There are many ways for Chamber members to get involved and to expand their network of contacts. And there are dozens of ways you can volunteer. Every year the Chamber puts on community events, business expos, breakfast get- togethers and after hours events to help members promote themselves. Volunteering for Chamber activities is fun and rewarding, and a great way to give back to your community and meet new people.

If you are interested in serving or want information about any of our valuable programs, contact Linda Matthews or Patricia L. Ritchie at 203-255-1011. Participation on Chamber committees is a membership privilege. Remember, although we welcome your involvement in any of our activities, your financial support is appreciated just as much as the time you donate.

 
Events

Each year the Chamber holds several major events that could never happen without the help of our volunteers:

• Wine Tasting & Silent Auction
• Spring Event
• Arts & Crafts Show
• Incoming Freshman Event at Fairfield University
• Trick or Treat on Safety Street
• Santa's Arrival

Some of these events raise money for the Chamber's activities. All of them enhance the Chamber's visibility in the community.

Wine Tasting & Silent Auction

This is one of the Chamber's biggest annual fundraisers. Be responsible for finding and delivering to the Chamber office 10 items for the silent auction table with a minimum value of $50 each. We need six people to help with this. We need help on the afternoon of the event in getting the items to the space where the event will be held, and we need help in setting up the auction tables and prizes. Clean-up crew is also essential -- at least 3 people are needed. Or perhaps you are a good cook and can make your special appetizer or dessert for the food table.

Spring Event

This event will not take place in 2007. It is a work in progress for 2008.

Arts & Crafts Show

This event is free to the general public but raises money through exhibitor fees. Usually held the third weekend in June and runs for 2 days.

Road signs need to go up two weeks before the event and be taken down after the show.

On show days, volunteers work in 2 hr. shifts. The Saturday crew is essential when crafters arrive at 7 am. Sunday volunteers are needed between 10 am and 6 pm. During show hours, 10 am to 5 pm, volunteers will blow up balloons, sell T-shirts, and cover booths when a crafter needs to take a break or get a sandwich. The final Sunday crew will be responsible for taking down the tent, cleaning up, and transporting the tent and other items back to the office.

Incoming Freshman Event at Fairfield University

Come to the university on a Sunday and help us hand out free promotional items and information regarding the community and Chamber gift certificate program, and answer the sort of questions about Fairfield that new students and their families would ask. Need to work in 2 or 3 hour shifts; usually runs about 6 hours.

Trick or Treat on Safety Street

Trick or Treat is October 31 (or the Friday before if it falls on a weekend) and requires help in transporting the Chamber tent to and from Sherman Green. Dress in costume and hand out candy and Chamber information from 2-5 pm. Or, help distribute posters to local merchants for display in their window. These posters should be up one week prior to the event.

Santa's Arrival

Santa's Arrival is always the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and runs from 10 am to 3 pm on Sherman Green. This event involves blowing up balloons, transporting the Chamber tent to and from Sherman Green, and generally running the show on the day of the event. We also need a team of 8 to run the horse and buggy rides -- each volunteer works a 2 hr. shift. If we can find the volunteers, we dress them up as Rudolf or a Snowman. We need a Santa Claus. We need folks to help sell Fairfield T-shirts. Whatever you can do is great, and we only require a sign-up of two hours each.

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Committees

Volunteering isn't only about once-a-year events. Chamber committees offer a way to stay involved all year round, whether you're interested in business community outreach or want to add your voice to the Chamber's strategic planning. The following committees are open to interested members:

Marketing Committee

Do you have a creative side? Then join us on the Marketing Committee. These folks meet once a month from 8-9 am and focus on special event fundraising and its potential contribution to the Chamber's bottom line. They plan and implement the marketing strategy for the Chamber.

Ambassadors Program

Ambassadors provide hands-on assistance by delivering member packets to new Chamber members each month and promoting member retention. The team helps new members get involved, and makes sure they're aware of their membership benefits. The committee chair assigns two ambassadors to each Business After Hours event to ensure new and potential members are comfortable and introduced to other members.

Membership Committee

Works hand in hand with Marketing to come up with useful ideas for recruiting -- and retaining -- new members. The Membership Chair is responsible for heading a committee for our annual membership campaign.

Leads Groups

Each group needs a facilitator or co-facilitators to run the twice-a-month meetings. Keep attendance records, email meeting reminders and act as liaison to the Chamber.

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