The Bo’ness Volunteer Fair 2023 takes place in Bo’ness Town Hall on Thursday, September 28. Ahead of the event, Bo’net has produced a helpful factsheet for groups taking stalls at the event.
If you’re a member of the public attending the event, read our main press release.
The Volunteer Fair will open at 3 p.m. and the Fair will run until 7 p.m. Residents can drop-in any time to visit the Fair. Admission is free.
It’s worth stallholders getting to the venue by 2.30 p.m. at the latest to set up your stall – although organisers will be on site from 2 p.m.
Here are some tips and information for stall-holders to help the day go well.
Contacts
Firstly, if you have any queries, you can email us: info@bonet.org.uk
You can also call some of the Bo’net committee:
- Adrian Mahoney 01506 823714 or 07967 150560
- Madelene Hunt 01506 829526
- Maria Ford 01506 510629
Stall ideas
If you have a banner stand, bring it along – or a laptop with a scrolling presentation about your organisation and what it offers. Have some leaflets, even laser printed flyers, with a little bit of info about your organisation, what it does and the kind of help it needs (volunteers or otherwise). Make sure you have contact details on your materials. Remember: the Town Hall doesn’t have wi-fi, so make sure anything is downloaded to a laptop before arriving. (N.B. The Town Hall will supply tables and chairs for each stall).
You’ve got the power
We’ll try to site folks with laptops near a power supply – but we can’t guarantee this. Remember to bring your own extension lead and charge up your laptop’s battery, just in case you can’t plug into mains power.
Have giveaways
Branded pens and badges might tempt people to your stall, but it you don’t have these – go old school and have a box of free sweeties to lure in folks for a conversation! Or have free stuff and sweets!
Bring people
Your stall will take about two people, but you can bring other committee members or supporters to network with other attendees and funders. The more the merrier. Remember some funders will be present at the event. Please go along and talk to them about potential partnerships. In particular, make sure your stall-holders are well-informed about your group’s work and how volunteers can get involved.
Promote different volunteer roles
Clearly showcase the various ways people can get involved, whether it’s through hands-on volunteering, fundraising, event planning, or other roles. And promote any benefits of volunteering.
Promote the Volunteer Fair
Ahead of the event, make sure your supporters and friends know you’ll be at the Volunteer Fair. We’ve been raising the event’s profile, but you can help. Share some tweets or free graphics on your social pages or website. You can download lots of pre-prepared materials at https://bit.ly/promote-vfair
You can also re-share materials from www.fb.com/loveboness
And www.twitter.com/bonessnetwork
Free refreshments
We’ll have a café area, offering free drinks and snacks (in the old library area of the Town Hall). Pop in and have a cuppa. You’ll be very welcome. This area is sponsored by Tesco, Bo’ness.
Be security conscious
Don’t leave any valuables unattended. Hopefully, this won’t be a problem – but better safe than sorry.
Be COVID aware
Covid is still an issue. If you are feeling under the weather, get someone else from your organisation to staff your stall.
Collect information
Have a sign-up sheet or a tablet for interested volunteers to leave their contact information. This will allow you to follow up with them after the event. Have some plain paper and pens in case you need to write things down for attendees – or pass extra information (not on your leaflets).
Follow-up promptly
After the event, reach out to the individuals who expressed interest in your group. Thank them for their time and provide them with any extra information they might need. The event is not just about getting volunteers but also attracting people who might offer funding, or sponsorship – or who can help support you and your organisation in some way.
Finally, remember that Bo’net – the organising group behind the Volunteer Fair – is also run by volunteers to help community groups in Bo’ness. If you’d like to help us in the future, please get in touch – or visit our stall at Bo’ness Town Hall on 28 September.
This event has been organised by Bo’net, the Bo’ness Networking Group, with funding support from Earls Gate Community Fund, set up by the Earls Gate Energy Centre in Grangemouth
The PR Store 