REVS night competes with online registration

Adelle Ellis
Times Reporter

 

Thirty-one groups participated in REVS (Registrations Education Volunteer Service) night Feb. 8 at the Strathmore Civic Centre. The REVS event allows groups to showcase and promote their services, sports groups and events.
The semi-annual event is hosted to allow groups, businesses and organizations to publicize their offerings to the community.
“It’s nice having everything in one spot where you can see what is available in town,” said Jessica Graham. “I never knew there were all these groups like a skating team or run club (before REVS night).”
The opportunity was used by the groups for the purposes of registration, providing services such as classes and assisting people, recruiting volunteers, promoting businesses, providing information to the public and fundraising.
Although spring REVS night is usually quieter than the winter REVS event, many organizations noticed there seemed to be even less booths, some tables were left empty and there were less patrons attending the event.
“There are not many families here tonight,” said Master McKenzie, owner and instructor at Victory Martial Arts Studio. “Years ago it used to be full, it is quiet this year.”
McKenzie attributed the poor attendance to the economy downturn, the recent cold spell and snow fall, and slippery roads.
“But even if no one comes (to our booth) this is still worth it to be here. If we get one kid to sign up that is good enough,” he said.
A perk of having less people at the event was that there were short or nonexistent lines to each booth, allowing people to spend more time talking with organizations.
“I am talking to a lot of people and getting a lot of good information about dates and times (of events) and how to schedule three kids so they can all do something and I can juggle them all,” said Graham.
Many organizations also attributed the low attendance to the availability of online registration which many groups have set up.
“Now that our registration is online, the only people coming here are new people making sure they have the right website and some who want to ask questions,” said Susan Biskup of Strathmore and District Minor Baseball.”