Auction Advice

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Wonderful 

[Corporal Smokey]

Depending on how it works out, I'll try to have boards with Purrs and CatChat logos (I have a sign-writing friend) as well as our new logo which Licia (Dolcetta46) is very very kindly helping us out with! 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Yes please plug us too 

[Corporal Smokey]

Hi Gill, thanks for the advice. I'm glad we're back in the pub. The function room's free and the buffet's a fiver a head. There's only room for 60 so we should be able to fill it fairly easily (touch wood). On the promise side of things, we were going to print out a certificate and have a carbon-book-style copy to cover the legal aspect. Hopefully most, if not all of the donors will be people known to us at this level which is, again, a good reason to start small.

I totally agree about the organising thing too. I will ask them that at the next meeting.

I'll also be heavily plugging CatChat on the night too as their help (as well as Purrs obv) is invaluable to us rescues.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I think you are wise to start small and you need to ensure that any outlay is going to be covered and by whom.

We are lucky on Purrs cos the existing facilities are used and we found a way I think, of making it fun as well as raising money. The hardest thing that I do and its sooooo time consuming and boring , is the updates everyday so people can see what the situation is on each itme, other than that it runs itself thanks to all the wonderful Purrs people.

Another very important thing apart from any outlay say for the room etc, is that what you are auctioning really does exist and how you propose for the 'items' to get to people, are they handed over on the night or if its a promise, what guarentee do you have that a promise is kept.

The next thing is the money you receive, what sort of amounts are you expecting on the top items, we always ensure as far as we can that nothing is posted until we have the money.........no money no item. So if items are low value, say under £100 do you make sure that everyoone is aware they must pay in cash and if that is known , what are your security arrangements to get the cash safely to a secure place.

My recommendation is that you need at least one other person to help you to run this and be able to knock heads with. Also you need agreement from those in the upper chain to give you the responsiblity in running it without keep going back up the chain unless its a money needed thing or something very important.

[Corporal Smokey]

Well, further to my whinging yesterday, the Auction is now back in business and safely in the function room above the pub. Thanks goodness! I'd love to do the megabucks version but I think I needed to start small to get to know how best to run it.

The lots are now going to be on a level of "Week's stay in cattery" and "Spend an hour with a radio presenter" so if anyone has any ideas (and yes of course I'm also on a blagging mission) please let me know.

The event will be in Alfreton if anyone's interested in popping along 

[Corporal Smokey]

Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place but I'm after some advice from all the friends I've made on Purrs.

I discovered Purrs and joined after finding out about the auction from Tan as I am planning one locally (in Fundraising Events). Originally I wanted to do an Auction of Promises early in December but at the CP branch meeting, they convinced me to wait until spring to allow more time to get better lots.

My plan of holding it in the free-to-hire function room above the pub was also changed to it being a big, grand, black-tie do at a hotel somewhere. The lots were discussed and we decided to go for the big-time (autographed footballs, experience days etc...) to maximise our fundraising potential.

"Great" I thought. I did a lovely brochure and put it in the shelter. Loads of volunteers have commented on what a good idea it is but not a single person has offered to help.

Also, I'm at the bottom of a long chain of command so any desicions I make have to go through three other people. They're really busy running their shelters and not really internet people so emailing takes as long as writing letters.

I'm now thinking that to organise an event of this magnitude is going to be almost impossible on my own. I get back at 7 every night from work (although I have access to the net all day as long as I'm not busy at work) and Saturdays I help at the rescue. I try to snatch a few hours in between with OH and my cats but I have very little free time to actually dedicate to all this planning.

Then there's the costs involved. Ok, so I'll sell tickets but surely the Hotel will want money up front and some kind of commitment as to numbers.

I don't want to let the cats down and I want to raise as much money as possible but I'm thinking that the only way to do it is by auctioning the lots on eBay and getting local media to run stories.

Does anyone have any advice on this sort of thing? Do you think I should stick to eBay? Or should I stop whining and organise it myself and get the thousands of pounds my furry friends deserve?

Any advice will be gratefully received!

Amy