Last fall, Councillor Paddy Weston spoke of her wish to have the City host a volunteer fair of sorts - - an opportunity for local organizations to do some board development and also recruit volunteers, while volunteers can see what organizations are looking for help.

With the help of some funding from the Columbia Basin Trust, Weston has been able to pull just such an event together.

It all happens on February 10, 2011 at the Kimberley Conference Centre.

"I'm quite excited about it," Weston said. "It's an opportunity for community organizations to showcase what they do, provide information and recruit volunteers."

Weston said it will be set up much like a tradeshow, with local groups and boards manning booths. Before the doors open to the general public at 5 pm, there will be a keynote address and skills development workshop for the boards.

"We have 88 non-profits in Kimberley, and almost all of them need help at all levels, but particularly at the board level," Weston said. "It takes special skills to work effectively on a board so we'd like to help with that."

"This is a good opportunity for organizations to reach out to each other as well," Weston said. "For instance, JulyFest reaches out to Rotary and other groups for help with their festival."

She has sent out emails to all the local non-profits and says initial response has been good. The registration fee is only $20 for a booth.

"CBT has been very generous. They are sponsoring the speaker and the facilitators. The City covers the cost of the facility and some administration. The Chamber is doing organizing and promoting."