Rotary seeks 2016 auction partners
PRESQUE ISLE —The Presque Isle Rotary Club is putting out the call to area charities and nonprofit organizations interested in partnering on the 69th Annual Rotary Auction.
Although the annual signature fundraiser will not take place until Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 1, the deadline for groups interested in partnership funding to support their worthwhile projects is fast approaching: March 25.
Over nearly seven decades, the auction has become a community tradition, raising millions of dollars for numerous causes that, in turn, have enhanced the lives of many across The County. The live television broadcast of the auction is aired statewide to all households subscribing to Time Warner Cable, which provides significant visibility to the Rotary Club and partner organizations receiving proceeds.
“We are looking for area charity and nonprofit organizations who are undertaking projects that will benefit the community or have special needs that will help them better meet their mission to serve others,” said Rotarian Mandy Pooler-Hall. “Our Rotary Club, working collaboratively with the organizations selected, will use the auction as a platform to raise funds and awareness for the groups and their initiatives.”
She and fellow Rotarian Jason Parent are serving as co-chairs for this year’s auction. As in years past, two types of partners will benefit from collaboration on the auction: regular auction proceed partners and the special project partner. Regular auction projects are funded, in partnership with organizations selected, through general auction proceeds.
The one cause awarded special project partner status annually is funded through a collaborative solicitation of direct community member donations made during the auction. Typically, the goal for the special project is to raise between $20,000, and $25,000 for larger community projects.
Partner organization projects will be selected based on: their benefit to the community; total cost of the project, amount of funding requested, and availability of other funding mechanisms; sustainability of the organization’s funding model; and nature of the request. Auction proceeds have typically been used for capital or special spending projects rather than ongoing organizational operating funds.
Groups applying and considered for special project partner status will present to the Rotary Club before a recommendation is made to the Board of Directors and full membership. Changes to the partnership agreement this year will allow for more collaboration between the respective groups and the Rotary Club and will provide opportunity and incentive for the partner organizations to raise additional funds through the auction.
“We are looking for six regular auction proceed partners that would each be provided a base of $2,500 to support their projects. In addition, each partner group will be asked to solicit items, aside from those collected by Rotarians, to be auctioned during the broadcast. A percentage of the net proceeds raised from the items by the respective groups will be added to their total,” said Parent.
The regular partners will also be featured in the auction broadcast. During each three-hour evening telecast, one half-hour will be dedicated to a respective group, starting with the airing of a produced vignette on the organization and the funded project. A representative of the group will also take part in the live broadcast during their half-hour and have a volunteer taking bids alongside Rotarians.
“We look forward to working in partnership with wonderful area nonprofit organizations helping to fund projects that will improve the lives of our friends and neighbors,” Pooler-Hall said. “We are in full planning mode and promise another exciting auction this year. The club could not successfully complete this enormous task without the support of donors, viewers, listeners, and bidders.”
Through last year’s auction, the club raised almost $40,000 for multiple organizations and charitable causes including Grace Interfaith Food Table, Presque Isle Historical Society, St. Apollonia Dental Clinic, Presque Isle Snowmobile Club, Aroostook Autism Support Group, Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery and the Presque Isle Fire Department. The auction had a very successful special project, doubling its goal and raising $50,000 for the Quoggy Jo Ski Center.
Application forms for prospective partners may be downloaded from www.PresqueIsleRotary.org or obtained from Pooler-Hall or Parent. Questions regarding the application process, partnership arrangement or special project consideration can be directed to Pooler-Hall at mpooler05@gmail.com or Parent at jparent@acap-me.org.
