Idea of the Month - May 2008
APPRAISAL FAIR
Gamma Rho chapter #2537 in Fort Myers, Florida held an Appraisal Fair in early March at a local antique mall. They had 3 appraisers ... one appraiser stayed all day and the other two came for 2 hours each. They had refreshments and drinks. They felt in the future they would only offer drinks.
They advertised in the Antique Shopper for 3 months before the fair and used the free opportunities in the local papers, put out numerous posters, the antique mall handed out flyers, emailed all friends, relatives, etc... The Food Bank and Footsteps helped with the publicity as well. The hours were from 10 to 4 and have decided in the future that 10 to 2 is enough time. The profit was $327.00.
Proceeds were split between the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Footsteps to the Future (an organization that helps girls who have aged out of the foster care system to adjust and make it on their own.) They had to set up the back room of the antique mall for the appraisers and clean up when it was over. They collected the money and manned the refreshment table.
A donation jar was on the table and there was no charge for the food and drink. The plans are to do it at least twice a year maybe more......was very little work and will be less in the future.
They charged $5 per item appraised and the appraisers volunteered their time. One member commented that it was the least amount of work they ever had to do on a project and it was fun. They are aiming to have another in the late summer.