Synopsis:

Non profits from your town host a table at the event to put out information and gain volunteers and supporters.

How it Works:

A host group (your city chamber of commerce or YOUR RESCUE) coordinates to host a special event where 50 or more non profits from your town host a booth in a large area to pass out information about their groups and sign up volunteers. Members of the community will attend to find out info on some great programs in their own backyards they never knew existed. This should be a one-stop experience for the citizens of your community to find out about various programs in your community, pick up brochures, and sign up for volunteering programs! Think of it as Speed Dating, but you’ll be matching volunteers with programs. This can be an annucal event, held every August or early September, in mid-January to capitalize on New Year’s resolutions, or whenever your community can squeeze it in.

Where to Host:

Church fellowship halls, auditoriums, school cafeterias, conference centers, expo centers, hotel ballrooms, basketball gyms, city park or playing fields.

Who Should Participate:

Rescue groups, churches, youth programs, social groups, cancer research and support groups, scouting groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, car clubs, sports clubs (little league, soccer, cheer squads, men’s softball league, ladies volleyball league), non profits of all kinds! You can include specific businesses, such as those who are consultants or ones dealing with animals or children.

What to Charge:

If you can get the room/ area and tables donated, then charge a minimal fee to cover insurance and advertising costs for fliers, ads and signage. Charging $10 per table for 50 tables would bring in $500 to cover banners, signs and fliers just fine. If you can’t get the room donated, then you may need to charge a bit more, maybe $20 to $30. If your estimated costs seem too high to potential participants, you can allow the group to sell some items such as calendars, bracelets, or just accept donations. I’ve attended sign-up events where the booth fee was $30 plus a $25 refundable depost to make sure groups attended. If they came for the event, they got their $25 check back uncashed. If they did not attend, their $25 check was cashed to cover the expense of holding an empty booth and the time and effort wasted.

Door Prizes:

You may also wish to encourage attendance by offering door prizes at the event. Ask the non profits to contribute a small door prize, ranging from $10 to $50. This could be one of their calendars, a t-shirt, a consultant’s item, tickets to their next performance, or just a small gift basket they’ve put together. This will serve to attract more community members and make the event more enjoyable for everyone.

Refreshment Stand:

Sell donated drinks and bake sale items to keep people happy while they browse. If your event location does not want food wandering through the room, you can host a small cafe’ where the carpets are covered/ protected and food is only allowed in that area with a lattice fence blocking it.