Fair Systems that Work Newsletter
“If nobody else knows how to do it, that’s not job security… that’s a liability.”
This past month, I’ve been talking to ag societies and fair directors across the country. Every single conversation reminds me how much heart and hustle goes into keeping a fair alive.
But one theme stopped me in my tracks.
I asked a president how his board divides the work. His answer?
“They don’t really have titles. I do most of it myself. Entertainment, booking, you name it.”
Ummmm I said PARDON?!
Now listen, I know every fair has its own way of doing things. Some are big, some are small, and some run on the backs of a handful of very committed people. But here’s the problem: when one person does everything because “no one else knows how,” your fair is standing on shaky ground.
That’s not strength. That’s survival mode.
And survival mode doesn’t build legacy.
Here's Why:
- Burnout is inevitable. One person carrying the fair on their back eventually breaks down.
- Knowledge gets trapped. When only one person knows how to do things, the fair can’t outlast them.
- You stall growth. Without clear roles, no one steps up, learns, or prepares to lead in the future.
What's the fix? It's not complicated:
- Assign clear titles and roles to each director.
- Build simple checklists so knowledge doesn’t live in one head.
- Train conveners and volunteers under each director.
The hard truth is: most boards get stuck right here. Everyone agrees it needs to be done, but no one knows where to start. It feels overwhelming. The thought of mapping it all out is exhausting. And because it feels so heavy, nothing gets done, the president just keeps doing it all.
That’s exactly where I come in. I’ve been working with fairs across Canada to break the cycle of overwhelm by building the checklists, role descriptions, and full board audits that make the work simple and shareable. Instead of one person carrying the whole fair, you get systems that spread the load and protect your legacy.
Your fair should not depend on superheroes. It should depend on systems. Titles, tools, and templates protect your legacy and make sure the next generation isn’t starting from scratch when you finally get the break you deserve.
Let's Get to Work
Kryssie ❦
P.S. If this hit home, pass it along.
My passion is keeping fairs alive, but it’s your passion that makes the mission possible.
3 Ways to Work with Fair Systems That Work ↓
👉 Fair Audits
It’s not just about your board. Audits look at your whole fair, from directors to conveners, volunteers to systems. You’ll get a clear snapshot of what’s working, what’s not, and where the biggest gaps are so you know exactly what needs to change.
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👉 Membership
Join the Fair Systems That Work Membership (launching October 20) and access tools, templates, and monthly fix-it calls that take your fair from chaos to confidence.
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👉 Contact Kryssie
Don’t know where to start? Let’s have a call and figure out what needs to happen. Sometimes it’s a full system overhaul, and sometimes it’s just a simple tweak.
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