Silent Auction | StoaUSA

MOBILE SILENT AUCTION

WHAT IS STOA'S SILENT AUCTION? (Formerly NITOC Silent Auction)

Stoa's Silent Auction is going mobile! Moving the Auction online is a fun way for Stoa members, alumni, and supporters to "Invest in Stoa." A silent auction is a type of charity event where participants peruse donated items up for auction. More specifically, we use excellent auction software that allows you to bid on items, and you have the option for the system to auto-bid for you up to a specific amount.

DONATIONS

Every good auction needs items to bid on, and we are hoping you can help us procure them now. "Showcase Items" are what bring bidders to the auction (vacation travel, Disney tickets, celebrity meetings, etc.). With that said, all donated goods, services, experiences, or items are welcome to support Stoa. See Step 1 to donate.

AUCTION ITEM IDEAS

STEP 1: DONATE

After you have procured an item (from someone else or a vendor) or would like to donate something yourself, a donation form needs to be completed for each item. Please provide a link to our donation form for a procured item or complete the form yourself. This form is used to communicate information about the item and donor. Later, it will be used to create the item posting and donor receipt.

DONATIONS CURRENTLY OPEN

STEP 2: SEND

1. Digital items such as passes, tickets, certificates, and the like should be emailed to stephanie@stoausa.org. Stoa will email these items to the winner.

2. Physical Items should kept by the donor, and Stoa will contact you with the winner's shipping information. If you have a question regarding shipping or would like us to ship for you, please contact stephanie@stoausa.org

STEP 3: START BIDDING

When the mobile auction opens (check the date, time, and link in the Stoa Byte), start perusing items and have fun bidding while supporting Stoa. Regarding experiences, don't forget to consider these in areas where you have family, you may be vacationing, or looking for fun times near our NITOC tournament.

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please email stephanie@stoausa.org

The Silent Auction has become an annual event that brings together members, alumni, supporters, sponsors, and friends to celebrate community and fellowship. The Silent Auction proceeds to help fund Stoa today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

SILENT AUCTION FAQ

HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT TO PROCURE FOR THE AUCTION?

Do I own - (or someone you know) -

A cabin, time-share, VRBO/Airbnb, season tickets (sports, the arts, zoos, museums, etc.), a pair of tickets, etc.

Do I have -

The ability to knit, sew, bake, scrapbook, paint or draw, teach a cake decorating or cooking class. What passion or ability do you, family or friends have that you can share with someone else? You can teach locally (if possible) or via Zoom.

Do I visit –

Shop at a store all the time that you can ask for a donation? Does your family take a vacation at the same place every year? Do you enjoy a particular restaurant, shop in a specific boutique or hardware store? Most businesses have a giving budget and are interested in supporting their loyal customers and the local community. Start by asking what the procedure is for requesting a donation. This opens the subject in a non-pushy way.

Take a Procurement Letter and Procurement Form with you (get that here). The letter helps to introduce Stoa to the business and is the official support behind your request. The form allows the business to complete the paperwork when putting their donation together.

Do I know –

Someone famous – in government, in business, a singer, movie star, a local TV personality? Ask if they will donate a lunch, an autograph or a piece of memorabilia, a tour, or tickets to see them perform. Or, maybe you know someone who has access to a special place or experience that would make a great auction item.

Do I need –

More inspiration? Additional ideas, click here. See what is selling on Etsy and Groupon to get your creativity going.

HOW DO I ASK FOR A DONATION?

Before you approach a business or even a family, know what you are talking about. Be ready to tell the potential donor about Stoa and the Silent Auction. Be confident and upbeat and practice before you start.

Stoa Bio:
The ability to knit, sew, bake, scrapbook, paint or draw, teach a cake decorating or cooking class. What passion or ability do you, family or friends have that you can share with someone else? You can teach locally (if possible) or via Zoom.

Auction Facts:
The Silent Auction will be held on May 24th and 25th at our National Invitational Tournament of Champions (NITOC) hosted by Concordia University. Bidders come from all over the country, and items will be displayed in national and regional sections. Your donation will reach the right bidder!

Stoa Mission Statement:
To develop and train Christian homeschool students to become world-class communicators who speak boldly and change the world for Christ.

FOR STUDENTS REQUESTING DONATIONS:
Student: Is the manager in today or another person who I can talk to about an auction donation? My name is __________ and I participate in Stoa which is a national speech and debate league for Christian homeschooled youth.

Donate ____________ if you have something specific in mind (soccer ball)
Donate a gift card

FOR PARENTS REQUESTING DONATIONS:

Parent: What is your procedure for requesting items or a gift card for donations? (you can add: “Do I submit paperwork to your store or is there a corporate office (if part of a chain)?”

