Auction fundraising-for Pre-school?

[Anonymous]

My 3 year old DD just started preschool this year and I have been bombarded with flyers (and requests) about helping out with the spring fundraising auction. I have reservations because the women who are running the auction are very persistent. What's are these auctions all about and should I get involved? My husband says, no way, but I have a feeling it's the only way to be *in* at the school.

[Anonymous]

Psst - a secret: You don't have to be in the "in crowd" among the parents. It doesn't compromise your child's preschool experience. I promise. Later, you can do well by the school and your daughter without volunteering for the PTA. There are plenty of ways to help outside of that forum.

I think you should read "Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads." The author does go on, but I found that the book helped me a lot when I was:
a) feeling excluded by the "popular" mothers, and
b) feeling bad about being excluded.

[Anonymous]

Having been involved in the auction for my kids' independent school for many years, and heading it a couple of years ago, I have sympathy for those organizers! If you don't want to be involved, I agree with the PP, feel no pressure and spend your volunteer time elsewhere. Your three year old will have no idea and I'm sure there are lots of other ways to meet people at your school.

But if you do want to be more involved at school but you don't like the idea of working on the auction because in your mind is it's all asking for donations and that's not your thing--know that asking for donations is not many people's thing. There's lots to do in the auction that relates to any big party, i.e., finding the hall, decorations, running errands, finding supplies, caterer, DJ/sound system, helping with displays, art projects, etc. If that does sound more like your thing, you might enjoy it. I know that I have enjoyed the camaraderie and at the end, the satisfaction of having accomplished a big thing on behalf of my kids and their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3 year old DD just started preschool this year and I have been bombarded with flyers (and requests) about helping out with the spring fundraising auction. I have reservations because the women who are running the auction are very persistent. What's are these auctions all about and should I get involved? My husband says, no way, but I have a feeling it's the only way to be *in* at the school.

They're persistent because they're fundraisers. All fundraisers are like that. Not sure why that is making you feel wary. It's just the nature of the beast.

[Anonymous]

Former auction chair here...they are asking because they need help. Typically only a small group *will* help on the auction, I don't think it is an in-crowd thing. It is pretty much a thankless job, so if you are interested in helping, and you have the time, it is great to pitch in.

I met a lot of families that way and got to know the director of the school very well, but do not feel that it made me a "popular' mom at the school. Maybe even the opposite because people avoided me!

[Anonymous]

How is there an "in-crowd" among pre-school parents?
Are the popular parents the ones who are most involved in planning activities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: How is there an "in-crowd" among pre-school parents?
Are the popular parents the ones who are most involved in planning activities?

I don't know, but I sure wasn't part of it last year....there was clearly a group that all hung out together and seemed to make most of the decisions about things that were organized/initiated by the parents. Some of them were in fact on the parent board but others were not...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know, but I sure wasn't part of it last year....there was clearly a group that all hung out together and seemed to make most of the decisions about things that were organized/initiated by the parents. Some of them were in fact on the parent board but others were not...

Are they still speaking to each other???