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 St.Cloud Civic Center
10 4th Ave South
St. Cloud, MN 56301 | The 2nd Annual First Steps Baby Expo will be held April 16, 2011 at the St. Cloud Civic Center. The goal of the First Steps Baby Expo is to provide expectant parents, new parents and their support people with information that will help them prepare for pregnancy, their newborn and all the way up to preschool. 10am - 3pm Saturday April 16th 2011 General Admission $3.00 ~ Children 5 & Under FREE I am proud to be an exhibitor! Check out my facebook event for this! See you there! |
We are hosting a site! Details to come! Register at left!
April 23rd 2011 11:00am Bring: Your Family Friends welcome too! Each baby to be changed needs an adult to change them. Your Diapers If you use disposables, no worries! We will have cloth diapers available for use! Your ID Cost: FREE $1.00 SUGGESTED donation for the Real Diaper Association ***Baby must be 39" or less to count*** What is the Great Cloth Diaper Change of 2011? On April 23, 2011 families around the world will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most babies and tots changed into cloth diapers simultaneously. The event is organized by the Real Diaper Association (RDA; a non-profit advocacy group) and several other cloth diapering companies and advocates. I am in my first year as a business member of the RDA and am working on starting a Cloth Diaper Circle! Why April 23rd? Since one of the benefits to cloth diapering is to better the environment the RDA chose April 23rd since Earth Day is observed on April 22nd. The Great Cloth Diaper Change currently has over 190 registered hosts across the world – not just in the United States! Each registered event must have a minimum of 25 babies or toddlers to be considered a qualifying event according to the Guinness Book of World Records. If the event were held today and each event had 25 participants that would be 4,125 cloth diapers changed at the same time. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about modern, reusable cloth diapers and how easy they are to use. If you are in the Greater Northern Minnesota area? Would you like to participate? Be sure to tell your friends and families to follow our page on facebook and share it with their friends. Our event will take place at a public location still to be determined. Not in the Greater Northern MN area? Don’t worry with over 165 events already registered in the first week I’m sure there is an event coming to your area. You can follow the main Great Cloth Diaper Change page on Facebook or visit their website for a complete list of locations. If you’d like to host and event contact Kim @ Rockin Green. |
WHAT IS KICKSTARTER?
Kickstarter is an amazing website dedicated to funding artistic and
creative projects! What an exciting concept! Kickstarter is connected to
Amazon.com and allows people to pledge toward projects using all major
credit cards and bank cards. Unfortunately, they do not currently accept
PayPal. Kickstarter works on an all or nothing concept. Every project
has a funding goal to meet to ensure that the project can be completed
and that backer rewards can be fulfilled. If funding is not successful,
nobody is charged and nothing happens. When funds are met, only then
will cards be charged.
WHAT IS THIS PROJECT? My plan is to create a coffee-table style full-color book using photo-journalism to display the concerns I have about diapering today. The word about cloth diapering is slowly spreading, but often times I believe concepts like this (especially in the beginning) come across as some activist shoving information in people's faces. Pardon my harsh description, but it's the stereo-type given. I want the majority of this book to be images to SHOW people exactly what we are talking about. I will of course use words, facts, and share stories... but I want at least 3/4 of each page to be about an image. I want people to SEE the landfills. I want people to SEE the health concerns. I want people to SEE how easy cloth diapering is now. The world today is very visual, and I think this is the best way to get the word out. I have already received some attention from local newspapers, but I believe once this book is published it will receive even more attention -- one major goal is that it will make it on tv, the most common visual place to learn in the USA these days. Here is a link to the newspaper article published in the Portland Tribune about this project: http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php... Also, here is a link to my blog where I do much of my planning: http://thedirtiesondiapering.blogspot.com For more facts and information about disposable vs. cloth diapering, please visit the Real Diaper Association webpage! http://realdiaperassociation.org/
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? Many people looking at this project already know why cloth diapering itself is so important... but this project is important to me because most people that choose disposables do so because they don't even know there is a choice. Most people who use disposables still think cloth diapers are pre-folds and rubber pants! Or if they do know about today's cloth diapers they are looking at the upfront cost of just one kind of diaper! They aren't looking at the money they will save long term, or that there are cheaper cloth options out there. And yes, the environmental aspect is important to me, but for everyday people that's all they see people being concerned about. Parents often have no idea that they are putting toxic chemicals on their baby all day and every day for years! I want to use this book as a way to educate people. I've had people come to me about why am I using such a main-stream and more expensive publishing company? Because it's not just publishing the book that is important to me. I already know that local eco stores will be happy to sell this book. But I want this book to be in Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.com and in Borders book stores where ALL moms will see the issue! It's all about spreading the word!
