The Women’s Division tried this experiment with a large exhibit at the Global Gathering in 1997. The answer was an amazing "yes"! The general exhibit area’s theme was children, and the goal of the Women’s Division display was to educate about the contributions various United Methodist Women and predecessor groups made to improving the welfare of children.
The environmentally-friendly design strategy was to build a garden/gazebo. One side would be actual gardens honoring the culture and eco-system where a featured woman lived -- with plants, trees, reflecting pools, etc. Garden tour guides and brochures described each woman’s garden and contribution. A brick-lined path wound through the gardens to the other side where display tables held participatory activities and hand-outs regarding current children’s advocacy efforts. The plan was for all signs to be taken back to New York headquarters to be reused. There would be no Astroturf in the area, because we learned that the company supplying it would just trash it after the event.
In advance of the event, a local United Methodist Woman tracked down a charity which was interested in taking all the garden and building supplies -- a local Habitat for Humanity. Everything was reused to landscape some of their inner-city homes. The Habitat volunteers dismantled the exhibit and devised some creative uses for what they found. For example, the Korean reflecting pool -- wooden frame and plastic liner -- was turned into a sandbox for children.
The table centerpieces at the business meeting were simple and graphic: two pitchers of water -- one clean, one obviously contaminated (non-toxic food dye, coffee grounds, hair mousse, etc.) The sign read: Which is your future? A flyer at each table gave information on local and regional water conditions and upcoming clean water legislation. There was a pre-addressed post card at each place setting. Participants were urged to write to their state representative about the upcoming legislation during a break and to return the postcards to the chair by the end of the meeting. A clever and simple way to educate and advocate!