also be responsible for the layout and final file if they choose or they can share this with another person.

We are also looking for writers for the eZine. These people will need to suggest and write articles which would include internet research, conducting interviews, sourcing/providing photographs, and submitting files for editing.

If you are interested in any of these eZine-related positions please contact rnw at reusablenappyweek dot com dot au

Project Coordinator

We are looking for someone to oversee and drive our projects. This person would not necessarily be involved in running a particular project but would ensure a project is being managed and progressing through to completion. This includes the planning and production of merchandising and other promotional materials, local government projects, service provider (hospitals, child care centres, doctors etc.) projects, marketing and obtaining funding/grants. If you are interested in this role please contact rnw at reusablenappyweek dot com dot au for more information or to express interest.

State Coordinators – Vic RNW Coordinator (filled) and TAS RNW Coordinator(applicant pending, but may need NT coord)

State coordinators are required in Vic and Tas to help organise events for RNW (which runs from October 12-18th in 2009). Events can be a small as a local group of mums meeting for coffee or as big as a Nappy Expo, the choice is yours. Resources such as promotional materials, funds, and so forth will be provided centrally so the main tasks of the coordinator are to find suitable venues and arrange the planning of the actual event(s) to be held. We currently have a temporary coordinator for Vic who would like to step down but can provide you with as much information as you would like to get you started with a couple of events already planned for 2009. The vacant position for Tasmania is a newly vacant position with some initial planning already taken place. Contact rnw at reusablenappyweek dot com dot au to express interest or request further information.

WA Social Organiser

We are looking for someone in WA to arrange regular social meets for cloth nappying parents. If you have access to a local Mum and Child friendly venue and want to help spread your love of cloth please contact rnw at reusablenappyweek dot com dot au

 

Issue 5 of The Nappy Wrap Avialable Now!

The Winter 2009 issue of ANN ezine “The Nappy Wrap” includes an article on Terry Squares, an introduction from our new Reusable Nappy Week Coordinator and a look at our winning Sponsors from the last Cloth Nappy Hunt.

You can download now it from our website.

If you enjoy reading Issue 5, click here to become a member of ANN to receive an advance preview of Issue 6 this coming Spring…!

 

RNW 2009 Ideas & Call for Volunteers!

REUSABLE NAPPY WEEK – October 12th – 18th

It’s all steam ahead with the planning for RNW 2009.  The theme chosen for RNW this year is CHOICE in nappying (Choose to Reuse). With reusable nappies you aren’t limited into one style of nappy which has been generally adapted for all babies. One of the great advantages of reusable nappies is that we can choose what will suit our babies’ individual needs from a wide variety of different systems. In addition, by choosing to reuse, you are also choosing to save money, and help the environment.

We have had our first big National Planning Meeting to get things underway with more to come over the coming months. If there’s an event you want to see near you, or you want to lend us a hand during RNW, we’d be happy to hear from you. We need to start locking in events and volunteers soon!  

Some ideas for the types of things that can be done are below, if you think that you can help organise any of these in your state, have some other event ideas or can you help in any way please contact your state co-ordinator  or come and join us on the ANN forum

* LOCAL “NAPPYCINO” OR GATHERING
As said many times, you don’t need to commit to doing a stint on TV or a talk to 100 parents, a simple coffee catch up at a chid friendly cafe, or better still, a park, goes down really well and is fun for all.

* LIBRARIES
Anyone willing to contact their local library about display space, and if they are willing to lend a nappy (or few) to the cause for a week, we can provide posters and flyers. A display at a library is fantastic exposure and low maintenance.

* LOCAL COUNCILS
If you have a contact at your local council or would like to seek their support could be useful.

* SEWING WORKSHOP
We have previously organised some great workshops and would love to hear from anyone keen to share their nappy sewing knowledge and perhaps make snap presses available. We are looking to have these in a number of states this year.

* WOOL DYEING/KNITTING WORKSHOP
Do you love your woollies as much as your nappies? Why not share the woolly love around and knit with friends? Perhaps you‘d like to have a go at dyeing your own wool but want someone more experienced to oversee it?

* FEATURE EVENT
Shopping Centre Displays/Expos have previously been run in the past, including fashion parades. All offers of help welcome.

* MEDIA
There will be a national, state and local approach regarding the media. Any tips/offers of help welcome.

* PROMOTION
If you could distribute posters, flyers and brochures in your local area to service providers and in locations frequented by parents with young children, we would greatly appreciate your offers of help.

We have PLI for any events that require it.

VIC CO-ORDINATOR – We also require a co-ordinator for VIC. Please let us know if you are interested.

GREAT DOWN UNDER NAPPY HUNT (Sept 09) – We may need some helpers to assist with Hunt organisation as well.

 

New RNW Facebook Page

Are you on Facebook?

Reusable Nappy Week has a new Facebook Fan Page… Come along and become a fan, and help to spread the word to your facebook friends and others about not only how great reusable nappies are, but how to find out more during our annual Reusable Nappy Week campaigns in October.

Reusable Nappy Week’s Facebook Page

Promote your Page too

 

Follow ANN on twitter

Australian Nappy Network has joined twitter…

Follow ANN updates here

 

ANN Events over Winter 09

Several ANN-related and promoted events are taking place in various locations around Australia over the coming winter months. To keep up to date with when and where these events are visit our website and check out the ANN online calendar.

