8. Send out invitations for your auction

If you are lucky enough to have a database of your members or guests from previous auctions then you can send out formal invitations. The design of your invitation can range from very simple to very elegant. Your should mail them approximately 90 days before your event to make sure your guests have not already made other plans for the evening. You should also develop a plan to send out reminders at periodic intervals to those who have not sent in their RSVP. Remember, RSVPs also tell you who has declined, which reduces the number of reminders you need to send. 

9. Know the laws regarding silent and live auctions and stay out of trouble

Fundraising events create tax consequences for the guest and the organization hosting the event. According to the IRS; "A donor cannot claim a tax deduction for any single contribution of $250 or more unless the donor obtains a contemporaneous, written acknowledgment of the contribution from the recipient organization." Also, "A donor may only take a contribution deduction to the extent that his/her contribution exceeds the fair market value of the goods or services the donor receives in return for the contribution; therefore, donors need to know the value of the goods or services.

10. Use checklists to make sure everything goes smoothly

• Room reservation checklist

• Room setup checklist

• Refreshments checklist

• Sound system checklist

• Check-in checklist

• Check-out checklist

• Raffle and door prize checklist

• Silent auction checklist

• Live auction checklist

• Auction cleanup checklist