Re: Silent Auction

[Karen Randall <krandall@world.std.com>]

At 06:33 AM 5/26/2000 -0400, Neil wrote:

>In Mary's defense, I think she is correct that we did talk about
>donations....and I did personally encourage her to choose an approach that
>was simple and workable for her. However, when I mentioned donations, I
>meant outside donations (like FAN). 

I must have misunderstood too.  I don't think I would have agreed to asking
hobbyists for donations without discussing it.  I think I thought what you
thought... that we were talking about commercial donations.

>We can avoid these problems in the
>future (particulary for important for the event) if we include the SC (at
>least one person) in the decisions.

Well, I've  been in pretty close touch with Charlene at every step, and it
didn't help in this case.  I didn't realize that this was an issue until
the same time you did.

>If the brochures were already printed, then it might be too late or too
>confusing to change the approach... although, like Karen said: we would be
>adding something. And it will certainly be easy on the web....even now.

>I still think we need DAMAGE control. It is known by some AGAers that we
>have a fat treasury and I feel VERY uncomfortable saying that we want our
>members to donate their plants. Especially when this is a small way they
>can offset expenses. 

We _don't_ really have that fat a treasury when you look at our expenses.
Certainly we are not in any financial difficulty, but I don't think the
amount we have on hand is excessive. 

>In fact, I would be happy to limit the number of
>entries to 10 and give them 80% or even 100% on the assumption that they
>will be bringing rare and unusual plants (as advertised). Anyone can choose
>to make it a donation.

I think that's excessive in the other direction.  Unless we want this this
to be a one-time thing, we _do_ need money.  ALL our speakers are being
asked to pay their own way.  All have said they will... this time.  Our
expenses could be much greater in the future.

>I appreciate hearing Karen's rationale about the banquet. I did not think
>about the required minimum no. of attendees. It helps to hear the discussion!

The problem is that half the time we say we are overwhelmed with E-mail and
issues, and the other half we want to know what's going on at every point
along the way.  Charlene has been in contact with me right along.  We have
discussed a number of issues as we've gone along.  My IMPRESSION was that
she was giving the brochure text to the MC for APPROVAL.  Do we really
_know_ that she has already had it printed?  I'm not at all sure that this
was the case.

Well, I just hobbled over to the telephone, and left a message for Charlene
to call me.  I'll let you all know whether the brochures are printed or not
after she calls back.  In the mean time, I'm going to lie dow again.  My
head hurts.

Karen
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