Wine and Cheese Social and Auction

Have you sent in your RSVP for the Issaquah Valley Elementary Wine and Cheese Social and Auction? If you have already reserved your seats, thank you and we look forward to seeing you on February 8. However, if you have the invitation sitting in a pile of Christmas cards, bills and other mail, maybe we can help. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions and answers from Kim Murphy and Karie Underwood, co-chairs of the Wine and Cheese Social and Auction.

1. It seems like auctions are a popular way to raise funds for schools, why has it been so long since IVE has had an auction?

IVE held a successful auction a few years ago to raise funds for the PTA and to help ensure we could build a new playground. Auctions are very labor intensive for our volunteer community so we try to balance this large undertaking and its potential rewards with our other fundraising efforts.

At this year's auction we will raise funds for existing PTA programs and we will also create a new technology development fund. An IVE technology fund will allow us to expand and enhance the use of technology in our school. In addition to raising funds, we have an additional goal of bringing the IVE parent community together with a social event.

2. Can you tell us a little more about the auction goal to raise funds for technology development at IVE?

As other Issaquah schools become more advanced technologically, we want to make sure IVE keeps up. One of the ways to do this is to create a technology fund that can provide grants for a variety of technology programs and projects at IVE. Upgrading our whiteboards to Activboards is an example of how those funds could be used.

3. We would appreciate a better understanding of the plans for the evening’s program. Is it a social hour followed by a live auction or is there also a silent auction?

The evening will begin with a silent auction which will include themed class baskets, staff experiences, and procured items. During the silent auction, we will also have a social hour with wine, cheese, and fruit. In addition, there will be an opportunity to view the class projects (live auction items) and see a demonstration of the ActivBoards. Once seated, we’ll have a Dessert Frenzy to kick off the live auction. Items in the live auction will include some Class Projects, Staff Experiences, and Fund-a-Need. We’ll also have some surprises along the way.

4. Can you tell me some of the items that will be auctioned off that evening?

Some of the themed Class Baskets include “Family Fun Night,” “Mom’s Day Off,” “Wine Cellar,” “A Day at the Zoo,” and “Just Add Fish.” A couple of the procured items include 2 tickets to a 2008 UW Home football game, and a Seafair Experience Summer Package. The Staff Experiences include being honorary principal for the day, an afternoon pajama and a pancake making party!

5. I understand that there will be an opportunity to “raise the paddle” during the auction. Can you explain what that is so that we are prepared when we come to the event?

“Raise the Paddle” refers to the Fund-a-Need portion of the auction. This is an opportunity for attendees to give a fixed dollar donation to the IVE PTA. A portion of the money raised during Fund-a-Need will allow us to create a technology fund and purchase Activboards for classrooms. Activboards are interactive whiteboards that were designed by teachers and engage kids on a whole new level. The boards, connected to a computer and projector, allow teachers to surf the Web in front of the whole class to illustrate a lesson -- playing video clips of science experiments, for example, or finding a map to show exactly where a battle took place for a history class.

6. OK, I have a sweet tooth but what about the “dessert frenzy”, that is not something I have experience with either.

The Dessert Frenzy is a fun way to kick off the auction. There will be a variety of scrumptious desserts created by parents and in some cases by professional chefs. Each table will be given 5 minutes to pool their money together to bid on a dessert. The table with the highest bid will have 30 seconds and first choice of the desserts. The next highest bidding table will get to choose next, and so on. There won’t be enough desserts for every table, so be sure to put in your most competitive bid!

7. We are new to the IVE community and looking to meet some new people. Do we need to list who we want to be seated with for the evening?

On the RSVP card that came with your invitation there was a place on the back for you to list other people you would like to be seated with. We will do our best to accommodate your request. However, you do not have to request a seating preference. We will seat you with others and by the time the evening is over you will have made some new friends!

8. We have a limited entertainment budget – especially after the holiday season. We are considering buying tickets (and getting a babysitter) and coming to meet other parents from school. What if we do not bid on any item or participate in the other fundraising events that night?

Our goals for the evening are to bring the parent community together in a social environment, and to raise funds for technology development. Even if you don’t leave with a physical item or participate in the other portions of the auction we would hope that you wouldn’t leave empty handed. We hope that you would have had an enjoyable time and had the opportunity to visit with old and new friends in a fun atmosphere.

9. We are unable to attend the auction, but we would like to support the goal of technology development. Where should we direct our donation?

On the RSVP card that accompanied the invitation there is an area to give a charitable donation. You can return your donation with the RSVP card.

10. My employer has a matching funds program for charitable contributions, how do we handle that?

You need to check with your individual employer for the appropriate way to submit for matching contributions. Some employers have a one page form to fill out, and some companies allow you to submit it online. In addition, we will have some company (Boeing, Microsoft) forms the evening of the auction to make things easier for you. You can always bring your form to the auction and we’ll help you fill it out.

11. Is it too late to volunteer to help?

It’s never too late to volunteer. As the auction draws near we are still in need of people to help with set-up and take-down the day of the auction. If you have other specialized skills that you would like to offer please let us know. If you’d like to volunteer please contact Kim Murphy at 425-313-0141, or kimberlymurphy66@hotmail.com.

We hope these FAQs helped provide you with the information you need to say “yes” to IVE’s Wine and Cheese Social and Auction. So go to that pile of mail and uncover your Auction RSVP card. Please return it by January 11 and join us for what is sure to be a memorable fun-filled event.

Please note that the RSVP deadline has been extended to January 25th.