Service Action Service Auction 2012 Help

Everything you want to know about but were afraid to ask…

What is the UUCF Service Auction?

The UUCF Service Auction is an annual fundraising event. UUCF members and local businesses donate goods and services that are sold in both silent and live auction formats to UUCF members and friends who attend the Auction. You may have attended similar functions to support your children’s school or another organization.

Many members will tell you that the Auction is also the biggest social event in the church year. We all gather in the social hall for an evening of food, drink and socializing. Our minister, Jon Dobrer, keeps us entertained as he leads the Live Auction.

Profits from the Service Auction support church programs throughout the year. Other than the annual pledge drive, the Auction is the biggest fundraiser for the UUCF budget. Last year’s Auction generated about 10% of the church’s operating income.

When is the UUCF Service Auction?

This year’s Auction will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 5 until 9 pm in the Social Hall. Dinner and the Silent Auction will begin at 5 pm. The Live Auction will be held from 6:30 until 8:30 pm, followed by dessert and checkout.

Childcare will be provided during the Live Auction. Early checkout is available, if needed.

The theme of this year’s Auction is Saddle Up! Wear your cowboy and cowgirl duds. The evening will feature: barbecue dinner, cowboy cocktails, and western music by our own HoUUse Band.

What if I can’t attend?
If you can’t be with us on Auction night, we will miss you. But, you can still participate! Your donated items can help us raise money. We can also find someone to place bids for you on items and events that you wouldn’t want to miss!

What can I donate?
You may donate goods and/or services to be sold at the Auction. Donated services might include providing work or hosting an event. Last year, about 45 events were donated by UUCF members. In addition to supporting the church financially, these events contribute significantly to UUCF social life.

Donated events may be simple or elaborate, for a large group or small. Examples of donated events include: meals, game nights (choose your favorite game - Charades, Balderdash, Scrabble, or poker, to name a few), bike rides, picnics, pool parties, etc. Members often collaborate to host events. Maybe you have a big house and yard, but don’t cook, or vice versa. Talk to your UUCF friends and put something together!

Examples of service donations include: handyman, gardening, sewing, child care, computer help, transportation, teaching a skill, tutoring, music recitals, etc. Be creative! Any ability that you have could be useful to someone else.

Examples of donated goods include: jewelry, small household items, collectibles or restaurant gift certificates. Please keep in mind that donated items should be new or in excellent condition. We ask that each item have a value of at least $20. As a rule of thumb - ask yourself if you would give the item as a gift. If your answer is yes, it is probably a good auction donation. If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate for the Auction, please ask.

Items that you have made yourself are especially appreciated. These may include: jewelry, baked goods, greeting cards, artwork, craft items, etc. Items may be already made and displayed at the Auction, or may be completed at a later date. Last year, Lou Arnwine donated a Cookie-of-the-Month club and delivers the cookies on the first Sunday of each month. Barbara Keller, on the other hand, brought her Bittersweet Chocolate sauce on Auction day so that the winners could enjoy it right away. Whichever best suits your schedule and your particular donation is fine.

For donation ideas, please ask Cathy Boon or your member donation contact person.

How do I make a donation?
Within the next few weeks, a member will be contacting you about donating to the Auction. This contact person can help you with donation ideas and with submitting donation forms. Each donation form includes the following information:

• Your name
• Your phone number
• Donation name
• Donation detailed description
• Date (as appropriate). It is best to include a date for your event. In this way, we can avoid schedule conflicts and bidders can be sure that they will be able to attend.
• Number of items – The number of identical items or guests at an event that you are donating.
• Value (per unit) – The value is required for tax purposes.
• Suggested minimum bid (optional) – You may choose to suggest a minimum bid for this item. The Auction team may adjust the minimum bid, as they see fit.

There are several ways to submit your donation forms. Your contact person can take the information and submit a form for you. Your contact person can provide you with a blank Word document that you can fill in and return via e-mail. Or you may go to www.uufullerton.org, click on News and Events, then Newsletters. At the right side of the Newsletters page, you will see a link to the Auction donation form. Complete the form and click the ‘Submit’ button.

When do I make donations?
We need to know about your donations before Auction day so that we can organize the Auction booklet, display tables, and computer database. We will remind you of the donation deadline as it approaches. You can help us greatly by submitting your donation forms early and not waiting until the last minute.

Bring donated items to the Social Hall between 3 and 4:30 pm on Auction day. There will be volunteers to accept your items and arrange them on the display tables. Thank you in advance to bring your items during this time. Please do not bring items beforehand, nor bring them with you at 5 pm.

How can I support the UUCF Service Auction?

• ATTEND the event on Saturday, February 19, 2011
• Mark the date on your calendars. Join us for an evening of food, drink, and socializing with your UUCF friends!
• BID!
• Every purchase, large or small, helps to make the Service Auction a great success!
• If you can’t attend the Auction, we can find someone to bid in your place.
• DONATE goods and services
• Use your imagination!
• Host an event in your home or a public place
• Provide a service
• Handcraft an item
• Provide an new or gently used item
• Solicit a donation from a favorite local business
• Loan us your PC or high-speed printer for Auction day
• VOLUNTEER - There’s a task for everyone!
• Any availability - a few minutes or many hours
• Any time – now through Auction day and after
• Any ability – artistic, clerical, computer help, running errands, shopping, set-up, clean-up…
• People-oriented or behind-the-scenes
• Key positions available include:
• Publicity
• Member donations team leader
• Member donations contact person
• Registration
• Chairperson-in-training
• Please contact:
• Cathy Boon (please see directory for contact information)