2016 Charity Auction - Spitballing

[Ziggy]

It's halfway through the year, which is usually when someone first (publicly) mentions the next charity auction. Is it happening this year? I've got a couple neat things in the works for donations.

[8bit]

I definitely want it to happen but last year was like pulling teeth picking a charity and getting ppl to donate. Any ideas on what can we do to make this year easier and more successful?

[mjmjr25]

Yeah - it was almost to the point of uncomfortable finding donors. I think half or more of donors felt "obligated" after I harassed them enough.

It seems plenty of people are willing to set aside money to bid, but we haven't had that swell of people wanting to donate.

Maybe it's time for a new idea. Spitballing - what if we combined our Christmas in July with the racket auction?

Your donation is based on your level of happiness with your gift. Everyone involved gets one package and ships only one package. Makes things cleaner and might generate more interest? Just an idea.

[chupon]

I'm down for donating stuff.

[Ziggy]

I added a poll to the first post.

I definitely want it to happen but last year was like pulling teeth picking a charity and getting ppl to donate. Any ideas on what can we do to make this year easier and more successful?

Yeah - it was almost to the point of uncomfortable finding donors. I think half or more of donors felt "obligated" after I harassed them enough.

Could it be that people didn't think about donations until NOV/DEC? Maybe if people start thinking about it now, we can get more donations. If you wait until the first donation announcement is made, then you're pretty much limited to whatever is in the back of your closet (which might be nothing). If you start thinking about it now, you have more than enough time to come up with something.

Come on, people! Ask your friends and family what they have in their basement or attic. Search a thrift store if you're passing by one. Get something on eBay if you see it going for a good price. Come up with something awesome you can make!

Maybe it's time for a new idea. Spitballing - what if we combined our Christmas in July with the racket auction?

Your donation is based on your level of happiness with your gift. Everyone involved gets one package and ships only one package. Makes things cleaner and might generate more interest? Just an idea.

IDK, I don't see that generating as much money. Let's say you donate a one-of-a-kind item to the auction and the bids push the price over $100. Someone's "happiness" might only pay $50 for the same item.

Also, I would like to donate more than one item. And I know there's others that generally donate more than one item every year.

PS, chupon, I plan on having some cool stuff for you this year!

[mjmjr25]

I'm not trying to be a downer man - every year people say they are going to donate...most don't.

We start the threads in mid-summer and really start hyping early fall - time to think about it isn't the issue. We can say think about it now - it doesn't take time to think. You either are willing to put something in, set aside now, or you aren't. It isn't more complicated than that.

Last year we had 44 items...from a whopping total of...13 donors. Thirteen. I just checked the list - 7 of those were personal favors of friends I asked directly to donate.

[Ziggy]

What I meant was, I think most people don't see it until there's a thread pinned in the announcement area, which usually isn't until the end of the year. And by that time it's too late.

I disagree, it does take time. Not time to "think," but time to come up with stuff. If you're only first reminded about it a week before the call for donations deadline, then you're limited to whatever you might have lying around. If you start making preparations NOW, everyone could come up with at least one good item.

We've had a mid-year spit balling thread for a few years in a row now, and there's really only a hand full of people that post in them. Most people don't chime in about the auction until the ball starts rolling at the end of the year. And the majority of people don't start actively participating until the official announcement is made and it's pinned in the announcement area.

But yeah, whatever we do, we gotta improve from last year. 44 items from 13 donors really isn't a horrible thing, but it's shit compared to previous years.

[strangenova]

I'd be willing to come up with something. I think the charity auction is a grand idea, I'll support it.

[Ziggy]

I have some (what I think is) pretty cool items that I plan on donating this year. How about I threaten to hold back items unless X amount of people donate.

[jp1]

I'll donate some stuff.