In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Programs, Policies, and Procedures Each year, two or three weeks from the date of the auction, the chapter auction chair would call to request a staff member to help organize the auction. The chapter had developed the habit of waiting until the last minute to start work on the auction. Planners would panic and call the parent organization for help. To date, they had been getting that help. And they probably would continue to get it as long as the chapter’s leadership continued to beg the parent organization’s volunteer officers. The volunteers always caved in to the request, and staff were sent to the rescue. The help had been needed when the chapter was just starting out. Staff had been hired for the purpose of getting chapters on the path to holding effective events and raising money, but this chapter was no longer new or needy. I started a field fundraising support service as part of one of my earlier jobs. Once established, field service staff were on call to help the 250 or so chapters worldwide raise funds at their events. Most of the existing chapters were already solid performers, so the real added value of the field staff was in starting new chapters . Staff gave help where needed. The idea proved effective—get a chapter going on a sound footing by assisting in the first and maybe second fundraiser and then provide occasional support if necessary thereafter. Local chapter fundraising revenue rose by 89% in three years as this service geared up. These chapters were successfully using many of the techniques mentioned in this book, and some were pioneered there. Among keys to success was an established set of policies and procedures by which auctions were run and to which the chapter’s event planners were held accountable. These were the standards that established the credentials of the chapters to raise 6 PrograMs, PoliCies, and ProCedUres 47 vided to potential attendees. this is usually sent by mail or e-mail to lists maintained by the host organization of its members, potential donors, and potential event attendees. it also may be sent to people meeting certain criteria from a list purchased by the host organization from list-service companies. the advance program can also be published in its entirety or in installments in the host organization’s newspaper, magazine, and newsletter and on its Web site. event Web sites can feature an interactive auction section where photos and video of auction and raffle items can be viewed. sidebar 6.1 lists items to be included in an advance program. the advance program and any associated socialfunds and created consistency in how they did so. They were published for all to see. a PrinTed or online advance event program and printed auction program provide important information intended to help potential attendees and market the event and its fundraising. some events feature their own Web site and additional Web presence through profiles on social-media sites. descriptions of auction items and values should be included to entice people to attend, but in addition to marketing materials, the programs and Web sites should include information that helps establish the authenticity and professional nature of the event, the auction , and the host organization. such information includes auction and bidding rules, as well as a set of bidding instructions to help people who are new to auctions bid with confidence or to refresh the memory of seasoned auctiongoers. in addition, the host organization’s event policies and procedures should be listed in printed programs and online materials. this serves as a legal notice to bidders and binds the host organization to a set of rules. these help guide both bidder and host organization in addressing any problems that may arise in a fair and consistent manner. they serve to establish the authenticity of event and host. such printed and online materials are an essential ingredient in a well-planned, wellmanaged auction event. Chapters 20 and 21 provide additional details and example materials essential to establishing sound event policies and procedures. Advance Program an advance program lists and describes auction items, raffles, and all the other exciting, fun activities of the event. this program goes to all potential attendees. it is among primary “invitations” proSome example language suggested in this chapter has been adapted from policies and procedures of Safari Club International (SCI), with permission, including sample language on bidding instructions and sales. Sidebar 6.1. Items to Include in an Advance Program...

Share