Peter Legge - Motivation From A High Profile Speaker

I was recently hired on as the Event Coordinator for the Trinity Western University 3rd Annual Entrepreneurial Forum in which Peter Legge was the guest speaker. Peter is an international best-selling author and speaker as well as the President and CEO of Canada Wide Magazines & Communications. Peter's speech was based on how to make your life a masterpiece, and was well received by an audience of 400 people. I was particularly motivated by Peter's segment regarding his personal Olympic dream. He wants to be the emcee for the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, but there is a glitch, he is not bilingual. This however, was just a technicality, and it didn't stop Peter from trying to reach his Olympic goal. He hired a producer and put together a video with him speaking English and his daughter speaking French. Peter presented the video to one member of the Olympic Committee and has been asked to present it to the rest of the committee. Peter and his daughter may be the first father/daughter team in history to open the Olympic Games. How's that for taking a negative and turning it into a positive? Talk about motivation!!

Silent and Live Auctions ... Do Organizers Require A Licence?

In British Columbia, Canada, a licence is not required when holding a live or silent auction. Unlike raffles and 50/50 draws, live and silent auctions are not considered a "game of chance," therefore, a licence is not required. This regulation may vary in other parts of the world so I suggest you contact your local Gaming Commission for rules and regulations in your area.

BC Lions Create A "Buzz" At Fundraising Event

If you are fortunate enough to have a connection with a local hero or celebrity, take the opportunity to invite them to your fundraising event. Not only will their presence create a positive "buzz," your guests will be thrilled at the prospect of getting an autograph from someone they admire. Titans Football was fortunate enough to have coaches and players from the BC Lions attend their fundraiser last week, and believe me, their presence created at huge buzz! Here I am pictured with Dave Dickenson, quarterback for the BC Lions!

Utilizing Silent Auction Space

This photograph was taken to emphasize the importance of space utilization when setting up silent auction displays. Candle holders screwed into the wall became "hooks" to hang rugby shirts and a jacket. The bid sheets were stapled to cardboard and string was used to hang the bid sheet in front of the item. (Note: when displaying clothing it is best to hang items as opposed to having them folded on a table. Items are more easily viewed when hung, and you won't be left with a rumpled heap of clothing on the auction table!) In this photograph, instead of using tables, we utilized benches that were permanently attached to the walls. All the bid sheets were stapled onto cardboard because the benches were soft cushioned. Use your imagination when placing auction items - utilize anything and everything that will aid in properly displaying your auction items!

Prospera Credit Union - Corporate Sponsor!

It's always a good idea to offer corporate tables at your fundraising event. Titans Football sells tickets on an individual basis and also offers corporate tables at $1,000.00 per table. Prospera Credit Union has been a corporate sponsor for the past three years and their staff always look forward to attending the fundraising event. The $1,000 corporate package includes dinner for six people, a specially decorated table, public recognition at the fundraiser, a special mention in the "Program of the Evening's Events," signage and special mention at all Titans home games, recognition on the Titans website and a group picture. This year Prospera purchased a corporate table plus seven individual tickets in order to accommodate all their staff! The above picture was taken with the Prospera staff as well as Dave Ritchie, Wally Buono, Josh Boden, Rob Murphy, Gino Guidugli, Dave Dickenson and Kelly Bates of the BC Lions. When businesses like Prospera Credit Union become a corporate sponsor they not only receive good advertising, they also promote good will. Corporate tables are obviously a win-win for everyone!

White Rock South Surrey Minor Football Fundraiser - A Huge Success!

White Rock South Surrey Minor Football, known throughout the community as "Titans Football," hosted their annual fundraiser on September 19th. The event was a huge success, and over the next couple of days I will provide you with an overview and pictures of the event. I will also suggest some money-making games that are easy to organize and fun to play, as well as a list of live auction items that generated great money!

Spinnaker Recording Session - The Final Outcome!

When I originally wrote the posting about the Spinnaker Sound recording session, I thought it would make a great live auction item if we included a BC Lion in the package. At that point in time we had no other live auction donations, but as we neared the day of the event, we ended up with some amazing items that would be of greater interest to the crowd. In the end, I opted to put the recording session certificate in the silent auction. There was only one person remotely interested in the certificate and she had no competition in the bidding process. This crowd wasn't the least bit interested in a recording session or any of the art work that had been donated -- they wanted signed jerseys, football tickets and dinner with the BC Lions offensive line! Not only that, the Lions we talked to were not eager to participate in a recording session -- they did, however, jump at the opportunity to participate in a one-day training session with the SWAT team! Use your best judgement when deciding on live and silent auction items. Since you never really know what people will bid on, select the "big ticket" items for your live auction and put the remainder of the items in the silent auction.

Recording Session - A Great Auction Item!

