Over the next 30 days, we’ll guide you through transformative leadership practices tailored for these unprecedented times.
Each Monday, new training videos & materials will be made available, equipping you with essential tools to lead your fair to the next level!
Excited to support your journey!
Here is an outline of the video “library“.
Check back here at the beginning of each week or binge watch, as you wish, the videos on the following subjects.
This video walks you through the foundational step of volunteer recruitment: telling your story. You’ll learn how to articulate your personal journey and your organization’s mission in a way that inspires trust and connection. Discover how to position your fair or ag society as a compelling cause worth investing in—through time, talent, and treasure—by aligning your story with the values of today’s experiential, purpose-driven volunteers. (Video length- 11min)
To recruit effectively, you must reach people where they are—with strategies tailored to how they engage. This session explores a two-pronged approach: • Grasstops: Leverage social media and a strategic drip campaign to build awareness and momentum. • Grassroots: Launch a relational marketing effort rooted in personal connection—like the “100 Cups of Coffee” strategy—to engage people of influence in your community. Learn how to cast a compelling vision that draws both digital audiences and key local connectors into meaningful partnership. (Video length 17 min)
Social media isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a community-building powerhouse. For fair boards and societies, it’s not about selling tickets or promoting events; it’s about creating meaningful engagement that builds trust, fosters relationships, and strengthens community involvement. When done right, social media doesn’t just spread awareness—it mobilizes supporters, attracts volunteers, deepens donor relationships, and sustains engagement long after the event ends. This session will dive into how fair boards and Ag societies can use social media strategically to cultivate an online presence that resonates with their audience, increases participation, and strengthens community bonds. (Video Length 55min)
Today’s volunteers expect choice, clarity, and flexibility. This video focuses on how to build a recruitment experience that meets people where they are—offering various pathways into your organization. From task-specific roles to behind-the-scenes support, you’ll learn how to design user-driven systems that make it easy and attractive for anyone to say “yes” to making a difference. (video length 9min)
This video introduces a comprehensive survey designed to gather insights into potential volunteers’ expectations, skills, interests, and availability. By understanding these aspects, organizations can align volunteer roles more effectively, ensuring a mutually beneficial experience. (Video Length 5min)
Effective onboarding is crucial for volunteer retention. This session emphasizes the importance of clear task descriptions and the creation of a “Why Video” to communicate the organization’s mission and values. Such tools help volunteers understand their roles and the broader impact of their contributions. (Video Length 5min)
Delegation is a vital leadership skill. This video explores strategies for assigning tasks appropriately, ensuring that volunteers feel empowered and trusted. Proper delegation enhances productivity and fosters a collaborative environment. (Video length 8min)
In this video we outline creating your written outreach plan to build our volunteer community! (Video Length 15min, handout below)
In this video we discuss the framework of a “volunteer experience“ plan, ensuring that we build a community of volunteers that thrIves. customers a reason to do business with you. (Video Length 12min)
Volunteers that feel seen and heard those that feel invisible disappear! In this video Ian lays out a system for ensuring that volunteers are recognized and celebrated year round. Making them feel both seen and heard. (Video Length 9min, see handout below)
In this video, we outline a system for coaching, poor performers, both individuals, and a group. A practical trust based user driven approach to taking poor performers to standard and above standard! (Video Length 25min)
Shift the mindset. Build the culture. Most fair board members aren’t comfortable “asking for money”—and that’s okay. In this video, we explore the difference between fundraising and advocacy, and why it’s time to invite people to invest in something meaningful. Every board member can be an advocate—and this is where that shift begins. (Video Length 4min)
People don’t give to projects—they give to people. Whether it’s a heartfelt story, a community tradition, or a moment that moved you, your “why” matters. In this video, we walk through how to craft a 60-second story that connects people to your fair’s purpose—and makes them want to be part of it. (Video Length 5min)
Don’t rely on one stream—diversify to thrive. Successful fairs don’t just depend on one source of support. In this video, we break down five key revenue streams and help you identify which ones your board can grow—based on the relationships and resources you already have. (Video Length 15min)
Today’s businesses want more than a banner. The best partnerships go beyond logos and ad space—they’re built on shared values and real impact. In this video, we’ll show you how to create long-term, win-win relationships with local businesses that want to do good and be seen doing it. (Video Length 15min)
Simple systems that make advocacy easier. Feeling disorganized or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. This video introduces easy-to-use tools, such as a donor log, recognition calendar, and story bank, that help you stay on track and make your efforts more sustainable over time. (Video Length 13min)
One Conversation at a Time - Learn how this grassroots strategy complements your grasstops work. It’s not about selling—it’s about aligning with your community through personal trust. (Video Length 4min)
Get practical: Red/Yellow/Green coding, finding people of influence (not prominence), and what makes someone worth a coffee. (Video Length 5min)
Listening, Sharing, Aligning - Master the 80/20 rule, communication filters (fact, emotion, values, belief), and how to “pair like earbuds” with someone. Building trust, expanding influence, making greater impact! (Video Length 6min)
In this video, we walk through a practical process to align your board or committee around a shared goal, clear expectations, and a simple framework for measuring success. You’ll learn how to move from vague roles to real accountability—so every member brings value, and everyone knows what “winning” looks like. (Video Length 9min)
Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s misalignment. In this powerful session, Ian equips leaders with a two-part Burnout Immunity Plan to protect energy, restore clarity, and create sustainable impact through purpose, boundaries, and proactive recovery. (Video Length 56min)
Below are the videos, make sure to access the downloadable handouts.
