Leader holds a successful Community Organization Fair
By Joan Janzen
In partnership with the Leader & District Arts Council, the town of Leader held their first Community Organization Fair on Wednesday, September 13th, at the Leader Community Centre. Twenty organizations set up displays informing interested people about what they have to offer. It was an incredible opportunity for those who registered free of charge, enabling them to chat with people inquiring at their table.
The goal of the community fair was to inform the community about what groups and organizations are in the area, what the organization does, and how they can be part of the group or volunteer to offer support. There was a wide variety of organizations represented at the fair.
Visitors to Leader’s first Community Organization Fair checked out the over 20 organizations and groups who were represented at the fair on Wednesday evening, September 13th.
Photos by Joan Janzen, click for larger images
The Leader Curling Club was on hand to inform people of their regular curling leagues, as well as a kids after school club. New this year is an afternoon curling league called Curling & Coffee. The club’s annual meeting is coming up at the end of the month.
Both the Lions Club for the men and the Riverhills Lions Club for the ladies were present. The Lions Club currently has 22 members of all ages, with the youngest member being 19 years of age. Both clubs meet once a month.
The Leader River Hills Lions Club currently has thirteen members and had a few individuals who signed up that evening. They were also looking for new project ideas that would benefit the community.
Representatives from the Leader Friendship Centre were informing those who stopped by at their display about their upcoming events and fundraisers. Memberships cost $25 and are available to anyone who wants to join their group of 47 individuals. It’s a place to gather together for food, fun and conversation.
Trina Steinkey was at the fair to discern what level of interest there was in the community for a 4H program. She had people inquire from as far away as Golden Prairie and Fox Valley and was seeking out individuals who are willing to teach various skills to 4H members.
The quilting club currently has eight active members and always welcomes new people into their group. They gather together every Monday at the Trinity Lutheran Church. All fabric for the quilts is donated, and the quilts are donated to groups within Saskatchewan and Alberta. Leader’s quilting club has been operating for over 50 years.
Leader & District Arts Council had season tickets available for people to buy and provided information about their upcoming events. Members from the group let people know that they have available five panels, rods, drapes and bases for people to use on a donation basis, as well as tablecloths and centrepieces.
A representative from the Trinity Lutheran Church had a table informing the public about what they had to offer, including an upcoming winter clothing drive. The same representative was providing information about the Leader Pickleball Club. Their sign-up sheet was filled with the signatures of new players.
The Leader Food Bank is always looking for volunteers. It currently has eight members and is in need of food donations and volunteers to make deliveries. Once a month, they provide a dozen families with food hampers.
The Newcomer Welcome Centre is offered by the Leader & District Chamber of Commerce. It offers newcomers information and gifts from community businesses and groups.
Members from the Leader Skating Club notified the public about their upcoming registration night. They are always looking for new members on their executive.
There was also a representative from the Sandhills Music Festival, which is a registered charity. The Music Festival Committee currently has only four members and is in need of much more help.
The Youth Travel Group provided information about their next trip to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia in 2025. Leader Tourism, which currently has five members, welcomed new members and encouraged visitors to enjoy two walking tours they offer.
The Leader Walking Trail group includes seven members, but they are more than willing to accept more members and are always looking for new fundraising opportunities.
A committee of nine members is part of the local SW Growing Project in Leader. Their committee holds an annual garage sale and dinners with speakers as fundraisers and can always use more help.
Something new starting up this fall is the La Leche League of Canada. The group supports breastfeeding and new moms and will meet for the first time on October 5th at the library.
The Leader Library had an assortment of books on their table and had a sign-up sheet for adults interested in a computer literacy program. A number of people had signed up for the nine different class possibilities.
One of the booths at the fair provided information about a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) project, which provides client-centered services to address the needs of TFWs in rural Saskatchewan.
There was something for everyone at the Community Organization Fair and so many opportunities for people to help make their community a more enjoyable place to live, work and have fun.