Art Auction

Number of People: 2

Budget: $15

The Art Auction was started to boost funds in the Ginny Levine Shoalership Fund. People are encouraged to donate items of art, crafts, or services that conferees then bid on in a silent auction format. The bidding is fast and furious at the end if you have done your job right, for you are responsible for whipping people up into a frenzy of spirited bidding. In the past, the auction is over at 6:15 p.m. sharp Thursday night, leaving you time to make a list of successful bidders, from whom you will extract the promised amount before they walk away with their treasures. You will need 4 people during the week and 6 people on Thursday night to help with the collection process. Line these people up early!

This activity occurs toward to end of the week after people have had time to create their masterpieces and decide which ones they will donate to the auction, and the chairs may have reminded people to bring older Star Art out with them.

You need to announce early in the week that as many donations of art & services as possible are needed. You should also announce during the week that there are items to bid on, when enough pieces are there to make it worth the visit. This system gives the conferees more time to review the offerings and make bids. After the "show" is hung in Newton or Marshman, you need to encourage people to loosen their wallets for a very good cause. Remind them that this is a fundraiser and is not the appropriate time to be nice to someone. Make announcements at social hour since that is a good time for them to migrate next door and check it out.

Often there is a bidding frenzy in the last few seconds as people try to be last on the list before it is taken down. You may want to consider flagging a few contested items that are obviously going this way and run a quick live auction for them after the silent auction closes.

Bring signup sheets, to be posted by each item for bids, to island with you!

Do not use Numbers in place of Names. Contributors like to know who is bidding on their items. Bidders like to know who is opposing them.

Needed (you will be reimbursed if you present receipts, unless you are willing to donate these supplies):

• labels for paintings
• push pins
• bid slips
• notebook/tablet to keep track of donations and high bidders
• pens and pencils (pencil sharpener)
• colored paper
• paper for signs
• sign-up sheets
• small hammer
• tape

You are also responsible for collecting the money bid on art items. Get your assistants to help. Frequent announcements at meal times and, if necessary, a list of name posted by the Starboard is an effective way of getting people to pay up. Don’t let people pick up their purchases until they have paid.

HAVE FUN!

C&C 1996, K & D 2000, C&B 2001; MELD 2002, R&S 2003,S&J 2006