Community Pages

Minnesota State Fair Information

Questions? Contact:

Carissa Hahn
612-728-5119 or
320-583-5247 (cell)
chahn@smumn.edu

Saint Mary’s University Volunteer Information

Thursday, Aug. 22 – Monday, Sept. 2, 2019

Thank you for volunteering to staff the Saint Mary’s University booth at the Minnesota State Fair. We appreciate your time and effort in making this a great event. Below you’ll find information about the fair, the Saint Mary’s booth, directions and parking, etc.

Questions and Answers

Why do we attend this event?

Our goal is to engage with alumni, generate leads, and leave a favorable impression with prospective students, current students, donors, friends, parents, members of the community, and more.

What is my role at the fair?

To meet and cheerfully greet the public, engage in meaningful and accurate conversations about the university and our programs and people, obtain prospective student information, reconnect with alumni, and distribute giveaway items.

What is the best way to get to the fair?

The fairgrounds are on Snelling Ave., north of I-94 in St. Paul. Once you’re near the fair, there are many convenient, free park and ride lots that you may use. You may want to use one that drops off at Gate 5, which is about a block from the Education Building and our booth. You can try to park near the fairgrounds on the street or someone’s lawn, but that can be a hassle and involve a fair amount of walking.

Volunteers will be reimbursed for mileage and parking as needed. More details will be sent to volunteers, but you can email marketing@smumn.edu if you have questions.

Directions to the Fair

Park and Ride locations

Where is our booth located?

In the Education Building, near Gate 5 on Snelling Ave. Inside the Education Building, we’re in the back right corner of the building.

Map of the fairgrounds

How much travel time should I build into my schedule?

If using the park and ride system, you may want to arrive an hour before your shift in case of heavy traffic. If driving and parking near the fairgrounds, add about 30 minutes into your travel schedule. Arrive early for your shift so shift workers overlap and no one has to stay longer than their scheduled time slot. If you’re running late, try to contact someone from the earlier shift or let Carissa Hahn know at 612-728-5119, cell 320-583-5247, or chahn@smumn.edu.

How long is my shift?

Four hours. It’s vital the booth be staffed at all times. If working the evening shift, please do not leave before 9 p.m. Per fair rules, the booth must be staffed from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily or we could lose our fair booth.

What if I can't make my appointed shift?

Try to find a replacement. In an emergency, contact Carissa Hahn at 612-728-5119, cell 320-583-5247, or chahn@smumn.edu.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing and footwear, including a shirt or polo that says Saint Mary’s University or has our logo visible. It can get very warm inside the Education Building. Neat shorts, capris, or a skirt (khaki or black preferably) are acceptable.

What Saint Mary’s information can we hand out?

There will be a flyer to give visitors. Take a moment to review the information when you arrive. If someone has a question that you can’t answer, write it down in the provided notebook.

Direct visitors to one of our two iPad stations to enter the giveaway drawing, browse our website, sign up for a campus visit or open house, request more information, apply, visit the alumni website, etc. We will also have paper forms available as a backup if the Wi-Fi is not working.

Should I keep track of comments and questions?

You can if you’d like. These are very useful! A notebook will be provided.

What are the booth giveaways and instructions?

We’ll be giving away pens, backpacks, tote bags, pennants, and window clings. More instructions will be provided at the booth.

Two Winona weekend packages will be given away at the end of the fair (booth volunteers do not draw prize winners). To be entered in the drawing, individuals must fill out the form on the iPads or paper.

Where will the giveaways and supplies be kept?

The supplies and giveaways will be stored behind the display.

What do I do at the end of the shift?

Do not leave until a volunteer for the next shift arrives. If you’re the last shift of the day, stay until 9 p.m.

Please plug in and charge the iPads (and close out any of the non-Saint Mary’s tabs). Turn off the booth lights, shut off the fans, and tidy up the booth area. An organized, uncluttered booth is the most inviting. Plus, no one wants to show up for the 9 a.m. shift and find a messy booth.

Booth Guidelines

HOW TO PROMOTE SAINT MARY’S

Smile! The best way to get people to stop by the Saint Mary’s booth is to smile and greet people.
Ask visitors if they’re familiar with Saint Mary’s University. If not, learn and share the About Saint Mary’s and Fast Facts. Also, familiarize yourself with the flyer at the booth.
When a potential student asks about a specific program, and you’re unsure of the answers, assure the person that we’ll follow up with more information if they fill out the iPad form/interest card and provide their question. Also guide them to one of our iPad stations and help them bring up the proper program page.
Focus on the friendly, person-centered atmosphere at Saint Mary’s.
Have fun! If booth volunteers are having a good time, the attendees will want to join the fun.

FIVE WAYS NOT TO GREET ATTENDEES

Saint Mary’s booth staff should create a welcoming atmosphere that makes it appealing for attendees to want to stop by. What you don’t do can be as important as what you do.

Don’t sit. A standing, enthusiastic booth staff attracts more visitors and engages others. Stools will be available for booth volunteers who have health concerns or need a break.
Don’t read. You aren’t able to make eye contact with attendees as they walk by your booth.
Don’t eat or drink. There will be water available in the booth, and we want you to stay hydrated. But please keep your water bottle out of view, and bring a snack if you need something to eat during your shift. Our booth displays are large enough that you can go behind them to take a snack break.
Don’t ignore attendees. If you’re busy when someone approaches, either acknowledge them or try to include them in your conversation. If you’re talking with a booth-mate, break it off and turn your attention to the visitors.
Don’t talk or text on your phone. Time on the phone is time away from potential prospects and tells everyone you have better things to do. If you need to make an important phone call, try to call from outside the building.

About Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s University believes that when people work together, the world gets better. Those who create knowledge have a responsibility to share it. And the purpose of education is to empower. These beliefs stem from our roots as a Lasallian Catholic institution. They’re reflected in the lives we change and the relationships we build. On all of our campuses, students connect to something bigger and leave ready for their moment.

Core Message

The people who get to know you at Saint Mary’s — faculty, peers, staff — all become allies. It’s here, in an intense give-and-take setting, where each of us discovers just how much we can grow. You’ll find, in every one of our classrooms, a relationship-driven, person-centered education. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to make an impact, to achieve beyond expectations, to be known.