2022 Service Auction Event
Northwoods is Out of this World
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW TO ATTEND:
IN PERSON: We are limited to 70 seats at the Auction, and seats are taken on a first come, first served basis. Capacity has been met and RSVP is closed.
ON ZOOM: The online event will take place using the Zoom video-conferencing platform. Use our custom URL to attend service: https://zoom.us/my/northwoodsuu or join by Meeting ID: 766 833 5778. RSVP to let us know if you plan to attend on Zoom.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN BIDDING AT THE SERVICE AUCTION:
How will bidding be conducted at this hybrid Service Auction?
This year we will use Auctria, an online auction website, for our Silent Auction, Sign-ups and for payment using debit or credit cards. During the Service Auction event you will use the Auctria website (or you can download the Auctria app to your phone or tablet) to make bids on Silent Auction items and sign up for parties and events.
Do I have to register with Auctria to bid or sign up?
We are using Auctria again this year for sign-ups and bidding.
If you have never used Auctria before: Download the app on your phone, or visit the website (auctria.events/outofthisworld) to register.
If you registered with the Auctria last year for the 2021 Home Sweet Home service auction event:
- If using the App: Sign in to the app. An orange box should appear on the screen that says “There is a newer event available: Northwoods is Out of This World.” Click the orange box and follow the instructions to register for this year’s event.
- If using the Auctria website: Go to the website (auctria.events/outofthisworld) and sign in. Click the “Register” button to register for this year’s event.
What about bidding on live auction items?
People attending in person at Northwoods will raise their numbered paddles as in the past. Paddles with numbers will be given to in-person attendees the night of the event. Those attending on Zoom will enter a bid in the chat. We have designated digital spotters in the room who will convey these bids to the auctioneer.
How do I get a bidder number/bidding paddle?
Since bidding will be done through the Auctria website, bidder numbers are not needed for sign ups or silent auction items. In-person attendees will receive a bidding paddle on the night of the event for the live auction. Zoom attendees will place bids in the Zoom chat for live auction items – they do not need a paddle or bidder number. Everyone (in person and Zoom attendees) will need to be registered with Auctria.
Should I sign up for my spouse/partner?
One person can purchase multiple spots for a sign up event. Since you can purchase multiple spots in sign up events, registering each bidding member of your family will allow you to divide and conquer during the sign up portion of the Service Auction. It is your choice if you choose to participate together or separately. Unless you both choose to pay later by check, you will pay separately. (The same card can be used.)
What if I don’t want to enter my credit card information with Auctria?
When you register, you can choose to enter your credit card information later. Enter your name and contact information, then click on “Continue to Register Card.” When you are on the card registration page, click “Skip this Step.”
What if I want to pay by cash or check?
Payments can still be made by cash or check. Checks can be mailed to our PO box (NUUC, PO Box 9236, Spring, Texas, 77387.) If you are attending in person, cash and check payments can be made at the event. Or you can arrange to make payment by emailing office@northwoodsuu.org.
What’s different about the silent auction this year?
The silent auction will begin early – when the catalog is released.
What are the previews?
The church will be open Friday evening the night before the auction from 6-8 pm and Saturday morning from 9-11 am. Zoom attendees (and everyone else!) can walk through to see items they’ll be bidding on up close. During the preview you can check out the decorations and take a picture in #SmileNorthwoods the photo frame.
What is the “Buy IT Now” option?
This year our SILENT AUCTION items will be open for bidding as soon as our catalog is sent out! When you receive the catalog in your inbox, the bidding will begin! If you have your heart set on an item that you just don’t want to lose, you can choose to BUY IT NOW! Buy it now prices are discounted at least 20% off the fair market value! Bidding for silent auction items will happen on Auctria – if you don’t have an account with Auctria yet, sign up now!
GENERAL SERVICE AUCTION QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS THE SERVICE AUCTION?
The Service Auction is the largest fund-raising event for Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church. But just as importantly, it is a FUN-raiser. The events sold at the auction form the social hub of Northwoods.
WHO IS INVITED TO THE SERVICE AUCTION?
Everyone is invited — there is NO CHARGE for attending.
WHO DONATES THE ITEMS IN THE SERVICE AUCTION?
Items and services are donated by church members and friends, as well as local retailers
WHAT ITEMS ARE SOLD IN THE SERVICE AUCTION?
