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Silent Auction Review

As an intern with ABC non-profit organization I was given the opportunity to help with the facilitation of a silent auction at the Arabian horse show. The Arabian horse show takes place every year at a private residence in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was emphasized by my site supervisor that this event serves as a great opportunity to raise money and gain valuable contacts with some of Arizona’s most generous donors.

The host of the event allows our organization to conduct a silent auction on the grounds during the show. To facilitate the auction there are many tasks to be completed. One of the first tasks I was charged with was collecting donated items to sell at auction. With a list of past donors it was easy to find retailers and restaurants that were willing to donate. After collecting the items I was asked to determine a minimum bid, based on the wholesale price and the valued cost. I was also responsible for setting up at the actual event the day of. This included displaying the items on the tables, placing the bid sheets next to the corresponding item, and creating a booth for questions and money transactions.

The event was different than any I have attended so far. It was definitely an interesting experience. The free food, drinks and live entertainment helped the time pass as we waited for the time to come to determine the highest bidders. It was also nice to be able to mingle with the guests. Several attendees had questions about the organization and ways to get involved which was great for networking and recruitment. Overall the event went well. The auction was a success, and besides the chaos during the ten minutes after bidding was complete, it was very smooth. I learned a lot about knowing your customer, and making sure the items selected to sell at auction were in line with the theme of the event. I also gained valuable experience in networking and maintaining relationships with donors. Without these connections, charitable organizations cannot exist and I am excited to learn more about fostering relationships with our community partners.