Women's Fair: A Real Community Experience

by Susan Collins & Annetta Richardson, Lord Fairfax Community College
An Abstract from the Sixth Annual Convention of the VCCA, November 17-18, 1988

from VCCA Journal, Volume 4, Number 1, Spring/Summer 1989, 43-44

© Copyright 1989 VCCA Journal

Women's Fair is a day Lord Fairfax Community College has set aside to offer seminars and workshops free of charge to women of all ages. It is a service project as well as a means of recruiting. Many women visit LFCC for the first time during this event, which offers many activities in a non-threatening, relaxed environment. A women's fair is not an original concept at LFCC but was modeled after a similar project held at Thomas Nelson Community College which representatives from LFCC visited during the summer of 1986.

From the minute Women's Fair participants arrive on campus, there are many helping hands to show the way. Inside the school, the hallways are prepared with directional signs. When in doubt as to where to go, visitors are guided by employees who are there to lend a helping hand. Special t-shirts worn by the employees of the College help to identify those who are involved with the fair.

The day's special features are the workshops and seminars. Presenters, who include LFCC faculty, staff, and administrators, local business CEO's, community leaders and service agency personnel, participate free of charge. The topics include such subjects as education, physical fitness and nutrition, and cooking and crafts. These presenters are awarded certificates of appreciation for donating their time and talents.

Another of the day's events is a free lunch. During the first year, the participants were treated to a cook-out, but to shorten the lunch hour in the second year, they were given box lunches. At this time, a number of community organizations set up booths to distribute information. For example, the American Red Cross took blood pressures while the Concern Hotline distributed information. After lunch, door prizes are given to lucky participants that include such items as LFCC mugs, free 3-credit courses, and dinner for two at local restaurants. Many other items are donated by local business, and a variety of food is available throughout the day.

What are the children doing during Women's Fair? The children, ranging in age from 3 to 10 years, are involved in a variety of separate activities that include face painting, nature hikes, crafts--such as building bird feeders and making terrariums--and a visit from a local clown.

The funding for Women's Fair has been acquired through the LFCC Educational Foundation and the local College Board. Costs have been minimal, ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Women's Fair is planned and organized around a number of committees which develop and administer the activities; they are constituted as follows:

• The registration committee is involved primarily with pre-registration, workshop and seminar selection, check-in, and collection of door prizes.
• The Child Care Committee is responsible for registration, check-in, release forms, children's event schedules, crafts, snack preparation, and general entertainment.
• The Seminar/Workshop Committee schedules all workshop and presenter topics which must be confirmed before publicity and brochures go out. Committee members also serve as hosts and hostesses for presenters during the event.
• The Food Committee coordinates all eating activities for the day including check-in, presenter hospitality room, and lunch. (Many of the food items are donated from local businesses.)
• The Publicity Committee is responsible for all areas of advertising such as brochures, posters and flyers, news releases, public service announcements, and personnel scheduled for TV and radio spots. The committee also seeks avenues for a variety of free advertising including milk cartons, paper bags, newspapers, and bill boards.

Women's Fair, a fantastic experience for women of all ages, brings females together to share life, learning, and friendship.