Welcome to You Make THE Difference -Wisconsin Follow Up Page
Over the next 30 days, we’ll guide you through transformative leadership practices tailored for these unprecedented times.
Each Monday, new training videos & materials will be made available, equipping you with essential tools to lead your fair to the next level!
Excited to support your journey!
Ian’s Week 4 Message
In this video, we focus on the foundation of a strong board: Goal, Role, and Winning. We define our shared goal, clarify the value of each role, and create small wins that build trust and momentum. Success starts with alignment, clear expectations, and courageous connection.
(Video Length 5min)
You Make the Difference – Video Library
Here is an outline of the video “library“.
Check back here each of the following days or binge watch as you wish, videos on the following subjects.
Week 4: From Insight to Action — Expanding Your Sphere of Influence
Tuesday
- The 100 Cups of Coffee Strategy — One Conversation at a Time - Learn how this grassroots strategy complements your grasstops work. It’s not about selling—it’s about aligning with your community through personal trust.
- Identifying 3 People of Influence - Get practical: Red/Yellow/Green coding, finding people of influence (not prominence), and what makes someone worth a coffee.
- The Conversation Blueprint: Listening, Sharing, Aligning - Master the 80/20 rule, communication filters (fact, emotion, values, belief), and how to “pair like earbuds” with someone.
Thursday
- Creating a Board success and expectation framework
Friday
- Building Our Self Care Plan— Building our plan to sustain our personal momentum and self care
- Final Reflection: One Person Can Make the Difference - A heartfelt close to the series—reminding you that the impact of one person can ripple out and change everything. That person is you.
Week 3 ~ Fundraising That Works Today
Tuesday
- How to Talk About the Fair Without “Asking for Money” (From Fundraisers to Advocates)
- Telling Your Fair’s Story So People Want to Help (Crafting and Communicating Your “Why”)
Friday
- Where the Money Comes From: 5 Ways to Fund Your Fair (The Five Revenue Streams)
- Turn Sponsors Into Long-Term Supporters (From Sponsorships to Partnerships)
- Easy Tools to Stay Organized and Follow Up (Simple Systems for Advocacy)
Week 2 ~ Retaining Volunteers
Tuesday
- Coaching Poor Performers
Thursday
- Create Your Outreach Plan
- Create Your Volunteer Experience Plan
Friday
- Celebrate and Recognize
Week 1 ~ Recruiting Volunteers
Tuesday
- Creating Your Personal Story/Organizational Narrative
- Casting the vision ~ Grasstops and Grassroots
- User Driven/Multiple Points of Entry
Thursday
- Volunteer Questionnaire Survey
- On-Boarding - Task Description and "Why Video"
- Effective Delegation
Week 4 Expanding Your Sphere of Influence
The 100 Cups of Coffee Strategy
One Conversation at a Time - Learn how this grassroots strategy complements your grasstops work. It’s not about selling—it’s about aligning with your community through personal trust. (Video Length 4min)
Identifying the People of Influence
Get practical: Red/Yellow/Green coding, finding people of influence (not prominence), and what makes someone worth a coffee. (Video Length 5min)
The Conversation Blueprint
Listening, Sharing, Aligning - Master the 80/20 rule, communication filters (fact, emotion, values, belief), and how to “pair like earbuds” with someone. Building trust, expanding influence, making greater impact! (Video Length 6min)
Creating Board Expectations and Success Framework
In this video, we walk through a practical process to align your board or committee around a shared goal, clear expectations, and a simple framework for measuring success. You’ll learn how to move from vague roles to real accountability—so every member brings value, and everyone knows what “winning” looks like.
Building Your Self Care Plan
Week 3 - Fund Development (Fundraising) That Feels Right
From Fundraisers to Advocates
Shift the mindset. Build the culture.
Most fair board members aren’t comfortable “asking for money”—and that’s okay. In this video, we explore the difference between fundraising and advocacy, and why it’s time to invite people to invest in something meaningful. Every board member can be an advocate—and this is where that shift begins.
(Video Length 4min)
Sharing Your “Why” Story
People don’t give to projects—they give to people.
Whether it’s a heartfelt story, a community tradition, or a moment that moved you, your “why” matters. In this video, we walk through how to craft a 60-second story that connects people to your fair’s purpose—and makes them want to be part of it.
(Video Length 5min)
The 5 Ways to Fund Your Fair
Don’t rely on one stream—diversify to thrive.
Successful fairs don’t just depend on one source of support. In this video, we break down five key revenue streams and help you identify which ones your board can grow—based on the relationships and resources you already have.
(Video Length 15min)
Turning Sponsors Into Partners
Today’s businesses want more than a banner.
The best partnerships go beyond logos and ad space—they’re built on shared values and real impact. In this video, we’ll show you how to create long-term, win-win relationships with local businesses that want to do good and be seen doing it.
Systems for Sustaining Donors, Partners, and Grants
Simple systems that make advocacy easier.
Feeling disorganized or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. This video introduces easy tools—like a donor log, recognition calendar, and story bank—that help you stay on track and make your efforts more sustainable over time.
Week 3 Handouts and worksheets
Here you will find the week 3 handouts and worksheets that correspon to the week 3 videos.
Week 2 - Retaining Volunteers
Create Your Outreach Plan
In this video we outline creating your written outreach plan to build our volunteer community!
