First off on our program today was the Final Report from our 2020 Online Auction, presented by committee chair, Neil Swayze.
Here is some data re the items and bidders this year compared to last:
Number of Auction Items Sold 151 224
Return on Market Value 74% 39%
Number of Kitchener Bidders 171 137
Number of Kitchener Sponsors 11+4 6+4
Our profits were up again this year:
Total Revenue $26,264
Expenses 5,206
Profit $21,058
In the six years we have been operating the auction our accumulated profit is $71,689.
Member participation was strong again this year.
What worked particularly well this year. . .
- Improved look of website and new logo
- Improved marketing on social media (Facebook & Instagram)
- Digital “fillable” Request Letter and Donor & Sponsor Forms
- Sign distribution from single location and date
- Data entry forms shared among 6 committee members
- Central spread sheet to track items as entered
- Kitchener exchange of items (2 trips)
- Many bidders paid the credit card fee
- Ability to identify email audiences by tags and location
- Use of two storage lockers for distribution
- Bidder able to select location and time for pick up
- “Curbside” pick-up of items at warehouse on distribution day (Friday 2 to 5 / Saturday 9 to 4)
What are our Challenges / Improvements for next year . . .
- Show multiples of same item only once
- More stringent criteria for “vintage” items
- Review proxy bidding – pros and cons
- Allow bidders to request mailing of gift certificates for a small fee
- Minimum expiry date of 6 months
- Ensure descriptions are complete and accurate (e.g. size, condition, etc.)
- Change bid increments for items $25 and less
- Need more time to prepare for pick-up
Next up was a little bit of fun and information to recognize Robbie Burns day, today
In her best Scottish accent (which is actually quite good) President Louise read an official Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns:
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang ‘s my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o’ need,
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see Rustic-labour dight,
An’ cut ye up wi’ ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
Bethankit hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner,
Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro’ bluidy flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll make it whissle;
An’ legs, an’ arms, an’ heads will sned,
Like taps o’ thrissle.
Ye Pow’rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o’ fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer,
Gie her a Haggis!
President Louise has a “bit” of a Scottish background (albeit a vicarious one) and shared some personal information:
- My dad Gaston Brazeau was known as Gus McBrazzeau
- Born 1927 in Montreal, he played for the Black Watch Pipe band there then The Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band from St Catherines ON
- The band won the World Championship in Edinburgh Scotland in 1974 - both my dad Gus (tenor drummer) and my brother Rob (side drummer) played in the band - my brother was 16 years old
- I spent many summers at Highland games all over Ontario.
- I learned to do the Highland Fling and the Sword Dance but never competed.
- Quite the Scottish history for a French Canadian girl!