The items sold generally fall into 3 categories, and the emphasis is on SERVICE.
- SIGN-UPS – Signups are events hosted by Northwoods folks, sold at a set price per attendee. These events may be parties, classes, contests, or services.
- LIVE AUCTION – Highly coveted items or services are sold to the highest bidder at a live auction. Items may range from use of a vacation home to window washing to custom song writing.
- BASKETS – Donated goods or services may be sold by silent auction or live auction at the discretion of the Service Auction Committee.
WHAT IF I DON’T PLAN TO BUY ANYTHING AT THE SERVICE AUCTION?
You are encouraged to attend even if you don’t plan on buying anything. This event will be filled with fun, friends, and entertaining hosts! Don’t miss out.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR SERVICE AUCTION?
The 2022 Service Auction is the evening of SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5th. This is planned as a hybrid event. People can either attend in person or join on Zoom. A detailed schedule will appear in the catalog to be released the week before the event.
DO I NEED A TICKET TO ATTEND THE SERVICE AUCTION?
You do not need a ticket but you DO need to RSVP for in person attendance. There are 70 seats available, and seats can be reserved on a first come, first served basis. Seats are assigned. Your table leader will contact you about what food you can bring to share with your table. (RSVP IS CLOSED – capacity has been met!)
HOW DOES THE HYBRID THING WORK?
You can join on Zoom from home, from a watch party, or from far across the country! No matter where you are, bidding for baskets and sign up purchases are made on Auctria. There will be a Zoom spotter to act as the in-person bidder for people bidding in the live auction from Zoom. Zoom attendees will bid in the live auction through the Zoom chat.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR BIDDING?
We will use Auctria, an online auction site which has been used and approved by other UU churches. Everyone will need to register through this site in order to bid.
HOW CAN I SEE WHAT’S IN THOSE BASKETS?
This year we’re having two previews so you can check out the merchandise before you bid. In addition, those not attending in person will have a chance to take pictures in the #SmileNorthwoods photo frame and see the fabulous decorations. Previews will be held: 6-8 pm on Friday, November 4 and 9-11 Saturday, November 5.
WHAT SHALL I WEAR TO THE SERVICE AUCTION?
Some people choose to dress in a costume matching the theme. Some just dress casually. We encourage participants to get into the mood of the Service Auction and dress up, especially those attending at the church.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE SERVICE AUCTION EVENT?
A sense of fun. This is the most fun you will have giving!
Bring a dish to share to share with your table. Your table leader will contact you to coordinate dishes. Water, ice and tea will be supplied at the church.
A SMILE – Be sure to take a photo in our #SmileNorthwoods frame!
WHAT IF I CAN’T ATTEND BUT WANT TO BUY SOMETHING?
You can bid from anywhere in the world on the Auctria website or app! You don’t have to attend the event to bid. Note that bidding on silent auction items will begin early this year but will continue during the auction itself. Often sign-ups are still available for purchase after the event.
WHEN DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE THINGS I BUY?
Payment is due at the close of the Service Auction. You can follow the instructions on the auction website to pay. Payments can still be made by cash or check. Checks can be mailed to our PO box (NUUC, PO Box 9236, Spring, Texas, 77387.) If you are attending in person, cash and check payments can be made at the event. Or you can arrange to make payment by emailing office@northwoodsuu.org.
WHAT ARE “SIGN-UPS”?
Sign-ups are events – parties, classes, services – hosted by Northwoods members/friends or Northwoods groups at their expense. These are generally sold at a fixed price per attendee. Northwoods receives all of the proceeds from the sales. For example: Bill’s hobby is geocaching so he offers a 3 hour class on geocaching for 10 people. Bill organizes the event and buys any snacks etc. Ten people sign up for Bill’s class @ $10 each. Northwoods makes $100, and Bill pays for the snacks and event costs, if any. Anyone may host an event with virtually any theme. Past offerings have included wine tastings, nature walks, murder mystery dinners, scrabble tournaments, cooking classes, art tours and beer making — just to name a few. Events may be intended for adults, families, or children. NOTE: Events sold as signups are not considered Northwoods events, but private parties of the host. Hosts will make every effort to hold the event as described, however, life changes, and occasionally our plans do as well. Neither Northwoods nor the host is responsible for refunding your contribution to Northwoods.
ARE ALL SIGN-UPS IN-PERSON EVENTS?
