Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2002

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WORLDLY GOODS
IOWA STATERS GIVE, RECEIVE, AND KEEP ON LEARNING

The first time Shellie Orngard (’83 journalism, MA ’85 English) walked into the Wordly Goods international gift store, she was hooked, both as a customer and a volunteer. Orngard, a program assistant with ISU’s Life in Iowa program, is one of a vital core of Iowa Staters who contribute to the Worldly Goods effort in downtown Ames, Iowa.

As a customer, it’s hard not to be hooked. What’s not to like? Handcrafted gifts from more than 33 countries are beautifully displayed in the little store: carved animals from Kenya, filmy tunics from India, jewelry from Mexico, masks from Indonesia, and pillows from Guatemala. The walls are lined with musical instruments, baskets, and vases from around the world, and everything is priced right.

At Worldly Goods, the meaning of “priced right” doesn’t just mean the price is a bargain for the customer. (Although indeed it is: A lined basket from Vietnam with ceramic handles costs $6.95.) It also means the merchandise is ethically and fairly priced so that the artisan who created it will benefit. A nonprofit store staffed almost entirely by volunteers, the goal of the operation is to return profits directly to creators of the gifts so that they are paid a fair wage for their work. Suppliers include the nonprofit operation Ten Thousand Villages, which pays artists 50 percent in advance and which is committed to environmentally sound business practices and healthy, safe working conditions.

Most of the artists live in developing countries and depend on sales to sustain themselves and their families. Hanging on the wall is a note from one of the artists, Gloria from Guatemala. “Tell the customers this work helps me very much. I am a widow and work here full time. I have four children, and all of them go to school. I put my name on each piece I make so customers will know who I am.”

“I was immediately attracted,” said Orngard, “I went straight home and filled out an application form to be a volunteer.” Like the other 75 volunteers, Orngard helps sell merchandise and answers customers’ questions. In addition, she provides marketing, writing, and editing support, and she just completed a term as president of the operation’s board of directors.

Orngard and her co- volunteers are quick to say that they receive as much from Worldly Goods as they give. Carlie Tartakov (Ph.D ’95 professional studies), also a member of the board who recently retired from ISU’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, says, “It is a pleasure to be part of something that is evolving and growing.”

And there is no question that the little store has grown. Worldly Goods volunteers recently celebrated their 15th anniversary, and noted that the first year the store opened, it made $15,000. Sales this year were about $160,000. One third of the profits are returned to the artists.

“Volunteers are not driven by money,” says Martin. “It’s always a good management practice to tap into what drives people, but it’s particularly important with volunteers.” Martin is unhurried and good-natured, as she simultaneously answers questions from volunteers and customers. “You have to be patient,” she explains. “If someone only volunteers once a month, they’re going to forget fairly easily. Training is ongoing.”

Martin makes liberal use of expertise from Iowa State. A graphic design class designed a new brochure and store sign. A marketing class studied the store’s mission, and recommended more outreach – a suggestion Martin intends to implement. Visual merchandising classes design window displays, and a Web design class created a new site. One of the country’s foremost experts on fair trade issues, Mary Littrell, ISU professor of textiles and clothing, is a former chair of the store’s board of directors.

Iowa State is receiving as much as it’s giving: The store provides a laboratory for students and faculty that is real-life and cross-disciplinary. Teachers and students in the areas of business, retail sales, arts and crafts, textiles and clothing, anthropology, and international relations both give to and receive from the Worldly Goods cause as they practice their skills. The student community provides a constant turnover of new people to educate about fair trade and to entice into the store. Worldly Goods makes its presence known at ISU’s annual “Welcome Fest” for freshmen, and during the holiday season, works with the Memorial Union Student Union Board to sell gifts at the Union. “There’s always somebody to tell about fair trade and Worldly Goods. And there’s always something new to learn,” says Martin, who recently traveled to Vietnam with a trip organized by Ten Thousand Villages. “It was an incredible experience to visit with the artists.

“The store keeps growing, and I keep growing.”

About the Writer | Karol Crosbie was the associate editor of VISIONS magazine.