In this no-fluff session, Ian Hill shares the tools, mindset, and real-life strategies to address the hard stuff head-on—without losing your integrity or the mission. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, confront poor behavior constructively, and protect the culture you’ve worked so hard to build. Because your fair, ag society, or nonprofit deserves a team that lifts it up—not tears it down.
In this video Ian lays out a process for personal change, a step by step process for implementing change in your personal or professional life.
Here is an outstanding activity to better understand your leadership style and the approach of others. Deeper understanding of your own approach and the style of others will increase the likelihood of alignment and success.
In this video, Ian gives us a system to not only manage our time but more importantly to maximize its utilization!
The Mental Strength Menu is a proactive framework for mental resilience. It offers seven core practices—purposeful engagement, playful exploration, connection, reflection, physical vitality, intentional recovery, and restful sleep—designed to prevent stress and foster long-term well-being Download the guide to start strengthening your mental wellness today!
Fairs.com believes that every fair in Alberta, regardless of size or budget, deserves access to the tools needed to operate, grow, and thrive. They recognize the vital role fairs play in their communities—preserving agricultural traditions, driving local progress, and fostering essential human connections. With innovative digital ticketing, marketing, and website services, Fairs.com provides a full set of tools to ensure fairs remain vital hubs of tradition and progress.
Here is an outline of the video “library“.
Check back here at the beginning of each week or binge watch, as you wish, the videos on the following subjects.
This video walks you through the foundational step of volunteer recruitment: telling your story. You’ll learn how to articulate your personal journey and your organization’s mission in a way that inspires trust and connection. Discover how to position your fair or ag society as a compelling cause worth investing in—through time, talent, and treasure—by aligning your story with the values of today’s experiential, purpose-driven volunteers. (Video length- 11min)
To recruit effectively, you must reach people where they are—with strategies tailored to how they engage. This session explores a two-pronged approach: • Grasstops: Leverage social media and a strategic drip campaign to build awareness and momentum. • Grassroots: Launch a relational marketing effort rooted in personal connection—like the “100 Cups of Coffee” strategy—to engage people of influence in your community. Learn how to cast a compelling vision that draws both digital audiences and key local connectors into meaningful partnership. (Video length 17 min)
Social media isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a community-building powerhouse. For fair boards and societies, it’s not about selling tickets or promoting events; it’s about creating meaningful engagement that builds trust, fosters relationships, and strengthens community involvement. When done right, social media doesn’t just spread awareness—it mobilizes supporters, attracts volunteers, deepens donor relationships, and sustains engagement long after the event ends. This session will dive into how fair boards and Ag societies can use social media strategically to cultivate an online presence that resonates with their audience, increases participation, and strengthens community bonds. (Video Length 55min)
Today’s volunteers expect choice, clarity, and flexibility. This video focuses on how to build a recruitment experience that meets people where they are—offering various pathways into your organization. From task-specific roles to behind-the-scenes support, you’ll learn how to design user-driven systems that make it easy and attractive for anyone to say “yes” to making a difference. (video length 9min)
This video introduces a comprehensive survey designed to gather insights into potential volunteers’ expectations, skills, interests, and availability. By understanding these aspects, organizations can align volunteer roles more effectively, ensuring a mutually beneficial experience. (Video Length 5min)
Effective onboarding is crucial for volunteer retention. This session emphasizes the importance of clear task descriptions and the creation of a “Why Video” to communicate the organization’s mission and values. Such tools help volunteers understand their roles and the broader impact of their contributions. (Video Length 5min)
Delegation is a vital leadership skill. This video explores strategies for assigning tasks appropriately, ensuring that volunteers feel empowered and trusted. Proper delegation enhances productivity and fosters a collaborative environment. (Video length 8min)
In this video we outline creating your written outreach plan to build our volunteer community! (Video Length 15min, handout below)
