• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About RAA
    • Meet Sherry Truhlar
    • What makes us unique
    • Reviews/Clients
    • Press
    • Licensing
  • Contact
  • Client Login

Fundraising gala auctioneer Sherry Truhlar

  • Services
    • Onsite Auction Services
    • Virtual Auction Services
    • Fund a Need Experts
    • Consulting
    • Onsite workshops
  • Products
    • $10 Trainings
    • On Demand Webinars
    • Books
  • Speaking
    • Why Sherry
    • Keynote and Other Topics
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Free Resources
    • Webinar: COVID-19
    • Virtual Gala Cheat Sheet
    • Newsletter
    • Auction Item Guide™
    • Recording: Porch Parties
    • Benefit Auction Case Study
    • Blog
  • Store
You are here: Home / Administration / Whiners on your benefit auction committee?
Nov 27

Whiners on your benefit auction committee?

Sherry Truhlar Leave a Comment

Meet Majestic, one of the dog greeters at the NH SPCA Auction for the Animals. He's "worked" this event every year I have ... perhaps more!

Meet Majestic, one of the dog greeters at the NH SPCA Auction for the Animals. He’s “worked” this event every year I have … perhaps more!

This past Saturday night while I was working with the very lovely guests supporting the New Hampshire SPCA, a hacker broke into my website. 

Some of you alerted me via email and Facebook. I never saw the posts because I was working. Until one of my team members called me on Sunday morning, I was blissfully unaware.  

When I went to the site, I certainly wasn’t happy. But I also didn’t melt into a pile of tears.

I recalled a story about a magician who was headed to Las Vegas for a national convention. He was scheduled to perform several tricks. When his luggage was lost by the airline, he stayed up all night in his hotel room, working to create a new trick from a deck of cards. His new trick turned out to be a fabulous one for which he received many accolades.  

hacked website

What my website looked like for three days.  It remarkably resembles my morning face, pre-coffee.

So what did I do when my website and online blog – which I’ve spent thousands of hours building – disappeared?  

First I thought, “How did this happen?” I thought perhaps it had to do with my traveling. I travel so often, I can see as where someone techy could steal passwords from me wirelessly. It would be nice if hackers applied their talents elsewhere, but my life perspective is such that I’m not one to judge someone for their choice of hobbies, either. I’d rather this happen than – say – be the surprise victim of a knock out game.

Next, I started to think.

On the plane ride home (when I was unsure if I’d be able to get the site back), I imagined re-creating my online business using a new model that didn’t have a blog. On the downside, there would be no more free content as I lacked the time to recreate it. On the plus side, it would streamline my business. I shared the concept with a couple of people.

“Lemonade from lemons” said my friend when I told her, “That sounds like you.”

As of last night, the site was restored. I was prepared to “go with the new flow,” though! There’s only so much bi*ching I’ll do.

Personally, I’m not a fan of complainers. I don’t mind someone voicing brief displeasure, but 15 minutes at a Pity Party is enough. Move on! Complaining gets you nowhere.  

When I meet with an auction committee, I most often hear frustrations and complaints around procurement. Someone will say how hard it is to get items … how they can’t get volunteers to ask … they can’t get nice items … or how they don’t sell their donations for what other groups do.  

When I’m working one-on-one with a client, I offer help. But outside of an onsite client relationship, I’ve previously not had a way to communicate all the knowledge accumulated from working with hundreds of nonprofits. 

This was why I created my upcoming intensive course, Big Ticket Procurement Secrets. If you have some complainers on your committee wailing about procurement – this is your chance to present a solution that solves their problems. They should enroll in Big Ticket Procurement Secrets.

But let me warn you … some people just like to complain. They’ll say they don’t have the time for the classes. Or they lack funds. Or they have a spring auction and this course is at the wrong time for them. I don’t buy it. Most people enjoy complaining for a plethora of reasons. Yet when the desire or pain looms large enough, these same people figure out how to make obstacles disappear!

To that end, if you know someone complaining who is as I just described, don’t bother telling them about BTPS. I don’t want Debbie Downers in the course!

On the other hand, this intensive course is perfect for these people:

  • Seek a strong dose of creativity for auction items
  • Don’t want to waste time. They have the mentality of, “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”
  • Like ready-made processes they can follow for results.
  • Get excited thinking about the possibilities for your event
  • Strong desire to help your charity
  • Lifelong learners; eternal students
  • ave a long-range view. Want to set up your auction for future success not just this year, but down the road
  • Belong on a team with many new people who need proper guidance

BTPS assemblyThis intensive course examines all elements of getting great items for your auction: what, how, and the techniques that enable you to sell something for more.  

If you happened to catch my free 90-minute training on procurement that introduced you to the course, you got a baby taste of what is in store. (The recording of that training is in the Digital Lounge, which is where I’ll store all of the course materials, transcripts, recordings, etc.)

Plus, there are multiple bonuses … a procurement database of 500+ companies, a webinar on art projects, and an interview with a secret guest who has the full scoop when it comes to getting hot items for goody bags. (I can’t wait to pick her brain on getting goody bag bling!)

The course starts next Thursday. Enroll and get details here.

See you soon!

P.S.  Turns out the hacker entered via an outdated version of software. 

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Pinterest Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Send email Mail
Copyright © 2013 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.

Reader Interactions

Asking for donations (the right ones) isn’t so easy
Procurement tip: Keep your auction donation request letter handy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Me Here

What auction planners say

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 year!… 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”

Geri said: “Great job of getting potential donors in the room to step up to the plate and not feel guilty or bad about it. They actually wanted to give more … and that’s not something I’ve seen in many other auctioneers.” 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 The following… Read The Rest “Geri”

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”

Most product & consulting remarks are found on their respective webpages, but I’ve listed two below so you’re assured my products are as spot-on as my auctioneering.   Not only was our 2013 auction a blast, but our Washington, D.C. public school raised $67,000 — that’s $25,000 more than last year! The evening went… Read The Rest “Carolyn Kahn-Hall and Andrea Del Vecchio”

Cynthia Steele Vance_150X180As a former Fox News Anchorwoman, I am often called on to perform at auctions. So, I know first-hand that auctioneering can be a difficult job. Sherry Truhlar is one of the best in the business.… Read The Rest “Cynthia Steele Vance”

Cynthia Steele Vance
Guest at The Potomac School 2014 auction (McLean, VA)

home | auctioneering | consulting | free item guide | about

 

Red Apple Auctions Co., PO Box 6066, Arlington, VA 22206
Toll free: 888-474-0838 | Email: Info@RedAppleAuctions.com | Copyright © 2005 - 2021

 

Sherry Truhlar • Charity Auctions • School Auctions • Fundraising Auctions • Auction Galas • Benefit Auctions

 

Terms of Use · Privacy Statement