Editor’s Note: See pdf below for list of participating groups.

To the surprise of exactly no Culver City residents, “Fantastic!” was the first word from Jim (The Organizer) Clarke after Saturday’s maiden Non-Profit Fair at the Vets Auditorium.

Actually, the driven and intensely focused City Councilman was using that term almost from the opening bell at 11 in the morning. That was when curious residents already were at the door, anxious to enter.

It was a splendid outing – from the turnout of non-profits to the public turnout of 250 persons during the smart three-hour display.

There was a steady stream of visitors, many in the second half of their lives.

This was an indication they may have been drawn to investigate volunteer opportunities.

“The good experience,” said Mr. Clarke, “was the interaction among the (non-profit) organizations. People getting to know each other – and each other’s groups.”

That was a main motivation of the organizer.

Critical question:

Will there be a Non-Profit Fair II?

“Yes, I think we will do that,” said Mr. Clarke.

He spent part of the program schmoozing with another organizing ace, John Cohn of the aptly named Exchange Club.

Exchanging developing visions for future promotions, they introduced Dr. James Limbaugh, president of West Los Angeles College, to the roaming crowd.

Dr. Limbaugh is interested in hosting a leadership training program for non-profits on the West L.A. campus.

The leadership event, said Mr. Clarke, would be intended to teach skills to non-profit decision-makers, “everything from how do you build your membership, how do you do media, to how do you run board meetings.”