The entire auction thing is played.

The incessant emails with the donor parents boldly displayed to shame you into opening your wallet.

Then the auctioning off of the vacation homes to the swells and their pals.

Am I bitter? Absolutely not. I can buy and sell the lot of them but I am embarrassed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

I thought it was fantastic to have teenage students serving booze to increasingly intoxicated adults. No mixed messages there!

HA! I remember being in High School and working a "parent community party" (church not school affiliated) where we weren't serving but cleaning up/bussing cups, cans, etc. At 16 we all thought the mixed messages were ridiculous watching parents drive home. Granted pre-uber but still recommend not involving teens in that way based on my personal experience - we totally saw it for what it was...

“The history of auctions extends back to 500 B.C. when Herodotus reported the use of an auction. These auctions were for the purpose of selling women under the condition that they be married following purchase.“

Omicron has peaked in the NE. March or April could be a great time for a gala. I am really hoping ours stays in-person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

It’s also about building a community, something we have really missed the last couple years at our n-6.

Yep. We are probably at the same N-6. Would be nice to do at least some outdoor stuff this spring, as a whole school and also by grade. Whether on campus or organized privately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

It’s also about building a community, something we have really missed the last couple years at our n-6.

I saw STA had a raged around Halloween! Jealous.

Planned yo be outdoors in late spring but we will see if it happens or not. Already canceled everything planned for January and February.

I would love a parent party for our grade

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

I thought it was fantastic to have teenage students serving booze to increasingly intoxicated adults. No mixed messages there!

We were planning on an outdoor spring auction, but at this point shouldn’t we just plan to cancel it? There’s no way unless numbers are drastically down - and how can we know that will happen in time to plan such a large event?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

I'm the PP who said it was more fun. I'm not saying it's right, but it's more an observation on human nature - people are socializing, drinking, and bidding on items, so I think that psychologically, it may be a better way to solicit donations than just asking for money. I mean, if they didn't work, no one would ever have them, because they are so much work to put together.

It seems to me like an extension of regular fundraisers - selling wrapping paper, or cookies, or popcorn, or whatever, just on a bigger scale. People want to "get" something for their money, and yes, they may also be willing to just donate, but an auction is a supplement to that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moved to late spring….do people really want to go to these things anymore? Seems sort of frivolous given all the is going on, even if it does raise money for scholarship funds…

Moved to spring - I also always thought it seemed kind of frivolous (although not really any more now than before), but for some smaller schools, it can really be a very important fundraiser. And it's more "fun" than just donating money. Do people want to go? I kind of do - it's been hard enough to connect with anyone the past 2 years, so if things have improved pandemically speaking by spring, then yes, I'll for sure be there.

I completely understand this, but itjust seems sort of tone deaf to me- things have to be "fun" for the rich parents to donate money? Can't you just donate and not have an event that might inadvertently spread a virus that everyone is freaking out about? I mean I guess if you think that once you're vaccinated, life goes on, then sure, have a scholarship auction.

The whole idea of an auction seems really archaic and gross in a lot of ways- not that I have any real suggestions for replacing it, other than full participation in the school fund....

Schools if you’re reading this I am voting to please cancel the in-person auction/gala. I’ll gladly write a check to bid on something virtually but have zero interest in gathering. Continuing the planning process seems like a waste of money that could be used elsewhere. Thank you.