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You are here: Home / Blog Post / Using auction games to motivate volunteers
Nov 29

Using auction games to motivate volunteers

Sherry Truhlar 2 Comments

Got problems getting auction volunteers energized to do what is needed to be done?

Here’s one tip: Give volunteers something new and creative to learn which also solves a problem your auction is experiencing. Volunteers will remain engaged if they believe the solution you are sharing is 1) fun and 2) will solve the problem.

When it’s fun to solve the problem, volunteers will do it.

I’ve written before about Volkswagen’s “The Fun Theory” project. The group conducted tests to see if they could influence the public to engage in activities generally considered unpopular, like these:

  • throwing trash in a bin instead of on the ground
  • obeying the speed limit
  • taking the stairs instead of the escalator

The result?

When the activity is fun, people did it again and again… even if it took them more time or made them work harder.

Consider the act of playing the slot machines. Gamblers lose money playing those slots, but they continue to do so because they think it’s fun to push the button and maybe win a jackpot.

Here’s a process I’ve used to engage auction volunteers which might help you work with your team.

  1.  In my initial meeting, we talk about last year’s auction fundraiser. If the topic doesn’t naturally come up, I’ll ask the volunteers what they didn’t like about the event. What were “the issues.”
  2. Based on those problems, I offer ideas for solutions. (I don’t offer ideas for everything; just ideas for issues identified as problems.)
  3. As I describe each idea, I note what they respond to as their buy-in is important.  They’ll work on what is appealing to them.
  4. Other ideas are abandoned.  (Even if it’s my favorite idea, I let it go. The ideas that work best are those that appeal to many, not just me.)

When you start sharing new ideas for the auction, your volunteers’ creative juices start to flow.

And when they are invested in the ideas, they will do a better job of making the idea happen!

If you’re stumped for new auction ideas (maybe you’re new to the Auction Chair role), here’s a resource.

auction games and raffles product

Charity Auction Bells & Whistles* looks at 10 common problems of auction fundraisers and offers 22 suggestions for addressing those problems with fun, interactive auction games, activity or raffle.

Your problem might be that …

  • you’re short on procured items this year
  • you need greater participation in the live auction so the “same old buyers” aren’t the only bidders
  • you need something that appeals to families because your fundraiser is a family-friendly event
  • you have too many items and need a fun way to sell some of them so you have more room on the table for your “star” items

(*Note: We change programs every so often, and this program is no longer available. Check out the “Store” for what’s current.)

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Copyright © 2010 Red Apple Auctions Co. All Rights Reserved

About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

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Comments

  1. Betsy Baker says

    November 30, 2010 at 4:34 PM

    Yes! Trick your volunteers into working and having fun at the same time. 😉 I think that many good volunteers go by the wayside because they’re either bored or feel unappreciated. Engage them in meaningful activity – suited for them – and they will thrive.

    Reply
  2. Karen_VolunteerSpot says

    November 30, 2010 at 12:41 AM

    Love this: Give volunteers something new and creative to learn which simultaneously solves a problem your charity auction is experiencing.

    Volunteers are an auction’s most valuable resource – thanks for the reminder to fully engage them in planning.

    Reply

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Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

Krystal Fenwick

Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!

Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)

Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.

Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
St. Henry District High School (Erlanger, KY)

Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!

Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)

I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)

If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.

Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member

The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.

Darrell, a long-time attendee

We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.

Nicole Carr, Director of Grants and Special Events
The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)

2012 Oakcrest Anne and CarolinaSherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”

Aren’t KK and Michael a cute couple? PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9NakF4TWkxSGRXVnpkSE10UW5Wc2JHbHpMVXRMTFdGdVpDMU5hV05vWVdWc0xVcHZjMlZ3YUM1dGNEUT0vP2NvbnRhaW5lcj1ldnAtV0JBVTkwTlVBUyI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+PGRpdiBpZD0iZXZwLVdCQVU5ME5VQVMiIGRhdGEtcm9sZT0iZXZwLXZpZGVvIiBkYXRhLWV2cC1pZD0iTWpBeE1pMUhkV1Z6ZEhNdFFuVnNiR2x6TFV0TExXRnVaQzFOYVdOb1lXVnNMVXB2YzJWd2FDNXRjRFE9Ij48L2Rpdj4= They liked that I “moved the crowd along … kept the crowd engaged but wasn’t obtrusive or invasive. We were able to talk but still keep track of what was going on.”

Staci Meruvia 150 ptYou have NO idea of how many people came up to me (I know Julie as well) and said, ‘That auctioneer was incredible … she engaged the crowd, … Read The Rest “Staci Meruvia”

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Irene attended one of my New Hampshire auctions and assumed I must be a radio personality — until I started to chant that fast talk. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz0iaHR0cDovL3JlZGFwcGxlLmV2c3VpdGUuY29tL3BsYXllci9SM1ZsYzNRdE1qQXhNUzFPU0ZOUVEwRXRTWEpsYm1VdWJYQTBMVEU9Lz9jb250YWluZXI9ZXZwLTVHMlVHQlFGN1YiPjwvc2NyaXB0PjxkaXYgaWQ9ImV2cC01RzJVR0JRRjdWIiBkYXRhLXJvbGU9ImV2cC12aWRlbyIgZGF0YS1ldnAtaWQ9IlIzVmxjM1F0TWpBeE1TMU9TRk5RUTBFdFNYSmxibVV1YlhBMExURT0iPjwvZGl2Pg== “I’ve been to this event before with a couple of other auctioneers,” she said, “Your ability to get personal… Read The Rest “Irene”

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