By Mary Ann Grignon, Auction Coordinator
Come one come all to the PCB first ever virtual auction at the close of the 2020 PCB Conference and Convention on Sunday, October 25, 2020. The fun begins at 1:30 p.m. with an audio showcase of items up for bid. The auction itself will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. and will continue until all items are gone.
When you register for the 2020 PCB Conference and Convention, you are automatically registered for the auction. If for some reason, and I cannot imagine what that would be, you choose not to register for this year’s conference, but wish to attend the auction, you will have to register by noon on Sunday, the day of the auction. Individuals who do not register will not be allowed to bid on items. You can register by calling the PCB office at 717-920-9999 and either speaking directly with our Administrative Secretary, Christina or by leaving a clear voice mail with all necessary information. Alternately, you can register as a bidder by emailing pcboffice@pcb1.org. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and email address if available.
Have you or your chapter donated a prize yet? If you subscribe to the PCB-L, you should have received two installments listing ideas for prizes which could be ordered online and which can be shipped directly to the PCB office. As you know, because of COVID-19, we are unable to meet in person. No problem; we have that covered. This year, all donated items are to be shipped to the PCB office. The exception to this rule is any item baked at a donor’s home. In this case, we will send the baker the necessary funds to ship the baked goods directly to the winning bidder post-auction. Because all items are being shipped to the winning bidders, either from the PCB Office or from a talented baker, we are asking that donations follow this year’s auction theme, “Great Things Come in Small Packages,” so as to minimize shipping costs for all. As always, we appreciate electronics, gift cards, jewelry, bath and body items, guide dog supplies, baked goods and whatever your imagination can conjure up, just remember to keep the items small.
Items must be received in the PCB office by October 3, 2020 so that the auction team and other volunteers can prepare and deliver your auction item lists in your preferred formats. If you are a baker, and we sure do appreciate those baked goods, your items must be pledged by October 3 as well.
When pledging or donating an item, please email Tony Swartz at tbswartz@ptd.net. Please include the item description; the retail value if applicable; the donor’s name, mailing address, phone number and email address; and how and when it will be arriving in the PCB office.
Since this is PCB’s first ever virtual auction, you are probably wondering how things will work. Below is a brief list of a few things you should know about the process.
1. The auction, like the rest of the conference and convention will be held on the Zoom Platform.
2. There will be a pre-auction audio showcase of all items at 1:30 p.m.
3. As in past years, we ask that you remain as quiet as possible during the bidding process.
4. At the start of the bid for each item, a prerecorded description will be played, during which time participants interested in bidding on the item are to raise their hands. One of our technical team will unmute those bidders. Please remain quiet while the item description is read.
5. Once the auctioneer opens the bid, you should call out your name and your bid amount. Please be courteous to other bidders and allow the auctioneer to auctioneer.
6. If you no longer wish to bid on the item, we ask that you mute yourself so as to avoid any unnecessary background noise.
7. By winning the highest bid on an item, you are making a commitment to pay for the item. Payment will be collected by the PCB office post-auction on Monday. Payments accepted are credit or debit card, check, and money order. Please note, if you are paying by check or money order, the items purchased will not ship until the check or money order has been received and has cleared.
8. Items will be shipped by the PCB office as soon as is possible once payment is confirmed.
While this auction is somewhat different than past PCB auctions, it will be better than ever. This year, you don’t have to spend money on travel and such so you can bid, bid, bid! Just get comfortable in your own home, pour yourself a libation, and let’s have some fun fundraising for our great organization.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Ann Grignon at 570-807-1276 or email maryanna0407@gmail.com
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