Getting Involved with the Us TOO Online Auction

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Getting Involved with the Us TOO Online Auction
 
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Why do a fundraiser?

• To generate funds to carry out the Us TOO mission
• Provide resources to improve expand Us TOO
  services
• Us TOO has never had a national fundraising event
• Increase community awareness of local chapter
  services
• Potential to obtain new supporters, donors
• Increase national awareness of Us TOO mission,
  prostate cancer patient needs
• Opportunity to generate excitement within
  chapters local community

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Why do an Online Auction?

• Consumer comfort and familiarity with online
  shopping
• Consumer comfort and familiarity with online
  bidding via eBay
• Non-profits are successfully using the Internet
  to drive results in Fundraising, Outreach and
  Communications (eg. Katrina, tsunami relief)
• Dramatically more efficient, low-cost way to
  reach new constituents
• Execute quick, timely campaigns and events
• Average gift online is 25-100 higher
• Live special events are costly and time consuming
  for organizations with limited resources

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2006 Us TOO Online Auction Goals

• Increase amount of funding received from
  fundraising events
• Increase number of individuals donating to Us
  TOO
• Increase awareness of Us TOO mission
• Generate sense of excitement and fun!
• As per Us TOO Strategic Development Plan,
• Created May 26, 2004 by the Us TOO Board of
  Directors

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Where?

• www.ustooauction.cmarket.com
• Or follow links from
• www.ustoo.org

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AuctionWebsiteNow Open to view catalog
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When?

• Bidding begins the day after Memorial Day Weekend
  
• Tuesday, May 30th at 800 am ET
• Bidding ends the day after Fathers Day
• Monday, June 19th at 1159 pm ET
• Auction is open for a 3-week time period to bid,
  watch AND obtain more donated items
• Auction website is open NOW to view items!

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Seeking Donated Items!

• Items people are willing to buy
• Things or experiences
• Appeal to Everyone or Targeted Group (collectors)
• Appeal to men, women, children, young adults
• Unique, or tied to pop culture or celebrity
• From variety of geographic locations
• Not connected to a geographic location
• Need items

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Examples of Items Desired

• Digital cameras, cell phones, mp3 players
• Cooking items, kitchen utensils and appliances
• DVDs and music CDs, books
• Video games
• Childrens toys, strollers, etc.
• Gift baskets based on a theme (wine lovers, movie
  lovers, new baby, gardening, house warming, etc.)
• Tickets to sporting events, concerts or shows
• Have lunch with a famous person (get the lunch
  donated, too!)
• Week or weekend at your timeshare
• Handbags, watches
• Gift certificates for stores, professional
  services
• Collectibles or celebrity memorabilia

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Item Donations Collection

• Need for every item
• Photo
• Item description
• Price or fair market value
• Name of donor (if person wants recognition)
• Submit items either online from auction site
  using Donate an Item button, or use Item
  Donation Form from the Us TOO website
• Send item(s) and completed forms to Us TOO home
  office before May 19, 2006 if at all possible.
• Items will continue to be accepted through June
  16.

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How to view auction catalogand donate items
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Auction Watch View Featured Items
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Where to keep tabs on items of interest
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Auction Promotion Target Audience

• Us TOO website, HotSheet, NEWS You Can Use,
  Prostate Pointers, past donors and contacts
• Chapter network, Regional Directors and Board
• Us TOO corporate supporters and partners
• Ask item donors and Friends of Us TOO to contact
  their friends, coworkers, relatives about the
  auction and highlighted items
• Ask item donors and Friends of Us TOO to assist
  by contacting known individuals or groups with a
  strong interest in specific item

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Auction Promotion Communication Vehicles

• Emails
• Web site announcements
• Us TOO mailings
• Flyers posted in local community by Chapters
• Newspapers, Media
• Phone calls to friends, contacts supportive of
  cause

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Auction Promotion Viral Marketing

• Tell your personal and professional contacts
• Forward the emails Us TOO sends you, to your
  friends, family, coworkers, contacts
• On the auction website, use the Email this Page
  and Refer a Friend buttons
• Ask your friends to pass along the information to
• THEIR FRIENDS
• Looking for exponential reach to new contacts!

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Auction web site helps with promotions
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How Chapters Can Get Involved

• Promote auction dates with chapter members at
  meetings, in newsletter, on web site
• Seek item donations from members, personal
  friends, physicians, supporters, sponsors, local
  companies
• Have a contest to see who can donate the item
  that raises the most money
• Make an event of the event. Create a promotion
  PLAN prior to and during the entire 3 week event
  period to engage members and Friends of your
  chapter.

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How Chapters Can Get Involved, cont.

• Post signs where you meet, library, schools, work
  places, physician offices, hospitals, grocery
  stores, coffee shops, churches and synagogues.
  Post announcements in your chapter newsletter,
  create telephone trees, emails, etc.
• Contact local newspapers, periodicals, TV and
  radio stations about the event (Us TOO to provide
  press release in May)
• Talk to personal friends, relatives, coworkers,
  club members, religious affiliations,
  professional contacts about the auction,
  highlight items of interest

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Resources

• Visit the auction website at www.ustooauction.cmar
  ket.com
• Visit the Us TOO website auction information page
  for sample letters, flyers, sample press releases
  at www.ustoo.org
• Questions?
• Pam Barrett
• Us TOO Director of Development
• 630-795-1002
• pam_at_ustoo.org

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HAVE FUN!!

• Thank you for your support
• of this
• first national event for
• Us TOO International!