Things I have learned ( By a Gala Chair)

This was posted on Facebook by a Gala Chair we have been working with and I have re-posted it here with permission. Her name and contact information are at the end of the Post:

We are one week from the Red Cross Luminaria Gala and I have already started thinking about what I have learned as Chair of the Live Auction Committee.

Here are a few things I have learned:

1. If someone asks you to join an auction committee, say "YES!". Being a part of an auction committee or fundraising committee of any kind does not necessarily mean you have to ask your friends to donate stuff.

2. Pick great auctioneers who really understand the art and science of developing auction packages, who understand the audience, and who can really sell the packages. After all, this is a sales gig.


3. An auction committee does not need to be large - in fact it is too large it may lack focus. Our committee was comprised of 9 people including me.

4. Committee members each need to be driven, focused, competitive, and smart.

5. Give each member a specific job based on their strengths. For our committee we had:
- One member who didn't ask anyone for donations; she simply filled out online forms/grant applications from huge companies like Disney in order to get donations.
- One member to schedule meetings and handle logistics
- 2-3 people who are true "sales people" who aren't afraid to cold call and ask anyone for anything.
-2-3 people who have some really top connections and who can obtain unique gifts, tickets or experiences for your auction
- one person who can do the quantitative work and figure out what kind of auction items make money, which don't, and to make sure you are on track to hit your numbers
- one person to handle slideshows, brochures and collateral

6. Note that to get auction items from companies like Disney or Royal Carribbean you have to fill out their online forms. If you want to get airplane tickets donated your best bet is Southwest Airlines.

7. You NEED both men and women on the committee. Example: Mark conceived of our BBQ experience package and made it happen. I would never have thought of that. He also found out that you can fly to Sherman, Texas and go blow stuff up in a Sherman Tank. We didn't wind up getting that as an auction package but that is the kind of idea that is gold.

8. Every donation counts. A few of our committee members have been feeling like they didn't do enough or get enough donations. They are wrong. Every gift card, every piece of clothing, every ticket can and will enhance an auction package.

9. An auction committee is the ultimate team endeavor. Not one single person on this committee could have done all of this alone. We all needed each other and complimented each other's strengths.

10. Create auction packages that are unique experiences that you can't just buy off the shelf. If you get (for example) Gucci to donate a bag, your attendees will know the price of the bag (they can google it) and will under-bid to get a deal. If you get VIP tickets to a movie premier, you will probably generate higher bids because that is not an easily accessible item.


Just a few thoughts for my friends who are currently working on fundraising projects.

Originally Posted by: 


Liz Handlin, CEO, Ultimate Resumes LLC
Office: 512-249-5325
www.ultimateresumes.com
Ultimate Resumes Blog