Frequently Asked Questions for HWISPA Pre-Gala Silent Auction
Q: What is the HWISPA pre-gala silent auction?
A: The HWISPA pre-gala silent auction is an event organized by the HWISPA of New Jersey to raise funds for playground initiatives.
Q: When and where is the silent auction taking place?
A: The silent auction will be held from Feb 21st at 10:00 am to March 5th at 12:00 am. Join us at the bidding site here.
Q: How can I participate in the silent auction?
A: To participate, register on the gala site using your email address and credit card for bidding. You can use your email or choose a default username.
Q: How to bid?
A: Bidding starts at 50% of Fair Market Value, with bid increments between $5 and $30. Place a single bid or set an auto-bid with your maximum amount bid. You can also opt for instant purchases with the "buy now" option.
Q: What items are available for bidding at the pre-gala silent auction?
A: A variety of items are up for bidding, such as summer camps, private lessons, HWIS Swag, book club subscriptions, and a chance to be a "guest teacher for a day!"
Q: How will the winners be notified?
A: Winners will be notified post-March 5th, 2024.
Q: Who wins?
A: In case of the same bids, the earliest timestamped bid wins. Timestamps are set when the initial bid is placed.
Q: Why are there bids with the same amount?
A: Same bids are listed to show autobid prompts. For example, if John placed an autobid with maximum amount of $200 first and Jill later bids $200, John wins because he committed to the amount earlier than Jill. The list displays both bids to indicate the autobid prompt.
Q: How do I redeem the item?
A: Email the winning certificate to the donor or HWISPA Gala Committee for redemption.
Q: What is the expiration date for items?
A: Expiration dates vary per item, with some needing redemption before the end of the 2023-2024 school year or within one year of the HWISPA-NJ 2024 gala, expected by March 4th, 2025. Some items must be redeemed before Dec 1, 2024.
Q: Can I donate items for the silent auction?
A: Yes, donations are welcomed. To donate items, contact HWISPA-NJ-fundraising@hwis.org or fill out the form here.
Q: What is the difference between the pre-gala silent auction and the regular silent and live auction?
A: The pre-gala silent auction runs from 2/21 to 3/5, featuring summer camps and unique class experiences. The gala silent auction occurs leading up to and during the gala on 5/3, offering a variety of items. The live auction at the gala will exclusively present items for attendees during the event.
Q: How will the funds raised be used?
A: Proceeds from the silent auction will go towards upgrading our playground for the benefit of our students.