Top 7 Auction Resources for Parents

What Makes a Good Auction Item?

• Resource #1: IDEAS FOR AUCTION ITEMS. Get your creative juices flowing and help jigger your brain into revealing whom you can approach.
• Resource #2: LAST YEAR’S SILENT AUCTION ITEMS. Look at this comprehensive list of the huge range of smaller to medium ticket items that were part of the past silent auction.
• Resource #3: LAST YEAR’S PROGRAM Check it out if you’re aiming for big ticket live auction items. The description of live auction items begins on page 29.

What Are the Best Ways to Get Them?

• Resource #4: PROCUREMENT TIPS, prepared by our most successful gift garnerer for past auctions, Loraine Hoonhout.
• Resource #5: DEAR FRIEND OF SMA Letters. Pick up a few from the office or print some from here. This is your evidence that you are legit. Carry them with you as you run errands so you are always prepared to ask for a donation!If you’d like to have a Dear Community Friend letter personalized for a particular vendor, e-mail Anne Bessette with the name and address and any other personalization you would like and she will produce the letter for you.
• Resource #6: SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Flyers. Take along a few if you know anyone who might be interested in making a cash donation rather than a donation of an item or service.

How to Submit and Track?

• Resource #7: DONATIONS AND ADVERTISING. This is the one form you REALLY NEED! Be sure to take several copies. You will need to submit one completed form with each item you successfully solicit or donate.
  Be sure to write your name as “solicited by” so you get credit for your effort!

All these forms are available in the office if you would prefer to pick them up.