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? Along with that fuzzy feel good feeling you get when you support something that could help change the world in a positive way, you will be rewarded with gifts for backing this project! Yay! You can pledge as little as $1, but the more you pledge the more you get back! You can find all of the rewards for this project along the right side of this page. It's just my little way of saying Thank You for your amazing support! Also! Calling all Green Mama Bloggers! Anyone who blogs about this project, please post a link to your blog in the comments section of this page! If the project is successful, I will make sure that any blogger supporting this project receives a copy for themself and a copy to give away! Sometimes spreading the word goes a long way, and I want to say thank you for helping!
A FREE WAY TO DONATE $1! Exciting news today!! Red Tricycle has gernerously offered to donate $1 to The Dirties on Diapering for each person that signs up for their FREE online newsletter! Here's the link: http://www.redtri.com/newsletter-signup and put "Dirties on Diapering" in the referred by box! That's it! Red Tricycle is your local playtime authority, offering fun things for you to see, make, eat and do with your kids in your neighborhood! It's a great website too with lots of great parenting tips and ideas! So sign up today and tell your friends! Thank you so much to Red Tricycle and everyone supporting this project!
BACKER GIVEAWAY! And if the rewards aren't enough... if my project is successful, I'm excited to give away a dozen cloth diapers to one random backer! Everyone who backs this project, no matter what dollar amound (even just $1!) will get a chance to win! The lucky winner can choose any brand and diapering system -- as long as it's cloth! I know you can get excited about that!
BOOK CONTENT: 1. History of Diapering .....a. Different Cultures .....b. Invention of the Disposable 2. Health Concerns .....a. Toxic Chemicals .....b. Baby's Health (Rash, Athsma, etc.) 3. Environmental Concerns .....a. Landfills .....b. Water 4. Economical Impact .....a. Cost Comparisons .....b. Impact on the Business World 5. Cloth Diapering Today .....a. Types .....b. Washing .....c. Hospitals & Daycares .....d. Traveling Tips 6. Cloth Stories (Moms, Companies, Activists, Organizations)
WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO? 1. Publisher Costs 2. Kickstarter -- 5% 3. Amazon Credit Card Processing Fees -- %2.5 + 0.30/transaction 4. Backer Rewards 5. Photo-Journalism: .....Travel to Hospitals, Landfills, Disposable Companies, Cloth Companies, & Moms .....Supplies & Equipment
Total Estimated Cost: $6,000-$7,000 on a tight budget.
The last two times my funding goal was $8,000 but I'm determined to do this even if I end up paying into it myself too! So I'm setting the funding goal at the bare minimum this time - $6,000. Hopefully since Kickstarter is an all of nothing site, we can make it this time! They do allow funding to continue and go over if the funding is met before the 90 days, so maybe we'll even go above and beyond this time! Thank you again everyone for your amazing support!
MY CREDENTIALS: I'm a mom of 2 little ones in diapers -- I've used both disposables and cloth before, but am now proudly 100% cloth! I'm a portrait photographer in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon. I specialize in children, but also do families, HS seniors, pregnancies, couples, weddings, parties, events, art, and more (sugarsnapphoto.com)! Before I had my own children, I worked as a writer and producer at local television stations here in Oregon. I've worked in both the Portland and Eugene news markets. I wrote mostly local news stories and organized content of the newscast, deciding what was in and what was out! I have been doing photography since high school, and took many college courses in photography, film, and journalism.
***Please Note*** This project's intent is to have a positive impact and I will not support speaking negatively of any specific company. This is an opportunity for ALL green companies, no matter how perfect, to come together and help make a change. Baby steps. Baby steps.
Project location: Portland, OR
WHAT IS THIS PROJECT? My plan is to create a coffee-table style full-color book using photo-journalism to display the concerns I have about diapering today. The word about cloth diapering is slowly spreading, but often times I believe concepts like this (especially in the beginning) come across as some activist shoving information in people's faces. Pardon my harsh description, but it's the stereo-type given. I want the majority of this book to be images to SHOW people exactly what we are talking about. I will of course use words, facts, and share stories... but I want at least 3/4 of each page to be about an image. I want people to SEE the landfills. I want people to SEE the health concerns. I want people to SEE how easy cloth diapering is now. The world today is very visual, and I think this is the best way to get the word out. I have already received some attention from local newspapers, but I believe once this book is published it will receive even more attention -- one major goal is that it will make it on tv, the most common visual place to learn in the USA these days. Here is a link to the newspaper article published in the Portland Tribune about this project: http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php... Also, here is a link to my blog where I do much of my planning: http://thedirtiesondiapering.blogspot.com For more facts and information about disposable vs. cloth diapering, please visit the Real Diaper Association webpage! http://realdiaperassociation.org/
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? Many people looking at this project already know why cloth diapering itself is so important... but this project is important to me because most people that choose disposables do so because they don't even know there is a choice. Most people who use disposables still think cloth diapers are pre-folds and rubber pants! Or if they do know about today's cloth diapers they are looking at the upfront cost of just one kind of diaper! They aren't looking at the money they will save long term, or that there are cheaper cloth options out there. And yes, the environmental aspect is important to me, but for everyday people that's all they see people being concerned about. Parents often have no idea that they are putting toxic chemicals on their baby all day and every day for years! I want to use this book as a way to educate people. I've had people come to me about why am I using such a main-stream and more expensive publishing company? Because it's not just publishing the book that is important to me. I already know that local eco stores will be happy to sell this book. But I want this book to be in Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.com and in Borders book stores where ALL moms will see the issue! It's all about spreading the word!
