P3D NSA Auction

["Andrea Blair" <asblair@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Seriously...

For those who may not realize, an auction is only one of the ways a 
group can raise money. It offers a fun alternative to just writing out a 
check and handing it over. This is not saying that a straight donation 
is not appreciated; it is, very much so. As someone who has coordinated 
activities and events for several groups, auctions, "rummage sales," 
raffles, etc. are not *necessary*, but they encourage participation. 
Sometimes it only takes the chance of winning a prize to encourage $10 
from someone who may not normally donate. Recently at a seminar I 
coordinated in Washington, DC for our local camera club council, we had 
a raffle with lots of nice prizes donated by manufacturers. We raised an 
extra $250 that we would not have gotten if we relied on people to make 
donations. A local club I belonged to used to have a 50/50 raffle every 
meeting. This raised small, but important amounts of money to help run 
the club. Auctions and such are not for massaging people's egos; they 
are for raising money for a worthy cause. I have never personally seen 
anyone donate their work for the sheer joy of seeing people *fight* over 
it. And the point is not how much an item is worth, or how much you can 
get it for normally. These activities are like all other activities - 
you have a choice to participate. If you don't want to participate, 
don't spoil it for someone else. Just write your check out and send it 
in; I'm sure the treasurer will be happy to deposit it.

Thank you for your time. Now back to our regularly scheduled 3-D topics.

Andrea S. Blair
asblair@xxxxxxxxxxx

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