Check for details of events in:

Queensland: Get togethers  and information sessions held regularly in Brisbane, Info Stall at Greenfest

Western Australia: Information Stall at Mandurah Living Smart Expo, 7 June 09

Victoria: Monthly information sessions in Northcote, and monthly meets currently being planned!

New South Wales: Social get togethers in Sydney

Australian Capital Territory: Monthly social nappy meets in Canberra

among others… Regularly updated, so stay tuned!

 

Are you a passionate cloth nappy advocate?

Are you a passionate cloth nappy advocate?

Do you enjoy sharing with others how to get the most out of their cloth nappies?

Do you want to meet others who share your passion? Would you like to direct your interest in cloth nappies into helping others access information (instead of spending more money a nappy stash!)?

Why not volunteer for the Australian Nappy Network!

All of our volunteers are parents, many of whom are not currently in the paid workforce. Volunteering can be an opportunity to update your skills or learn something new to add to your CV. The Australian Nappy Network is always looking for volunteers to fill roles within our organisation such as within advocacy projects or within the administration that keeps us running.

Reusable Nappy Week Volunteers: QLD, VIC, SA

Planning for Reusable Nappy Week (RNW) 2009 is underway, but the Australian Nappy Network is still recruiting volunteers to plan activities in a number of key states: Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Each state independently plans events for the week (which runs from October 12-18th in 2009) with resources such as promotional materials, funds, and so forth being provided centrally. Some states have individual coordinators and others are being planned by a team of enthusiastic parents.

If you can help coordinate RNW in any state or territory (but particularly in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia where our previous coordinators have stepped down) we’d love to hear from you! Coordination requires making sure that there are at least some events taking place in your state/territory, and can involve as many or as few events as we have the volunteer energy to run. Contact fiona at webwords dot net dot au to express interest

Volunteer Coordinator

We are in need of somebody who can act as Volunteer Coordinator – keeping in contact with volunteers, matching skills to needs and advertising voluntary positions. If you would like to have a go at this role, please email fiona at webwords dot net dot au to discuss.

Memberships

Finally, the Australian Nappy Network has as of the 1st of May decided to make membership free. All cloth nappy advocates are invited to become members, receive our regular ezines and so forth, and the capacity to access our public liability insurance for cloth nappy advocacy and represent us at events. This change is in recognition that our members are our most dedicated volunteers and we prefer not to ask our volunteers to pay for the privilege of helping us out. We do appreciate all donations however! Members can sign up via our website.  And lastly anyone can join our forum here where our plans for RNW and projects are discussed. If you are a member PM one of the moderators to make sure you get access to the members only discussions.

Happy advocacy!

 

ANN Press Release – UK Real Nappy Campaign 2009

ANN MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate release

UK REAL NAPPY CAMPAIGN – APRIL 2009

This year’s Real Nappy Campaign in the UK is advising parents to combat the credit crunch with real nappies. The UK Real Nappy Week (April 27 – May 3) coincides with an announcement by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that Australia has followed the world into a recession. During a time of economic hardship, the use of cloth nappies has been proven to save families $2000 per child.

Increasingly, cloth nappies are being seen as an economical alternative to disposables and Australia’s Fourth Annual Reusable Nappy Week (RNW) will be held from the 13th to the 18th of October. RNW is an advocacy event, used to raise awareness of the benefits of cloth nappying.

Outgoing RNW coordinator, Lucy Westerman, says she has seen a significant shift in awareness of reusable options during her time as a volunteer for the Australian Nappy Network.

“In the 5 years I have had my children in nappies, I have seen an incredible increase in availability, quality and awareness about reusable nappies in Australia. Anecdotally, there has been a distinct resurgence in the use of reusable nappies, with so many wonderful fabric, design and budget choices available.”

“When considering everything, including transport and laundering,” says Westerman, “Choosing reusable nappies can cost a meager 5c per nappy change, as opposed to throwing away more than 50c per single use nappy.”

Rosa Bohan, mother of two from Dubbo believes there is no better time to switch to cloth. “The financial savings are enormous,” she says. “It makes such a difference to the family budget when you can save between $30 and $50 a week at the checkout, simply by using cloth for one or two children.”

A number of local councils around Australia are supporting the use of cloth within communities. The City of Casey in Victoria is offering rebates on the purchase of a reusable nappy system and the City of Melbourne offers free advice, information and support to parents who are considering the switch to cloth.

Last year, a study found that the use of cloth nappies can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%. This, coupled with phenomenal savings and the ease of use of modern design cloth nappies, is effecting a shift in the way many Australian parents are choosing to nappy their children.

“When modern cloth nappies save thousands of dollars and require no pinning, soaking or folding, it’s getting harder for parents to find a good excuse to use disposables,” says Penrith mum, Emma Vieira. “Even working mums are finding that it’s just as easy to take cloth nappies to day care and run them through a quick wash in the evening.”

NOTES TO EDITORS
The Australian Nappy Network (ANN) is a non-profit organisation promoting the health, environmental and financial advantages of reusable nappies – more details can be found at www.australiannappynetwork.org.au. The ANN also organises the annual community education initiative Reusable Nappy Week, www.reusablenappyweek.com.au. Real Nappy Week in the UK is being co-ordinated by www.goreal.org.uk

Ends#

To arrange an interview, photo call or for further information please contact
Michelle Prince on 0404 309 370 or email Michelle.