“What is your procedure for requesting an auction donation?” Is there a specific person I need to contact?”

“Hello, my son’s speech and debate league is holding a Silent Auction and I would like to know who I might talk to about a donation.”

If need be follow-up- “I’d be happy to call back/come back when ________ will be available. What is the best time of day to call or come in?”

When you are speaking to the correct person-

Bill, my name is _________. I am the parent of a student who participates in a Christian homeschool speech and debate league. Our auction is in May and I’d like to know if you would be willing to donate “X” (a dinner for two, weekend getaway, movie passes, gift certificate, etc.) for the event.”

If YES- “Thank you! What sort of paperwork do you need from me? Thank you very much for your contribution, we really appreciate it.
- Procurement Letter is found here.
- Procurement Form can be printed here.
- There is also a Procurement Online Form found here.

TIPS:

If you get voicemail and leave a message, be sure to follow up in a couple of days if you don’t hear back. Keep a list of businesses you called and response/donation.
Be prepared to be told no – not everyone can give, not everyone will give. Thank them, smile and move on.

How to ask in an Email?

Here are some ideas to start a donation Email:

I recently visited your shop and enjoyed the products you have….
I read an article about all the activities your resort offers, what a beautiful location for a vacation …
I regularly shop/dine at your _____________ and enjoy supporting your business….

Continue the Email:

Word your donation request to highlight Stoa’s strengths; draw upon your student’s experience in Stoa and how your student has benefitted from being in Stoa. Illustrate what their donation will be supporting.

HOW DO ITEMS GET TO NITOC AND WHEN ARE THEY DUE?

Ship them:
If you cannot bring the item with you, larger items can be shipped to:

Silent Auction Coordinator, 20912 Northeast 117 Street, Redmond, WA 98053

Due AT shipped address no later than May 9th

Travel with them:

If you bring items that are suitable for travel (by car, air), please bring them with you to Student Registration at NITOC. Members of the Fundraising Committee will be there to collect your item(s).

Due at NITOC Student Registration

I'M DONATING A NON-PHYSICAL ITEM, WHAT DO I DO?

These items are usually experiences at a personal cabin or VRBO; or lessons, classes, etc., given by an individual.

The donor is welcome to create a certificate that will be on display at the auction. The donor can either email it to stephanie@stoausa.org or bring it to Student Registration at NITOC.

The donor can request that Stoa creates a certificate on behalf of the donor to be on display.
- The winning bidder will receive the certificate that will contain information on how to obtain tickets, make reservations, set a date for a class, etc., along with donor contact information to coordinate

I need to create a certificate for an item I donated. What do I put on it?

Give it a title, what is the item? Include a picture or logo if possible
How to redeem, schedule, make reservations, etc. to use the item (email, call, get tickets in the mail, etc.)
If an event or vacation, dates that the activity is available (ex: cabin is available from August to December) and the duration (ex: 7 days in a ski cabin) and if there is a choice of dates (ex: choose between Jun1-4 or October 15-18).
Donor information so the winning bidder can contact them to schedule/redeem.
Rules – Must be redeemed by, are pets permitted, age limits (such as everyone over 25 years old at least one person is 25 years old), non-smoking, etc.

CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE

MOBILE SILENT AUCTION

WHAT IS STOA'S SILENT AUCTION? (Formerly NITOC Silent Auction)

DONATIONS

STEP 1: DONATE

STEP 2: SEND

STEP 3: START BIDDING

ANY QUESTIONS?

SILENT AUCTION FAQ

HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT TO PROCURE FOR THE AUCTION?

HOW DO I ASK FOR A DONATION?

FOR PARENTS REQUESTING DONATIONS:

TIPS:

If you get voicemail and leave a message, be sure to follow up in a couple of days if you don’t hear back. Keep a list of businesses you called and response/donation.

Be prepared to be told no – not everyone can give, not everyone will give. Thank them, smile and move on.

How to ask in an Email?

HOW DO ITEMS GET TO NITOC AND WHEN ARE THEY DUE?

I'M DONATING A NON-PHYSICAL ITEM, WHAT DO I DO?

I HAVE PHOTOS OR PHYSICAL ITEMS FOR DISPLAY TO GO ALONG WITH MY DONATION.

WHAT IS MY AUCTION BIDDING NUMBER?

WHAT ARE THE AUCTION HOURS?

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I WON AN ITEM?

WHERE DO I PICK UP THE ITEMS THAT I SUCCESSFULLY BID ON?

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT WILL STOA ACCEPT?