NO! Each host will provide in their Events_Parties Contract the ways that they are keeping their offerings pandemic friendly, whether it’s a smaller event, outdoor event, semi-virtual or completely virtual event. Each host is also being required to list how they will fulfill their contracts even if gathering restrictions get stricter again. All of this information will be included in the catalog so that you know which events you are comfortable attending. Please DO NOT sign up for an event for which you are not comfortable with the parameters laid out by the hosts.
HOW DO I GET A COPY OF MY FINAL ORDERS?
You can also log into your Auctria account at any time to see what has been purchased and paid for. You will also get an receipt of payment via email that will include all of your purchases. After the auction (within 2-4 weeks), you will receive an email confirming what you purchased and paid for. Any discrepancies will be noted, and instructions for handling them will be given. This confirmation email will include the dates and contact information for services and events you purchased. The email will be your final receipt.
HOW DO I MAKE A DONATION?
Donations of goods or services may be made by filling out a Services_Items Contract. You can contact the office to arrange for item drop off (office@northwoodsuu.org). Please use a separate contract for each donation. If you would like to donate an event, service, or party for sign up, use the Parties_Events Contract. We use the word “contract” to emphasize that you are making a commitment to perform a specific service; please remember that it is your responsibility to do so. It is your responsibility as a donor to see that the contract is fulfilled. Please complete the contract blanks fully. Be creative with your descriptions – you are selling your service or event.
WHAT SHOULD I DONATE?
The Service Auction Committee is glad to help with ideas. They will be at a table outside the building before and after church throughout October. You can see what kinds of things have been offered by checking out the 2021 Catalog. But don’t delay. All donations must be in by October 23. This will enable us to get the catalog out a week before the auction.
IS MY DONATION TOO SMALL?
Tell us about it and we can do something with it. A batch of cookies, a bottle of wine, a $10 gift card or one hour of child care — can be combined with other donations to make great gift baskets. Also, remember this is a SERVICE auction. We really want your time. Can you sit for pets, wash cars, pull weeds, fix computers, wrap packages, decorate cupcakes, paint, deliver dinner? You have something to donate! Do it!
HOW WILL I KNOW WHO SIGNED UP FOR MY PARTY OR BOUGHT MY SERVICE?
You can log into Auctria at any time to see what you signed up for. Within 2-4 weeks after the auction, you will receive an email providing you with the contact information for all buyers. Please retain this information. If you do not receive your email, please contact the office@northwoodsuu.org for another copy.
WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO SET A DATE FOR MY EVENT?
Experience! If you choose not to set a date two things happen. First, people are more reluctant to sign up for your event. Second, finding a date when all of the people (or even most) who signed up are available becomes difficult. Setting a date up front eliminates a lot of frustration.
CAN I HAVE MY EVENT ON THE SAME DAY AS ANOTHER EVENT?
There is no rule against it. With many events to schedule and an already busy church calendar, there will be conflicts. HOWEVER, please take into consideration the type and size of event you are hosting in comparison to potential conflicts.
I AM WILLING TO HOST AN EVENT BUT I DON’T HAVE ROOM AT MY HOME. WHAT CAN I DO?
Some Northwoods facilities are available. However, you would need to reserve space by emailing office@northwoodsuu.org. Please reach out so that we can help you find a way to host your event virtually or help you find some resources for free or low cost event rentals. You might also consider using outdoor venues, such as local parks. Many have covered pavilions that can be reserved. Consider finding a co-host. Consider a smaller event (they count too!) — perhaps dinner for 4, or a class for 2.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I SIGN UP AND CAN’T ATTEND A SIGN-UP EVENT?
If you are unable to attend an event you may offer (or sell) your place to another person. However, please inform the host if you do so.
HOW WILL I GET MY BASKETS AND PHYSICAL ITEMS THAT I WIN OR BUY AT SERVICE AUCTION?
If you come to the basket preview and chose to buy a basket at the Buy-it-Now price, you can take your basket home immediately. If you win an item the night of the event, you can take it home that night. If you don’t take your items home, a member of the Service Auction Committee will email you to arrange pick-up (from the church).
DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS?
Always. We have jobs — big and small. Just contact us at office@northwoodsuu.org.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED HERE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You can email members of the Service Auction Committee at office@northwoodsuu.org or visit the sign up table at church.