FHIdeasFromFairs

1. Name Tags with LARGE easy-to-read print for FH Workers, Priesthood Leaders, and the Teachers and Presenters (name plus their position)---the ones enclosed in plastic that pin on or are on a string around the neck work better than the sticky kind.   Could use different color papers or attached ribbons to identify FH Workers, Priesthood Leaders--High Priest Group Leaders, Stake President and Counselors, High Councilor over FH, and the Presenters.    (Fancy fonts and small print are too hard to read unless you are inches away!) Some have also had stick-on or pin-on name tags for fair attendees to wear with their name and stake/ward and position written on. It's interesting to see who people are, their position, and what ward and stake they are from. One Fair passed a roll around in each class to have a list of how many were in the class, their name and ward.

2. Tables set up in the cultural hall with displays from different countries. Some have tasting samples of food from that country. Some have a computer and a specialist in research for that country. Full-time missionary display. DUP display. Mormon Battalion and Ship Lists, etc.   Some choose not to worry about displays and concentrate on classes.

3. Many hands make light work. Delegate, delegate, delegate! Some have a committee of 100 people! Have an over-all Director or chairman--then put someone in charge of each country display, refreshments, technology specialists, publicity, name tags, greeters, music, arranging for keynote speaker, finding teachers and presenters, program, syllabus printing, etc. When delegating, try to give people the freedom (within guidelines) to use their own ideas and creativity. No one likes to be assigned just the hard work of carrying out someone else's ideas and plans! Listen to others' ideas and contributions. As far as possible, let people serve in their area of interest and strength--a better job is done and they enjoy their work more.

4. For large Fairs with crowded parking: You may want to reserve some parking spaces close to the door for the presenters who will have lots of materials, computers, etc. to carry in.

5. Some have a bottle of water for each presenter--in case of cough or dry throat.

6. Many have had a small table set up at each entrance with a FH worker or Priesthood Leader to greet people and give out class schedule, map of building, plastic bag with handles to put handouts, etc. in. Sign-in sheets. One Fair had a pile of 3x5 cards and asked each guest to fill one out with their name, stake and ward, and if they are serving in a FH calling.

7. Ancestry.com has supplied a presenter (if asked early enough) and/or a teaching video and boxes of free Ancestry magazines to give out to all the visitors.

8. Some have lunches that people order and pay for ahead of time. Others have had a free light lunch, or punch and cookies, or homemade bread and jam or sweetbreads, vegetables and dip, milk, choc. milk, juice, ice cream bars, doughnuts.   Some choose not to worry about refreshments. One had a continental breakfast of milk, juice, bagels, mini-muffins, and 3 types of melon. Some serve just at lunch hour and others serve continually during the entire Fair.

9. Helpful Signs on every wall directing people to different rooms and restrooms, so you were never unsure which way to go. Papers posted outside each classroom telling what class is being held in that room each hour and the name of the presenter. Maps of building.

10. Assign responsible security people to keep watch over the computers, projectors, etc.

11. Classes on Merit Badge requirements, YW and YM requirements.

12. Tables with coloring pages and crayons for children, FH mazes, word search games. Classes for children with FH activities, stories, coat-of-arms designing, etc.

13.   Touching FH Play: "Do you have my name?" (link to script from the internet).

14.   On-going entertainment on stage while people have refreshments.

15.   Full-time missionaries showing family church videos on large screen during lunch.

16.   Classes in Spanish and other languages.

17.   Ask an Expert:    One or two very knowledgeable people set up at a table or desk to answer anyone's questions.

18.   Most have a beginning program in the chapel with one or more speakers for a half hour or so.

19.   Building open the evening before and technical advisors available to help presenters set up and check out their rooms and equipment and in the morning before the fair also. Technical help available during Fair in case of equipment problems.

20.   Advertise, advertise, advertise! Early and many times and in many ways. This is very important to the success of the Fair. Many stakes hold a Fair every year about the same time---then people plan on it and keep the date free.   One Public Affairs expert said to advertise events 8 times! Some Fairs advertise and invite people of other stakes and areas.   Others prefer to keep their Fairs small and local--especially if it is their first Fair and they are unsure how many to expect.

21.   Some do a syllabus--others do not.   Most charge for the syllabus (at cost)--one Fair provided theirs free since they had a smaller group (outside Utah).

22.   Check in with your presenters a few times before your Fair.   Some have actually forgotten and not shown up!   We all need to be reminded at times--life gets busy!

23.   Most use a grid format showing classes, times, and locations.    Sample

24.   After the Fair is over, meet and discuss what went well and what you would do differently next time. Keep good records of everything--amounts, presenters, expenses, etc. Those records will prove very valuable to you or whoever plans the next Fair.

25. The Priesthood Leaders in one stake held a prayer meeting before the Fair for the workers and presenters.

27. A webpage can be created advertising the fair and giving all the information about it and registration materials, etc.

28. If your Fair is small, it might be better to have fewer classes. If the attendees are divided too thinly, presenters may have 0-3 show up for their class, after all their work and preparation.

29. One Fair had a Nursery and Activities for Primary-age Children so single parents and young parents could attend.

30. One Director held a class called "Director's Roundtable," where participants could all informally ask questions and share ideas. They all seemed to really enjoy this.

Remember---there is no one right way to put on a Fair/Open House/FH Conference. Prayerfully do what works best for your area. There is a wide variance in size and available resources from group to group.