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? Along with that fuzzy feel good feeling you get when you support something that could help change the world in a positive way, you will be rewarded with gifts for backing this project! Yay! You can pledge as little as $1, but the more you pledge the more you get back! You can find all of the rewards for this project along the right side of this page. It's just my little way of saying Thank You for your amazing support! Also! Calling all Green Mama Bloggers! Anyone who blogs about this project, please post a link to your blog in the comments section of this page! If the project is successful, I will make sure that any blogger supporting this project receives a copy for themself and a copy to give away! Sometimes spreading the word goes a long way, and I want to say thank you for helping!
A FREE WAY TO DONATE $1! Exciting news today!! Red Tricycle has gernerously offered to donate $1 to The Dirties on Diapering for each person that signs up for their FREE online newsletter! Here's the link: http://www.redtri.com/newsletter-signup and put "Dirties on Diapering" in the referred by box! That's it! Red Tricycle is your local playtime authority, offering fun things for you to see, make, eat and do with your kids in your neighborhood! It's a great website too with lots of great parenting tips and ideas! So sign up today and tell your friends! Thank you so much to Red Tricycle and everyone supporting this project!
BACKER GIVEAWAY! And if the rewards aren't enough... if my project is successful, I'm excited to give away a dozen cloth diapers to one random backer! Everyone who backs this project, no matter what dollar amound (even just $1!) will get a chance to win! The lucky winner can choose any brand and diapering system -- as long as it's cloth! I know you can get excited about that!
BOOK CONTENT: 1. History of Diapering .....a. Different Cultures .....b. Invention of the Disposable 2. Health Concerns .....a. Toxic Chemicals .....b. Baby's Health (Rash, Athsma, etc.) 3. Environmental Concerns .....a. Landfills .....b. Water 4. Economical Impact .....a. Cost Comparisons .....b. Impact on the Business World 5. Cloth Diapering Today .....a. Types .....b. Washing .....c. Hospitals & Daycares .....d. Traveling Tips 6. Cloth Stories (Moms, Companies, Activists, Organizations)
WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO? 1. Publisher Costs 2. Kickstarter -- 5% 3. Amazon Credit Card Processing Fees -- %2.5 + 0.30/transaction 4. Backer Rewards 5. Photo-Journalism: .....Travel to Hospitals, Landfills, Disposable Companies, Cloth Companies, & Moms .....Supplies & Equipment
Total Estimated Cost: $6,000-$7,000 on a tight budget.
The last two times my funding goal was $8,000 but I'm determined to do this even if I end up paying into it myself too! So I'm setting the funding goal at the bare minimum this time - $6,000. Hopefully since Kickstarter is an all of nothing site, we can make it this time! They do allow funding to continue and go over if the funding is met before the 90 days, so maybe we'll even go above and beyond this time! Thank you again everyone for your amazing support!
MY CREDENTIALS: I'm a mom of 2 little ones in diapers -- I've used both disposables and cloth before, but am now proudly 100% cloth! I'm a portrait photographer in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon. I specialize in children, but also do families, HS seniors, pregnancies, couples, weddings, parties, events, art, and more (sugarsnapphoto.com)! Before I had my own children, I worked as a writer and producer at local television stations here in Oregon. I've worked in both the Portland and Eugene news markets. I wrote mostly local news stories and organized content of the newscast, deciding what was in and what was out! I have been doing photography since high school, and took many college courses in photography, film, and journalism.
***Please Note*** This project's intent is to have a positive impact and I will not support speaking negatively of any specific company. This is an opportunity for ALL green companies, no matter how perfect, to come together and help make a change. Baby steps. Baby steps.
Project location: Portland, OR
I am so excited to be a part of the Birth & Baby Fair in Duluth, MN.
Free Admission!!!
Bi-annual Birth & Baby Fair.
This is a FREE event and open to the public. Focusing on the child-bearing year, Birth & Baby Fair will feature 40+ exhibitors/vendors, panel discussions, and time to meet people, share resources, stories and wisdom. There will also be local, handmade, organic and eco-friendly products for sale. Please come and join us and be see how your family can be sustained and supported during these early child rearing years.
I am proud to be an exhibitor! See you there!
***DATE & PLACE TO BE ANNOUNCED FOR THE FALL****
Check out my facebook event for the Birth & Baby Fair!!!