(Video Length 15min)
Volunteer Experience plan
In this video we discuss the framework of a “volunteer experience“ plan, ensuring that we build a community of volunteers that thrIves. customers a reason to do business with you.
(Video Length 12min)
Celebration and Recognition
Volunteers that feel seen and heard those that feel invisible disappear! In this video Ian lays out a system for ensuring that volunteers are recognized and celebrated year round. Making them feel both seen and heard.
(Video Length 9min, see handout below)
Coaching, Poor Performers
In this video, we outline a system for coaching, poor performers, both individuals, and a group.
A practical trust based user driven approach to taking poor performers to standard and above standard!
(Video Length 25min)
Week 2 handouts and worksheets
Here you will find the handouts and worksheets that correspond with the videos for week 2.
WEEK 1: CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PURPOSE FROM THE START
Creating Your Personal Story / Organizational Narrative
This video walks you through the foundational step of volunteer recruitment: telling your story. You’ll learn how to articulate your personal journey and your organization’s mission in a way that inspires trust and connection. Discover how to position your fair or ag society as a compelling cause worth investing in—through time, talent, and treasure—by aligning your story with the values of today’s experiential, purpose-driven volunteers.
(Video length- 11min)
Casting the Vision – Grasstops and Grassroots
To recruit effectively, you must reach people where they are—with strategies tailored to how they engage. This session explores a two-pronged approach:
• Grasstops: Leverage social media and a strategic drip campaign to build awareness and momentum.
• Grassroots: Launch a relational marketing effort rooted in personal connection—like the “100 Cups of Coffee” strategy—to engage people of influence in your community. Learn how to cast a compelling vision that draws both digital audiences and key local connectors into meaningful partnership.
(Video length 17 min)
Building Your Community Through Social Media
Social media isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s a community-building powerhouse. For fair boards and societies, it’s not about selling tickets or promoting events; it’s about creating meaningful engagement that builds trust, fosters relationships, and strengthens community involvement. When done right, social media doesn’t just spread awareness—it mobilizes supporters, attracts volunteers, deepens donor relationships, and sustains engagement long after the event ends.
This session will dive into how fair boards and Ag societies can use social media strategically to cultivate an online presence that resonates with their audience, increases participation, and strengthens community bonds.
(Video Length 55min)
User-Driven Engagement / Multiple Points of Entry
Today’s volunteers expect choice, clarity, and flexibility. This video focuses on how to build a recruitment experience that meets people where they are—offering various pathways into your organization. From task-specific roles to behind-the-scenes support, you’ll learn how to design user-driven systems that make it easy and attractive for anyone to say “yes” to making a difference.
(Video Length 9min)
Volunteer Questionnaire Survey
This video introduces a comprehensive survey designed to gather insights into potential volunteers’ expectations, skills, interests, and availability. By understanding these aspects, organizations can align volunteer roles more effectively, ensuring a mutually beneficial experience.
(Video Length 5min)
On-Boarding: Task Description and “Why Video”
Effective onboarding is crucial for volunteer retention. This session emphasizes the importance of clear task descriptions and the creation of a “Why Video” to communicate the organization’s mission and values. Such tools help volunteers understand their roles and the broader impact of their contributions.
(Video length 5min)
Effective Delegation
Delegation is a vital leadership skill. This video explores strategies for assigning tasks appropriately, ensuring that volunteers feel empowered and trusted. Proper delegation enhances productivity and fosters a collaborative environment.
(Video length 8min)
Week 1 Handouts and Worksheets
Here you will find the handouts and worksheets that corresponds to the week 1 videos.
Organizational personal narrative worksheet (docx)
DownloadMultiple points of entry task, descriptions handout (docx)
DownloadVolunteer Questionnaire Survey Example (pdf)
DownloadVolunteer onboarding (docx)
DownloadEffective delegation (docx)
DownloadBuilding your community through social media (pdf)
DownloadYou Make THE Difference Tour handout (pdf)
DownloadTools to help you get started
Tools to help you get started
Here are tools to help you get started.
The first is a process for personal change and the second is an activity you can do to better understand your leadership style and the style of those you work with to create greater alignment. Check them out!
A process for personal change
In this video Ian lays out a process for personal change, a step by step process for implementing change in your personal or professional life.
Understanding Your Leadership Style
Here is an outstanding activity to better understand your leadership style and the approach of others.
Deeper understanding of your own approach and the style of others will increase the likelihood of alignment and success.
Mental Strength Menu!
The Mental Strength Menu is a proactive framework for mental resilience. It offers seven core practices—purposeful engagement, playful exploration, connection, reflection, physical vitality, intentional recovery, and restful sleep—designed to prevent stress and foster long-term well-being
Download the guide to start strengthening your mental wellness today!
Maximizing the use of your time!
In this video, Ian gives us a system to not only manage our time but more importantly to maximize its utilization!
Understanding Your Leadership Style Handout
Handout the accompanies the "Understanding Your Leadership Style" activity.
THANK YOU FAIRS.COM FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
Fairs.com believes that every fair in Wisconsin, regardless of size or budget, deserves access to the tools needed to operate, grow, and thrive. They recognize the vital role fairs play in their communities—preserving agricultural traditions, driving local progress, and fostering essential human connections. With innovative digital ticketing, marketing, and website services, Fairs.com provides a full set of tools to ensure fairs remain vital hubs of tradition and progress.
Get More Info on Fairs.com Services
The Changing Point
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.