| For release December 11, 2011
CFSA's Contract with CFFA Extended
On December 7, 2011, CFSA's board of directors voted unanimously to continue to provide administrative services for the California Fairs Financing Authority (CFFA), formerly known as California Construction Authority (CCA). As was announced last July, CFFA is now working from within CFSA's Construction Department.
The new contract between CFFA and CFSA's boards of directors runs from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. During this time, CFFA will continue operating under its joint powers agreement and, most importantly, to continue assisting California's fairs with planning, design, bidding, contract management, construction management and project close-out services on a fee-for-service basis.
For release November 18, 2011
The fyi Newsletter is Going Online Only
Beginning in January 2012, CFSA's fyi newsletter will be delivered by email only. Not only will this save on postage and paper, but it will enable the newsletter to include photos and other online perks. If you are a California fair manager, CFSA has your email and you'll automatically receive the newsletter. If you're not a manager, to ensure the continuation of your subscription, please email fyi's editor, Melissa Thurber at mthurber@cfsa.org.
Remember too, if you miss an issue, all issues of the fyi newsletter are available in the fyi archive.
For release October 18, 2011
California Fair Services Authority Hires Becky Bailey-Findley as New Executive Director, Effective January 1, 2012
The Board of Directors for California Fair Services Authority (CFSA) voted unanimously today to hire Becky Bailey-Findley as its new Executive Director beginning January 1, 2012. Formerly the CEO for the OC Fair & Event Center, Bailey-Findley has worked actively in the
California fair industry since 1986, beginning with her involvement in fairs as a young 4-H member in Fullerton. In recognition of her extraordinary service to the fair industry, Bailey-Findley was inducted into the prestigious Western Fairs Association Hall of Fame in 2009. She served as CEO for the OC Fair & Event Center for 15 years and since leaving that organization in 2008 has provided strategic planning and consulting services for other fairs in California and for the California Construction Authority.
"Becky brings experience and a style of leadership to CFSA that will help the Authority and member fairs face the critical challenges and threats currently presenting in the California fair industry," said John Root, Chair of the CFSA Board of Directors. "We believe that Becky will build upon the credible services and trustworthiness of CFSA, affirming the capacity of CFSA to be a leader and decisive contributor to the health and well being of California fairs.
Bailey-Findley is taking the reins from Donna Bardaro who has served as CFSA's Executive Director for over 12 years, working in the California fair and agriculture industries for a total of 43 years. Under Donna's leadership CFSA established strong administrative and
operational systems, grew the customer base, added key services for California fairs and has generated tremendous good will and stability within the California fair industry. "Donna has positioned CFSA to meet the challenges of the fair industry. She helped pioneer the
CFSA culture of service, leading by example with innovation, responsiveness and hard work," Bailey-Findley stated. "As a fair CEO I have benefitted from her leadership and now am honored to follow her legacy."
Before Bardaro's retirement at the end of the year, she and Bailey-Findley will work together to ensure a smooth transition and to further the strategic initiatives of CFSA and the Board.
"The Board feels it is important to make our new Executive Director available to California fairs in order to learn how best to provide needed services and to participate in planning with other fair related agencies, especially in this time of restructure and building self-sustaining business models for fairs," Root concluded. "We are excited about the opportunities to serve our member fairs in strategic ways, with services and products that address your immediate and long range needs."
"The California fair industry is facing critical, defining circumstances and I believe CFSA is poised to provide crucial leadership and services to the fair industry. I look forward to advancing the vision and strategic plan of the CFSA Board of Directors," Bailey-Findley affirmed, "preparing CFSA to be the lead service provider to California fairs."
It is the mission of California Fair Services Authority to deliver efficient and cost-effective risk management, insurance and business solutions through a flexible and responsive partnership with its member fairs. Established in 1986, CFSA manages seven individual risk-sharing pools along with five CFSA service departments. CFSA also partners with the Department of Personnel Administration and the Division of Fairs & Expositions as a pass-through agency for several fair and fair employee programs. Exclusively for California's fairs, CFSA also provides a full complement of business support and fair employee benefit services including accounting and payroll services, group purchasing, computer services,
risk management and in-house claims adjusting.
CFSA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors elected from and by CFSA's membership. Board members include: Brian Bullis, CEO - Mariposa County Fair; Patricia
Conklin, CEO-Sonoma-Marin Fair; Rebecca Desmond, Director - Division of Fairs& Expositions; Kelley Ferreira, CEO - San Benito County Fair; Vice-Chair Regina Goody,
CEO - Yuba-Sutter Fair; Rick Pickering, CEO - Alameda County Fair; and Board Chair, John Root, Public Member. Operating revenue is derived from fees assessed on provided programs and services.
For release July 26, 2011
Play It Safe: Wash Your Hands (And Watch Where You Step!)
The Consumer Protection Committee, comprised of representatives from the Division of Fairs and Expositions, the Western Fairs Association and CFSA, is hard at work on a special Toolkit designed especially for fairtime animal exhibitors. Our goal? To give animal exhibitors the scoop on poop! (And how animal waste can carry illness causing bacteria.)
In the short video, written by Melissa Thurber, CFSA's communications officer, Professor Goodfeather (the gentleman in the pith helmet, below), explains to 4-H, FFA and individual animal exhibitors how they have a responsibility outside the show ring. That responsibility? To set a good example to their friends and the public when it comes to working around and enjoying animals in a public setting.
Here we are on the "set," at the Sacramento County Fair. In this scene, we enlisted the help of a mom and dad (not shown) and their two youngsters. When the baby drops her sippy cup on the ground, Professor Goodfeather steps in to advise the dad to sterilize the cup before giving it back to his daughter.
Working in partnership with the Division of Fairs and Expositions, and Western Fairs Association, CFSA is in charge of the video portion of the Toolkit, which also includes an informative brochure and fairground signs. The kit will be delivered to all ag teachers in California with a request that the video and brochure be shared with all 4-H, FFA and Grange exhibitors.
To tape the video, we gathered up our crew and headed out to the Sacramento County Fair on Friday, May 27. We were greeted by swarms of excited children ~ it was School Day! Their teachers get an "A" for their excellent child wrangling skills.
After we unloaded our equipment at the Livestock Barn, we were off in search of our 4-H and FFA volunteer actors and actresses. With their help and that of our wacky but knowledgeable Professor Goodfeather, our goal was to produce a video that would help educate viewers on the importance of washing their hands after working with their animals, especially before eating or heading for home.
CFSA's 2010 Annual Report, CFSA Now ~ More Than Ever! is now Online!
Annual Report Archive: If you'd like to read an earlier annual report, you'll find reports from 2003 through 2008 in our archive . You can also request printed copies by contacting Melissa Thurber, 916/263-6163 or mthurber@cfsa.org. (Remember to include the year you're interested in.)
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