With this headline and my physical proximity to the Pentagon, a bunch of men in uniform could be knocking on my door later today. (If I could only be so lucky...) But knowing auction planners, my provocative headline is only a tad tongue-in-cheek. (If you're scratching your head, watch the Army commercial.) When you're organizing an auction with thousands of details, time is precious. Despite the pressure, some of the most fun people I know plan benefits. They are creative, interactive, and ... Read On >
Blog Post
Steal this “walk-a-thon” idea for charity auctions
An old friend who never writes -- except to ask that I spend money buying into her latest business venture or charitable adventure -- emailed to ask that I support her in yet another walk-a-thon. This time, I declined. Even though I'm not contributing, others will. Walk-a-thons, bowl-a-thons, dance-a-thons ... you name it, "a-thons" have become popular in recent years. A business colleague confided that his informal research indicated "a-thons" were at the peak of their trend. "It's that ... Read On >
Sit! Using a flash mob to seat unruly charity auction guests
I've enjoyed watching flash mob videos, especially those in New York City where I'm familiar with the venues. Even just two weeks ago I stumbled across a flash mob on Bondi Beach while researching an Australian trip for a charity auction. But I'd never thought of using the concept to seat guests at the auction gala. In a June 2011 Chronicle of Philanthropy article, gala guests were encouraged to sit down via the incorporation of a flash mob dance routine during the reception. The ... Read On >
Selling a puppy at the benefit auction? Take steps to protect the dog.
This past weekend I was browsing through dog rescue sites looking for "my" dog (I can't wait to adopt!) and it jogged my memory to write this post. In Benefit Auction Ideas, I've written before about the selling of a benefit auction puppy. There's a proper way to present the animal. We covered selecting the perfect breed for your group, what to refrain from doing, and other tips. I'm not going to re-hash that content here, but I do want to offer some ideas on how you can protect the ... Read On >
Funky sound systems match your benefit auction theme
My recent articles in Benefit Auction Ideas (my twice-a-month ezine) have focused on suggestions for great benefit auction themes. In this post, I'm moving this theme concept in a new direction. Some elements of your gala are optional; others are required. Having a theme is optional. Offering items that people want - and guests with money to buy them - is required. A sound system falls into that latter category. It's required, even for small crowds. (I once used an at-home "toy" karaoke ... Read On >