We have approximately the same number of students and haven't made as much as you on our silent auction eventhough we have a great turnout so I was wondering how many different items did you have up for auction?

Don't get down about it! What you got is better than nothing at all and the kids will appreciate every dime!

I helped once again with our school's Spring Fling in April. We have about 670 kids and made approx. $11K. We usually do a live and silent auction, a dance in the gym for the kids, and start off with a dinner in the cafeteria and try to get as much donated as possible!!

This next year, we are going to combine the auctions with the carnival (which we usually do in the Fall) and skip the dance. We will try concession style food instead of a dinner and just have one big event.

Limit the amounts on each basket so you don't feel like you put a lot of money in and didn't get a high enough bid. It would just be like wasting money.

We have each class parent head up a class basket/project, plus each teacher donates something. (like pizza and ice cream class parties, etc)

We have always had our event on a Friday night and have had success. However, I came from a school in Houston, where we did it Sat. afternoon/evening. I think the time of the year and whether or not the climate is right, would help in the decision. I would think either Feb. - Apr. would be best.

There's really tons of ideas to implement, but sounds like you can make next year's event will be better and start the process months in advance, so you have more options and time for planning!

One more thing you might try is to offer a free school logo item or other neat item, that's not too cheap, but would encourage people to come and support the school!!

Hope this all helps!

How were the items auctioned?

1. By item?
2. By theme or basket?

I'd be overjoyed at 6700- so kudos to you.

I like smaller lots with 2-5 items (not likeours did- ie a 4ft bookshelf with over 30 books- yes the buyer got BANG 4 their BUCK(s)- but the PTA sure didnt)

Maybe post each lot with pix on school website before hand (or just a few to pique peoples interest)

and I agree get the community to get out (or in the doors) to purchase or bid on auction- dont just invite the school - invite any and everyone (within reason capacity wise)

JHB;132671 wrote: That is a nice amount to have raised, so congrats on that.

I'd second the suggestion to consider combining it with other activities.

For our school, we'd never try an auction by itself as I think we'd have a hard time getting good turn out. When we do one, it's part of our Spring Fling where there's a sock hop, concessions, bingo, and other activities. It's a once-a-year extravaganza and everyone looks forward to attending, so we are packed.

Thank you for the Congrats... this is only our second year hosting an Auction... last year's was tied to an "event" but we got complaints about it being too confusing and sepread out through out the school... so we decided to hold it on it's own... but always very afraid of having low turn out...

We certainly don't service a district where we could charge alot for a plate and have a sit down dinner...

Again... thanks for the feedback..
Laura

PresidentJim;132664 wrote: I agree with jurijeka, your event was obviously a success. But at the same time there is no harm in improving upon already successful events, and now is the time to discuss as it is fresh in your mind. Get these ideas down in your minutes so that you'll have reference for next year...

- Childcare is definitely a major way to increase participation. We often try to set up childcare down in the gymnasium, with parent volunteers runnings games, etc., down there so that the parents can enjoy the event.

- Maybe try to couple the auction with a kids friendly activity. That way the children will want to attend and the parents will "come along".

- Open it up to the community so that non-school adults can bid as well (depending on the items that you are auctioning off).

- Make sure that the event doesn't conflict with children's sports. There's a lot of activities going on right now, from baseball, softball, soccer, etc.

- Try to contact local sports teams, at least 6 months in advance, and ask for donations. We do this every year and usually get a signed baseball, a signed football, etc.. These items often are a great way to lure in the men.

- Ask for donations from local vendors. For example, golf items would be a big hit. Try to get a golf bag, a club, balls, etc. and package it together. That way when you send home the fliers about the event you can talk about some of the great items.

- Take out an add in the local paper, or see if they would be willing to post it at no cost.

- If your town has a cable channel see if you can have your event posted.

- See if one of the families near your school, that live on the main street, would be willing to have a bill-board posted a week or so before the event.

Hope these help.

PresidentJim

Thanks so very much President Jim... I have copied all of these idea's and we are going to review them at our meeting coming up next Monday...

Some of them we did... some of them we missed the boat... I think one of the biggest ones was having it now.. when people are busy with sports, mothers day, and life in general...

Any other thoughts about moving from Saturday night to a Friday night?

Thanks Bunches...
Laura

That is a nice amount to have raised, so congrats on that.

I'd second the suggestion to consider combining it with other activities.

For our school, we'd never try an auction by itself as I think we'd have a hard time getting good turn out. When we do one, it's part of our Spring Fling where there's a sock hop, concessions, bingo, and other activities. It's a once-a-year extravaganza and everyone looks forward to attending, so we are packed.