WHAT IS THE AUCTION AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? By Jeff Pazdalski

The auction is the most important fundraising event for our PTA, raising $30,000 last year. Traditionally, the auction generates 80-90% of the PTA budget for the following school year. The money raised helps our students and teachers and improves our school. In recent years, auction proceeds have helped:

- Improve our library collection

- Provide artists-in-residence for all our students

- Support overnight field trips and outdoor school for grades 5-8

- Create an interactive garden space on the school grounds

- Provide experts to design and teach a garden/outdoor curriculum for all grades that incorporated the garden space

- Purchase reusable cafeteria trays to replace disposable styrofoam trays, helping to keep more than 20,000 trays out of landfills last school year

I’ve never been to an auction. What happens at the event?

The auction is more than just an auction. Also included in the evening will be a great dinner (courtesy of Katering by Kurt, featuring the culinary skills of CSS parent Jason Chapman), a DJ, a raffle for an amazing prize, and lots of other fun. The evening’s tentative schedule is

5:30pm 6:00pm

Check in opens Silent auction, Raffle ticket sales begin. Pay-to-play sign- ups open Dinner Live auction begins Projected live auction end time/Check out opens Dancing ends

When you arrive you should check in at the registration table to get your bidder number. We suggest everyone get a number even if you aren’t planning on bidding for the big ticket items during the live auction. You need a number to bid during the silent auction and your number will allow you to purchase drinks and other items during the event without having to pay each time (sort of like your own CSS Auction credit card). After checking in you are free to enjoy drinks (everyone will receive free drink tickets when they check in), hors d’oeuvres, and the great company of the CSS community. There will also be a DJ playing music to get everyone in the spirit.

At 6pm the silent auction and the pay-to-play sign ups start (see below for more info on pay-to-plays) open. The silent auction features a wide variety of items for all tastes and price ranges. Great items are coming in every day, and you can browse the list of items at any time at https://css.schoolauction.net/auction2010/donation_items. The silent auction will probably be di- vided into 3 or 4 groups, with each group being open for bidding for 30-45 minutes.

7:15pm 8:00pm

After the silent auction we will enjoy a fantastic meal and then an auctioneer will lead a live auction for a small group of items. These items will include a variety of class projects and a select few other items.

9:00pm 11:00pm

The live auction should end between 9 and 9:30pm, at which time people can begin the check out process. After the live auction the DJ will again take center stage and play some great dance music for everyone to enjoy.

What is the menu for dinner? Are there vegetarian/vegan options?

The main course will be a fantastic chicken breast dish, and there will be vegan options offered (the main course alternative will be a vegan Greek style linguini).

How do a get my auction ticket?

Tickets are only $35 each (yes, that’s cheaper than last year). There are 3 primary ways to get your ticket:

- Buy them online at http://css.schoolauction.net/auction2010. This secure site accepts your credit card payment to make it easy to register.

- Pick up a form in the school office. Pick up a form, fill it out, and leave it in the auction box (Pam can show you where it is).

- Email me, Jeff Pazdalski (dad to Alina, 3rd grade), at jtpazdalski@comcast.net and I’ll help get you signed up.

Where is the Scottish Rite Hall?

The Scottish Rite Hall is located near PGE Park in SW Portland. The address is 1512 SW Morrison Street (it is also sometimes listed as 709 SW 15th Street, but we’ll be using the Morrison Street entrance). There is lots of on-street parking available and we will have some parking available in a lot across the street. Plus, it is only 2 blocks from the PGE Park MAX stop, so public transportation is a great option.

What are Pay-to-Plays?

Pay-to-plays are fun, social events hosted by CSS families. Your ticket to attend one of these events is to make a donation to CSS at the auction. Each pay-to-play party will specify the cost and the number of people that can attend. The prices generally range from $10-$50 per person, depending on the length and structure of the pay-to-play event. Some pay-to-plays are for adults, some are for kids, and some are for the whole family. We’re putting together a great list of pay-to-play events, and so far we’ve got a Mexican Fiesta (a Mexican themed dinner party), a wine tasting party, a kid’s soccer clinic, a euchre party, a pinochle party, and a Portland Amazing Race party. Some pay-to-plays fill up early, so we would suggest checking that table early for the best selection!

Get Involved Now

Come to an Auction Planning Meeting: Meetings will take place about every 2 weeks until the auction. Contact Jeff at jtpazdalski@comcast.net for the details of the next meeting.

Host a Pay to Play! Pay to Plays can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. Want to offer your ser- vices babysitting 2-3 kids for an evening? Ask families to pay $25 per kid, and you can raise $50 – $75 for CSS. Love to host parties? Throw a bash for 8, ask guests to pay $20 per person, and you’ll raise $160 for CSS! Pay to Plays are a lot of fun and a great way to build community with other parents and families. Contact Lisa Lyon (mom to Oliver, 3rd grade) to discuss an idea or sign up for your Pay to Play (503-236-7671 or lisankeith@yahoo.com).

Many hands make light work. It sounds obvious, but the key to a successful auction is having lots of interesting items to include in the auction packages. If each family helped by securing 1 or 2 items, the auction would be set for a great success. Do you or a friend have a creative outlet? Do you or a friend knit, make jewelry, cards, scrapbook, or enjoy some other craft or hobby? Do you happen to own a va- cation property or a timeshare? Do you work for a business that could make a donation or offer a tour or other experience? Do you have a relative that could help with one of the above? Can you help by asking all the businesses in a neighborhood to help (for example, SE Belmont, N Mississippi, NE Alberta, etc.)? Contact Jeff to get copies of request letters and everything you need to make this quick and easy.

Even small donations help! It all adds up to make a very special, fun event.

Why is this year’s auction called Floralia?

Floralia was an ancient Roman festival dedicated to Flora, their goddess of flowers and vegetation. The Romans wore colorful clothing and celebrated the festival with flowers and dancing. Floralia was held from April 27 to May 3, and was essentially an ancient May Day celebration. Since our auction falls on May 1st, or May Day, Floralia seemed an appropriate title, not only as a celebration of spring but also – since CSS was recently granted official school status by PPS – as a celebration of the blooming and growth of CSS.

If I’m getting a sitter, how late should I plan on having them stay?

It depends on how much dancing you want to do. If you check out immediately after the live auction, you can probably plan on leaving the hall between 9:30 and 10:00pm. The DJ will stop the music at 11:00pm.

Is there a dress code?

Nope. Some folks dress up a little and treat the auction as a night on the town, but that isn’t required. Wear what makes you comfortable and feels fun for the night.