Step Two: Choose your venue and date

Select a space that suits the size of your gathering. You may wish to combine your auction with a shared meal, but simple refreshments work wonderfully too. Make sure you have a team of helpers for setting up tables and chairs and for serving food and drinks.

Step Three: Spread the word

Let your community know what’s happening!
Use the provided posters on local noticeboards and promote the auction in church newsletters, emails and via social media. Encourage people to consider what skills or time they or their friends and neighbours can bless others with. For example, ask a green-fingered friend if they might donate two hours of gardening expertise.

Step Four: Gather ‘promises’ before the big day

Collect the promises that will be auctioned
and assign each one a starting price.
Because you’re auctioning time and skills, you might print a picture that represents each promise. For example, a photo of someone putting up shelves with a starting price of £30. Include the name and contact number of the donor so the winning bidder can follow up after the event.

Nominate:

• An auctioneer to host the event
• A cashier to receive payments on the day
• Ask attendees to bring cash or a cheque book for their successful bids