In this video we discuss the framework of a “volunteer experience“ plan, ensuring that we build a community of volunteers that thrIves. customers a reason to do business with you. (Video Length 12min)
Volunteers that feel seen and heard those that feel invisible disappear! In this video Ian lays out a system for ensuring that volunteers are recognized and celebrated year round. Making them feel both seen and heard. (Video Length 9min, see handout below)
In this video, we outline a system for coaching, poor performers, both individuals, and a group. A practical trust based user driven approach to taking poor performers to standard and above standard! (Video Length 25min)
Shift the mindset. Build the culture. Most fair board members aren’t comfortable “asking for money”—and that’s okay. In this video, we explore the difference between fundraising and advocacy, and why it’s time to invite people to invest in something meaningful. Every board member can be an advocate—and this is where that shift begins. (Video Length 4min)
People don’t give to projects—they give to people. Whether it’s a heartfelt story, a community tradition, or a moment that moved you, your “why” matters. In this video, we walk through how to craft a 60-second story that connects people to your fair’s purpose—and makes them want to be part of it. (Video Length 5min)
Don’t rely on one stream—diversify to thrive. Successful fairs don’t just depend on one source of support. In this video, we break down five key revenue streams and help you identify which ones your board can grow—based on the relationships and resources you already have. (Video Length 15min)
Today’s businesses want more than a banner. The best partnerships go beyond logos and ad space—they’re built on shared values and real impact. In this video, we’ll show you how to create long-term, win-win relationships with local businesses that want to do good and be seen doing it. (Video Length 15min)
Simple systems that make advocacy easier. Feeling disorganized or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. This video introduces easy-to-use tools, such as a donor log, recognition calendar, and story bank, that help you stay on track and make your efforts more sustainable over time. (Video Length 13min)
One Conversation at a Time - Learn how this grassroots strategy complements your grasstops work. It’s not about selling—it’s about aligning with your community through personal trust. (Video Length 4min)
Get practical: Red/Yellow/Green coding, finding people of influence (not prominence), and what makes someone worth a coffee. (Video Length 5min)
Listening, Sharing, Aligning - Master the 80/20 rule, communication filters (fact, emotion, values, belief), and how to “pair like earbuds” with someone. Building trust, expanding influence, making greater impact! (Video Length 6min)
In this video, we walk through a practical process to align your board or committee around a shared goal, clear expectations, and a simple framework for measuring success. You’ll learn how to move from vague roles to real accountability—so every member brings value, and everyone knows what “winning” looks like. (Video Length 9min)
Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s misalignment. In this powerful session, Ian equips leaders with a two-part Burnout Immunity Plan to protect energy, restore clarity, and create sustainable impact through purpose, boundaries, and proactive recovery (Video Length 56min)
Below are the videos, make sure to access the downloadable handouts.
In this no-fluff session, Ian Hill shares the tools, mindset, and real-life strategies to address the hard stuff head-on—without losing your integrity or the mission. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, confront poor behavior constructively, and protect the culture you’ve worked so hard to build. Because your fair, ag society, or nonprofit deserves a team that lifts it up—not tears it down.
In this video Ian lays out a process for personal change, a step by step process for implementing change in your personal or professional life.
Here is an outstanding activity to better understand your leadership style and the approach of others. Deeper understanding of your own approach and the style of others will increase the likelihood of alignment and success.
In this video, Ian gives us a system to not only manage our time but more importantly to maximize its utilization!
The Mental Strength Menu is a proactive framework for mental resilience. It offers seven core practices—purposeful engagement, playful exploration, connection, reflection, physical vitality, intentional recovery, and restful sleep—designed to prevent stress and foster long-term well-being Download the guide to start strengthening your mental wellness today!
Fairs.com believes that every fair in Alberta, regardless of size or budget, deserves access to the tools needed to operate, grow, and thrive. They recognize the vital role fairs play in their communities—preserving agricultural traditions, driving local progress, and fostering essential human connections. With innovative digital ticketing, marketing, and website services, Fairs.com provides a full set of tools to ensure fairs remain vital hubs of tradition and progress.
