Call it coincidence, divine intervention or luck, but I'd bet that you've had a situation whereby you see or hear something, and suddenly it shows up somewhere else. Like when you consider buying a particular type of car, and suddenly that model is all you see on the highway. That serendipity is what led me to write about today's subject. ============================== Thanks to a cancelled flight that left me scrambling to get from one fundraiser to another late last month, I've ... Read On >
Mindset
Two pieces of advice for planning a fundraising auction
It's January -- a time of new beginnings. Many volunteers will start working on their 2017 fundraising auctions in earnest. I offer two pieces of advice, based on my own experiences. ========================== Last October I worked with my team to launch V.4 of my website -- the fourth version in 11 years. The website launch went smoothly, in large part because I was working with a great technical team whom I've worked with for a few years. My joy was short-lived. Though the ... Read On >
Making the best of a $250 bad situation
Lord & Taylor department store in Tyson's Corner, VA has a great selection of fine dresses. It's one of my favorite stores to shop when buying gowns and cocktail dresses for benefit auctions. During the store's May sale, I was in a hurry. I quickly scoured the racks, bought three dresses, and took them home. One of the gowns was a Donna Ricco one-shoulder dress. Normally I wouldn't buy a one-shoulder dress for work, and $250 is the top-end of what I'd pay, but it fit so well, hit at the ... Read On >
The charity I see at charity auctions
Tonight I worked at a small charity auction. The crowd numbered ~80. The charity auctions items numbered only 12 hand-crafted art pieces. There was no silent auction or raffles. There was no sit-down dinner. My crew stayed at home, and I worked alone. I arrived with my bag, took a few photos of the space, and then started to admire the items for sale. When guests arrived, I mingled. The advantage of small auctions is that I have more time to visit with the guests. REALLY visit. Not just ... Read On >
NEVER say this onstage at a fundraising auction
Without a doubt, my pet peeve during a recession or general economic downturn is when the Executive Director, Auction Chair, or some other person of importance gets up to the microphone to say a few words at the benefit auction (e.g. thank sponsors and guests, etc.) and then -- immediately before I walk onstage -- pleads with the audience to "bid high, even though the economy is really bad right now." ARRRRGH! What are they doing?! Ladies and gentlemen, remember this: You will never, ... Read On >