Charity Fairs have, since their birth some 30 years ago, become major businesses. It was to assist in the development of this mutually beneficial relationship between fundraising for charities and small independently run retailing businesses that the Charity Fairs and Stallholders Association was formed 20 years ago (now called the CFA). The Association is a non profit-making organisation operating on a self-financing basis and is a self-regulatory body. The membership - currently over 600 - is made up of Fair Organisers and Stallholders who are both represented on the Management Committee. Margaret Barton is the impartial Administrator who co-ordinates the Association.
The principal benefits of joining the CFA as a Stallholder are:
Your name and details in our Stallholders Directory, listing the goods you sell and their price range. This Directory is circulated in December to Fair Organiser members. An update follows the AGM in January and further updates are issued as necessary throughout the year. Although membership does not guarantee acceptance to Fairs, it does act as a hugely valuable introduction to Fair Organisers who use this Directory to choose some of their stalls.
A List of Events (Fairs) organised by Members is published in January with the Fair Organisers name and address (strictly confidential to Members only). It is the4 prerogative of the Fair Organiser member as to whether they wish details of their Fair published. This List is available at the AGM in January but o sent to those who cannot attend and is also available on the Members only area of our website.
The AGM is held every January, currently in Oxfordshire. This is an opportunity for members to put forward ideas or views to the whole membership and to meet Fair Organisers and other Stallholders. New Members can also take space at this meeting to showcase their goods.
The CFA acts as help-line for Stallholders and Fair Organisers alike. Any problems you may have or are uncertain how to deal with can be referred to the Management Committee who are always willing to help out.
Members receive a Guide for Fair Organisers & Stallholders which, amongst other things, contains a Code of Conduct that all members are expected to abide by. The purpose of the Code is to maintain the high standards that are the hallmark of the Association.
Two Newsletters are published, one in summer and one in autumn.
It is a condition of membership that all members hold commercial Public, Product and Employers' Liability insurance cover, details of which must be given on the application form. The CFA is able to obtain this insurance at a very favourable rate of £55 p.a. plus £10 administration cost. If you wish to take advantage of this please contact Margaret Barton on 01379 898600 or email admin@charityfairsassociation.co.uk and see the Insurance page for further information.
Personal Accident cover -for one person only - is included in membership. This runs from January 1st to December 31st and is valid throughout Europe. Cover for more than one person can be obtained from Clear as above.