| Without a doubt, my pet peeve during this economic | | | | larger scheme of life, they are doing well. |
| recession has been when the Executive Director, | | | | Every single person sitting in your benefit can afford to |
| Auction Chair, or some other person of importance | | | | make a donation to your cause. And instead of asking |
| gets up to the microphone to say a few words at the | | | | them to give heartily, you've just reminded them to |
| benefit auction (e.g. thank sponsors and guests, etc.) | | | | count their pennies. |
| and then - immediately before I walk onstage - pleads | | | | Instead, remind guests to count their blessings. |
| with the audience to "bid high, even though the | | | | Remind them of how they've got it easy. Remind them |
| economy is really bad right now." | | | | that we have all become so accustomed to our |
| Ugh! What are they doing?! | | | | luxuries (clean water ... cars ... electricity) that we tend |
| Remember this. You will never, ever, ever get more | | | | to forget that others around us may need a helping |
| money out of a group of people if you remind them of | | | | hand. Remind them of your mission. Remind them that |
| how bad they've got it. And besides, to whom is your | | | | they can be a hero to someone whom they'll likely |
| spokesperson speaking? | | | | never meet, but someone who will remember that |
| Consider your audience. No one sitting in your crowd | | | | generosity forever. Remind them that they have the |
| has it that bad. | | | | power to change a life. |
| - Some of your guests just paid $50 .. or $100 .. or | | | | But do NOT remind them that "times are tough" ... or |
| $250 ... or $500 to attend your benefit auction. In the | | | | that "people are losing their jobs" ... or that "it's a difficult |
| larger scheme of life, they are doing well. | | | | time to donate." This will not serve your mission. |
| - Some of your guests are sitting at their employer's | | | | Even if you tend to be a pessimist, you will better |
| sponsored table. In that case, we know they are | | | | serve your cause if you exude optimism. If you can't |
| employed. In the larger scheme of life, they are doing | | | | speak optimistically ... and your Executive Director can't |
| well. | | | | ... and your Development Director can't ... and your |
| - Some of your guests are sitting at their friend's table. | | | | Auction Chair can't ... than don't let anyone speak, |
| Their friend paid for their ticket. If their friend can afford | | | | except the auctioneer. Don't sabotage your auction |
| to buy multiple tickets, we will assume - by association | | | | before the auctioneer has a chance to work her |
| - that everyone at that table is financially stable. In the | | | | magic. |