Another charity auction question

[October Reader]

Holly, does your charity event have both life and silent auctions? The event I am participating in next month was interested enough to include my donation in their life auction because they were able to establish relevance of my donation (painting of classical musicians) with the nature of their group gathering (group of mainly classical music enthusiasts).

I found the advice to do so here and it really worked for my benefit in this instance. I almost feel that I can rest the issue of proper exposure to the event handlers because they are interested in using the donation to their best advantage which ultimately works out for me too. Therefore, I don't really feel the desire to force my way into participating in the actual event.

[Holly Snyder]

Thank you very much Stanka and Michele for your advice and sharing your experiences.

October, I'm not sure of the difference between life and silent auctions. My portrait donation has no real relevance except that I'm going to display a painting of a child, in hopes that the parents there will be interested. Good luck on your auction!

Holly

[October Reader]

Thank you Holly for the well wish.

Hum, since I'm learning on the fly I wouldn't want to give you inaccurate info. But here is my impression.

Silent auction is more of a "backdrop" , " "relaxed" style of auction if you will where bidders are free to roam at their own pace and desire. They spend one on one time with the item for sell and make up their own minds at leisure. Bidders state their bit amt on bidding sheets placed with each sale item to communicate interest level to the auctioneer.

Life auction occurs within a specific window of time and is orchestrated by an auctioneer in front of an audience of bidders (like the kind you see in movies). The element of competition is hence more charged since bidders have to react immediately. The item for sell gets an opportunity to be under the spotlight sort of speak and the auctioneer "massages" the audience at his/her own discretion. Though the hasty nature of life auction may eliminate those who may be of a more hesitant nature. In terms of exposure, I'd think there are pros and cons with each style.

If your donation sample looks anything close to your "head study" posted on 11/02/04, I have no doubt in my mind that you are going to be VERY happy at the end of the evening! Best of luck!

[Mary Sparrow]

October, you are right.

A few of the auctions I have donated to do both, they have a room for the silent auction and then in the middle of the dinner they put the items up in the live auction that they think will bring the most money.

[Jean Kelly]

I'm donating to my first silent auction, a portrait with a size and subject limitation. The organizers are sending a free ticket, have told me to be sure to bring business cards and brochures etc. and are setting up a website for early viewing with any info I may want about me. The organizer told me today that she feels artists in particular give the most so they want to do everything they can to make sure the artist gets exposure from this event. Wow! I'm also on the list for the "Black and Blue Ball" for muscular dystrophy hosted by Harley Davidson. Again, they are bending over backwards to accomodate their donors. This is a formal ball (although some Harley execs come in their dress leathers) and one of their major fundraising drives. This should be fun if everything works out.

Holly, please report on your experiences with this.

Jean