Occasionally I write a blog post on something other than charity auctions. This is one such post. If you'd rather get help for your auction, take a look at this video on auction sponsorships or this post on a fun silent auction idea related to entertainment. But today, I'm ranting. And it's not on auctions. Since moving to the Washington, DC area, I've been annoyed with what I've perceived to be inaccurate weather reports around tornadoes. It's the tornado warning versus watch ... Read On >
auctioneer
Do your guests care whether you’ve hired a professional benefit auctioneer?
After one of my weekend auctions, my team and I fielded a number of compliments about our professionalism. It reminded me of a story. Back in 2005, I worked with a national client who held a fundraiser in Washington, D.C. They had three items to sell in a live auction. Although they often held live auctions, it was the first time they'd hired a professional benefit auctioneer to oversee it. The timing was bad for me as I was flying back from some work in Germany. With weather and travel ... Read On >
Graduated with my Auctioneer’s MBA (CAI)
Last month I completed a program I started three years ago. I finished my third and final year of CAI, which stands for the Certified Auctioneer Institute. Though there are some formalities that need to be completed before I'm officially able to use the "CAI" initials, I'm done. The program takes place at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and its overseen by the National Auctioneers Foundation. It's held in March, which - as a benefit auctioneer - is the worst possible time. March is a ... Read On >
Tell your benefit auctioneer when your nonprofit has a job opening
Here's some food for thought. If you're a non-profit with a job opening, tell your vendors. In the last four months, I've received emails from several different sources related to jobs. Two high-level development women are seeking new positions Two nonprofits have open positions (One is an Executive Director; the other a mid-level Development team member) One fellow auctioneer in South Carolina forwarded me the resume of a friend he knows seeking a development job in DC. "Can you forward ... Read On >
How to Find a Benefit Auctioneer
If you're new to charity auctions or new to working with auctioneers, you might be unsure of how to go about finding and selecting a benefit auctioneer. Here are six steps auction planners can use to not just survive the selection process, but actually enjoy the conversations. #1: Locate some benefit auctioneers If you're starting from a blank slate, visit the National Auctioneers Association website and use their "Find an Auctioneer" search tool. Auctioneers with a "BAS" (Benefit ... Read On >