KnowHow/Groups/OrganizeABooth/BoothTimeline

One of the main tasks of the Free Software Foundation Europe is to inform the public about Free Software and related topics. For this, it is essential to be present with a booth on tradeshows, fairs, expos, and other local events. Helping at such a booth is a good way to get active for Free Software. Booth volunteers talk to people to explain Free Software and answer their questions. Working as a booth volunteer means at the same time supporting Free Software, meeting interesting people, and having a lot of fun.

In this page we follow you through the operations towards the preparation of a Booth. Is there a booth already planned in your region? Join it! There is no booth? Organise one!

Check out upcoming booths

Timeline

First step (8 weeks before the event). Communication is crucial!

As an organisation, FSFE relies on communication among team members and volunteers, in order to assure an effective coordination and cooperation. Please always consider that point. For instance, if you fail communicating properly your intention to organise a booth, you might lose the opportunity to have other volunteers helping you through the organisation process. So the first step is to communicate your intention of organising a booth.

An example of the text you could use is:

"Dear Fellows,

From the [starting day] to the [ending day] of [month], during the [specify if the booth is organised at a particular event], we will keep a booth in [place]. It would be a great pleasure to personally meet you.

Besides, your help at the booth would be very valuable for us. We would thank you if you could assist us for a couple of hours (or more if you can). Should you have any question about the [specify the name of the event] please ask our Booth Coordinator [name of the coordinator and e-mail address].

We hope to meet you at our booth.

Thank you for your attention,"

Second step (4 weeks before the event). Obtain merchandising (Optional) and meet volunteers.

The main purpose of our Booth is to inform people about our Free Software in general, and about FSFE's actions to promote it in particular. In order to help you spreading the word, we have leaflets and Posters which can be used at the Booth. In some of our Booths, we also have t-shirts, sweatshirts and other merchandising that might be sold. Selling merchandise is an important source of financing for FSFE, but it should not be intended as the main booth feature. If you want to sell our merchandise at the booth, we will be happy to provide our assistance!. See our merchandising page to order the material you want to sell. Please ignore the payment.

Be sure to contact other fellows and volunteers, to motivate them to participate to the Booth.

Third step (2 weeks before the event). Invite other fellows!" A booth is also an occasion to meet other fellows who live near the event location. There might be people interested in helping you with the Booth organisation. So, organise a Fellowship meeting nearby the event location.

Fourth step (1 week before the event). Prepare the material. Download and print the following material. Must always be present at our booths:

If possible:

Send a remindal to Fellows and volunteers that you are meeting at the Booth.

At the Booth

However, it is nice to have a PC at the booth in order to allow people who wish to subscribe to the Fellowship to do so.

ToDo


CategoryBooth