Charity fairs are one of the best leadership development opportunities that exist in the non-profit world. Non-profits that have learned how to integrate workplace giving campaigns into their overall leadership development efforts can use them to provide low risk, high value opportunities to their staff in a number of areas, including project management, public speaking, and team building. For example, the skills that can be developed and practiced through participation in charity fairs include: * Oral Communication - public speaking skills –you can practice your "elevator speech" dozens of times in the course of a campaign.

* Team Building - the non-profit action officer can get practical experience in creating and leading a team, whether they are paid staff or volunteers.

* Listening Skills – the non-profit team will have the opportunity to listen to hundreds of people in your community – what are they saying, what’s most important to them, etc. These are your potential donors and supporters – does your mission resonate with them, are they aware of your organization, etc.?

* Written Communication – there are multiple opportunities to develop one’s writing ranging from simple memos to an analysis of the comments from the members of the community that were made at the charity fairs that is prepared for the executive and board leadership.

The paradox of workplace giving programs is that precisely because they are not a high risk or high cost program they can be an ideal "practice field or rehearsal hall" for leadership development. No one is going to "blow" a major gift solicitation at a charity fair, but the future leader can gain experience in "reading people." To learn more about the world’s largest workplace giving campaign, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), please go to the www.cfcfundraising website and request your copy of my free report about the CFC, which includes a brief description of how to apply for inclusion in America’s largest workplace giving campaign, the CFC.

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