Technical question for PTA types

[Smithagain]

Our school's Christmas fair is coming up. We are in a new building, which has a very big space to fill. The idea has been raised to invite various community groups along and let them have a publicity stall, to raise awareness of what they do - and at the same time make the place look busy and interesting!

The types of groups we are talking about are churches, the local youth cafe, community safety groups etc. They are not profit making. It's a church primary school, with a stated desire to have positive relationships with the wider community.

Would you expect groups like that to pay for a stall, or should it be offered for free (on condition they are not raising money for themselves)?

We have a difference of opinion and just wondered what others do.

[blametheparents]

If they are going to do any selling / games etc that would make THEM money, then I think they should pay for a stall.
If they are just there handing out leaflets and chatting to people, then stall should be free.

[whingeomatic]

same as blametheparents...

Our PTA is having a shopping evening after half term and the agreed rate for the stall holders is £10 for the stall and a prize for the raffle

[posey]

Yes, what blametheparents said!

[Sagacious]

Outside (profit making) stalls pay a £12 flat fee at our bazaar.

Non profit making we've not done before I would offer it free (always good to have local groups onside and I'm sure they'll reciprocate at their fundraisers!!)

Fab idea BTW (am Pta secretary)

[Lifeistooshort]

Not the point of your question at all, but I think it is a very good and lovely idea (...might steal it!)

[Hassled]

10% of the takings to the PTA if they are selling anything directly themselves.

Otherwise - no charge, I woudl have thought. Your school will thank you for ticking a Community Cohesion box, though.

[Smithagain]

Interesting. I must admit I thought (assumed actually), that it would be free. But have now discovered that others think there should be a fee.

And I have two hats on, because I was contemplating taking a stall to promote kids' work I do with the churches outside school, but I have no publicity budget so probably won't bother if I have to pay. I could claim it back through the churches, but quite honestly the agro of doing the paperwork will exceed any benefit from being there!

[mimsum]

when I was doing running the PTA at our school, we had a flat fee of £10 for profit-making stalls and nothing for non-profit community groups etc. We couldn't have religious groups but you're a church school so presumably that restriction wouldn't apply