Cohousing-L Mailing List: Please Donate Services and Goods to Benefit Auction at 2011 Nat'l Cohousing Conference

[Jennifer Ryan (jenniferryan]

Dear Cohousers,

 

We are writing to ask if you're willing to donate a product or service to
the Benefit Auction that will be a special feature of at the 2011 National
Cohousing Conference in June.  

 

We will be holding both a high-spirited Live Auction and a bargain-filled
Silent Auction. Both will conclude Saturday evening, and there are two ways
you can help make this a resounding success:

 

a) Donate to the auction--here are possibilities to consider:

.         Products (how about a jar of Aunt Polly's award-winning cherry
preserves, or a bottle of vintage wine).  This year we are featuring "Made
in Cohousing" items.

.         Art (maybe a silk batik, soapstone carving, or set of hand-turned
wooden bowls) 

.         Services (anything from a site plan review to a guided rock
climbing adventure; from financial planning to a Feng Shui consultation)

.         Gift certificates (check with local and national restaurants and
businesses, especially in the regions where lots of folks live or visit and
where there are many communities.)

.         Vacation opportunities (perhaps a weekend stay for two at your
picturesque home in a cohousing community or at your rich uncle's vacation
retreat).

 

Use your imagination! We'll decide which items are offered at the Live
Auction and which will be available at the Silent Auction. Even if you
aren't attending the conference, this is a great way to support cohousing.

 

b) Bring your wallet--there will be hot deals galore!

 

Proceeds will be shared between Cohousing/US and Fellowship for Intentional
Communities. Funds generated at the Benefit Auction help these organizations
support, encourage, and provide resources and programs to cohousing and
intentional communities.  As both organizations are 501(c)(3), the value of
your donated products or services can be treated as a tax deduction, and
we'll be happy to send you a letter of recognition to that effect.

 

We are expecting a boisterous crowd and this could be an easy way to promote
what you do or things you support, and at the same time help two great
networks finance more of their programs. It's an entertaining way to help us
help others find community.

 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the best way to offer
something, please contact Laird at your convenience. Here's what we'll need
from you to present your offering to best advantage:

 

1. A complete description of the product or service, including its retail
value (or best estimate).

 

2. If it's a service or usage, please give us an expiration date for how
long the offer is good. Generally, we suggest about a year, to expire at the
end of June 2012 or August 2012 . 

 

3. Your contact info, including phone number (in case the winning bidder
needs to contact you other than through email).

 

4. If it's a physical item, will you bring it with you to Washington or will
you ship it to the conference?

 

5. If it's not a physical item, do you have an electronic color image we can
use to promote the item, or perhaps a brochure describing it?

 

Thanks for considering lending a hand. We hope to see you in DC. 

Together we can have a good time and make a difference.

 

In cooperation,

 

Jennifer Ryan

Chair, Auction Committee for 2011 National Cohousing Conference

and

Laird Schaub

FIC Executive Secretary & Benefit Auction Solicitor

 <mailto:laird [at] ic.org> laird [at] ic.org

660-883-5545