*The NEOA 2024 Conference is just 8 weeks away and it's time to start planning for an AWESOME SILENT AUCTION! * *If you plan to attend the 2024 NEOA Conference, a couple of things about the Silent Auction:* *1. DONATIONS: If you have an interest in donating an item to the auction such as a gift you received,(new) that you would like to unload, artwork, pottery, wood, glass or jewelry (new only),small home decorations, other, OR, if you would like to donate a gift certificate from a business that all conference goers can access, please contact us so we can put the item(s)you plan to donate on our list and get it ready for the auction. ***Also, if you have ties to a local business in your state but especially Vermont, we welcome locally made items. Please let us know what you have as well as the VALUE of each item. **Questions about items we accept? * *Contact:* * Linda Shiller Cormany shilcorm88@gmail.com <shilcorm88@gmail.com> ** 802-343-8135 or ** Rachelle Lappinen: rlappinen@massedco.org <rlappinen@massedco.org> * *NOTE THAT ITEMS SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF TUESDAY NIGHT OR EARLY WED. AM. CONTACT LINDA TO FIND OUT WHERE AND WHEN.* *2. VOLUNTEERING FOR A SHIFT: If you have some extra time at the conference and would like to donate a couple of hours, you can sign up for a 2 hour shift to assist with the auction. If you already registered for the conference BEFORE the option to volunteer was added to the registration page and you'd like to assist, please contact one of us to let us know.* *WHAT DO WE NEED?* - *Helping with setting up the auction Tues. night and/or Wed. morning* - *Working a shift DURING the auction greeting people as they check out the items and encourage them to bid, straightening up and making sure the bid sheets are in full view and in the correct location with the items.* - *Assisting with putting the items together in bags with the bid sheets attached at the end of the auction, and organizing them for easy pick up when the winners come to pay for their items. This happens when the auction ends on Thursday afternoon.* - *Helping with payment and "hand off" of the items to the winners on Thurs. PM and Friday AM.* *Once we have the full list of volunteers, we will reach out to you with a sign up sheet for the shifts needed.* *We appreciate all you can do to make the Silent Auction successful once again. You may have heard that all proceeds will go to support NEOA members like you who may need help funding professional development opportunities through the new Jerry Ellis Professional Development Fund.* *Thanks in advance for supporting the Silent Auction and increasing professional development opportunities for NEOA members!* *See you soon!* *Best,* *Linda and Rachelle*