A few years ago I ran a course called Easy First Auctions. It was designed to help groups launch an auction correctly to avoid volunteer burnout. I shared what really mattered, so Chairs didn’t get overwhelmed with it all and never want to run an auction again.
I could have honestly promoted it by writing, “Here are the elements your auction should include in the early years, so you don’t get a divorce.”
Auctions put enormous stress on volunteer chairs.
Though I’ve talked about this extensively in some of my classes, I haven’t spent any time addressing it. Until today.
It’s easy to focus on the glamorous side of the benefit auction. “We’re raising money!” “We’re throwing a fun party!” From the outside, those are positive elements to focus on.
Personally, I know my clients pay me for the energy I carry into an event, and likewise, YOUR committee will be inspired by YOUR energy in the planning stages. Focusing on the rah-rah is necessary.
But even us benefit auctioneers fall into this trap of only talking about the niceties. We’ll show photos of the gorgeous venue, extravagant decorations, and a smiling high-profile or celebrity guest.
It’s easy to make it look like it’s all wine and roses when we post online.
The unspoken side is that the personal demands of chairing a school auction can be enormous.
Time and time again I’ve heard an auction chair say, “I can’t ever do this again. My husband said he’d divorce me.”
With that, I present this video and share some real-world stories.