Who would have thought that someone would donate a recording session as an auction item? Spinnaker Sound thought it was a good idea and so did I. The winning bidder is entitled to a recording session where their vocals are recorded over a karaoke track -- they get to pick their own song and bring their friends along too! How much fun is that?? The retail value of this item is $1,500 and I plan on utilizing it in my live auction. I'm thinking of adding a BC Lion to this package -- there has to be someone on that team who can sing! The fundraising event is coming up on September 19th so I'll let you know how this track pans out -- be sure to "tune in" for the results!

BC Lions Players To Attend Titans Fundraiser

Would you like to meet some of your favorite BC Lions up close and personal? I'm organizing a silent auction fundraiser on behalf of Titans Football, and a host of BC Lions will be in attendance! Shake hands and get an autograph from players such as Mark Washington, Sherko Haji-Rasouli (all 6' 6" & 326 lbs of him!), Angus Reid and Josh Boden. Head Coach Wally Buono will also be there to meet, greet and bid on auction items!

Dave Dickenson may be injured but he'll be at the Titans fundraiser! Email me at pearson_karen@yahoo.com for more information on the September 19, 2007 Silent Auction Fundraiser. You'll need a ticket to get in on this action, and with limited seating, tickets are selling fast!

It Only Takes One Person To Make A Difference ... Could That Person Be You?

A horrendous storm washed hundreds of starfish up on the land. They were so far from the shore there was no hope of the starfish returning to the sea. A young girl walking down the beach began picking the starfish up one-by-one, carefully placing them back in the water. An older man watched the girl for a while and finally approached her.
“What are you doing?” the man asked.
“I’m saving the starfish,” the girl replied.
“There are too many starfish,” the man said, “you can’t possibly make a difference.”
The young girl picked up another starfish and put it back in the water. She looked up at the man and said, “It made a difference for that one.” - Author Unknown

Give Back and Raise Your Company Profile

One sure fire way of raising your company’s profile is to give back to the community. By donating to a worthy cause you will not only create awareness for your business, you will gain respect from the public. Hosting a silent auction fundraisier is an excellent way to build business relationships and make new contacts. Canvassing for auction items opens the door to new opportunities, products and ideas. The next time your company is planning an occasion be sure to consider the benefits of hosting a silent auction fundraiser. Raise money for the charity of your choice and raise your business profile at the same time—giving back to the community is a real win-win!

Eliminate Fundraising Fatigue!

Too much fundraising takes its toll on both the volunteers who are selling and the family or friends who are buying! Food, candle and coffee sales are becoming passé and many organizations are experiencing fundraising fatigue. One way to eliminate fundraising fatigue is to organize a silent auction fundraiser. Silent and live auctions can be incorporated into a golf tournament, car rally, pub night, sock hop, or concert. Select an event that is of interest to your group and organize a fundraiser that is both profitable and fun!

Where Are All Those Volunteers?

Although most people’s intentions are good, it’s often difficult to find help when organizing a fundraiser. Let everyone in your organization know you are planning a fundraising event and indicate that you will require assistance. You will find that most people end up helping out in numerous ways, but first you have to get them into your clutches! I’ve been in a position where I have had very little or no help at all and pulled off the event on my own. If you are passionate about what you are doing, it can be achieved with very few people! If you already have a core group of volunteers, all you have to do is delegate, delegate, delegate! Your most valued assets are your volunteers. Always treat them with the respect they deserve.

Auction Items on Consignment

In the past, I have accepted auction items on consignment, although I do not highly recommend this idea. However! If the item is unusual, not easily obtainable, and has great potential to bring in good money―go ahead and offer it in your Live or Silent Auction. I once had a large, framed, signed “Tiger Woods” limited edition picture that was rare and hard to obtain. This piece was on consignment. After paying the owner his price, our organization did not make a lot of money off the picture, but the winning bidder went away very, very happy! In these cases, consignment items are definitely worth it! We like happy guests!

Gathering Silent Auction Items

Gather as many items as possible! Try to vary the costs with both high and low priced items so there is something in every price range. Try to find auction items that are different and/or unique. Make sure you have items that appeal to men, women and children. Auction items make great gifts for birthdays, Christmas and any other special occasion. People will pay far more for items if they are hard to obtain, unusual, or out of the ordinary! I had a “Power of Attorney” certificate up for bid in a silent auction and it went for $150. The woman who purchased the certificate was thrilled because she and her husband had been meaning to get around to that task for a long time. You never know what people need or what they will buy!

White Rock's Best Restaurant! Washington Avenue Grill

To date I have organized nine fundraisers for various organizations at the Washington Avenue Grill in White Rock, British Columbia. Brent Gray and his staff are very accommodating and the food is always great. If you live in the area or are visiting from afar, make sure you don't miss out on the fabulous ocean view from the Washington Avenue Grill!