Veritas School Newberg Oregon Classical Christian K-12 Education

The Annual Benefit Auction and Dinner is the largest single fund raiser undertaken by the Veritas parent community in support of our school. The event is held at the beautiful and well established Multnomah Athletic Club in downtown Portland . The evening celebration consists of a Raffle, an exciting Silent Auction followed by sumptuous dinner & dessert. Then, the explosive finale of the evening is the Live Auction where you’ll see some heart pounding action and some good-hearted competitive bidding! Not to be missed!!

This year’s auction is at the Multnomah Athletic Club, located at 1849 SW Salmon Street , Portland , OR 97205 . http://www.themac.com/docs/directions.pdf It is a beautiful facility and we are blessed to be able to hold our annual auction there.

The tuition you pay each year does not cover the cost of educating your child. In order to provide a quality education at an affordable price, we must do a fundraiser to cover the gap between tuition and actual school expenses. Our fundraising efforts also allow us to provide for teacher’s classroom needs, tuition scholarships and help offset tuition increases for the coming year.

There are a number of ways to raise funds for a school. The majority of methods involve door-to-door sales of cookies, wrapping paper, magazines, popcorn, etc. Additionally, there are bake sales or yard sales. These all make money, but not substantial funds. To bring in what we need to help cover the gap between tuition and actual expenses, we would need at least 10 door-to-door salesdrives, 30+ extremely profitable yard sales and over 300 bakes sales.

The auction is a highly focused, successful fundraising event. Our Veritas community and the community at large are beginning to become familiar with our school and our annual spring auction. Because we have narrowed our fundraising to a very selective and highly profitable means, we are not unrelenting in asking our communities to donate or spend money on items they may not really want or need.

The auction also provides a dynamic atmosphere in which we can develop and use our gifts for God’s glory. By using those gifts in a team environment, we have found that many friendships have been built and a real sense of community is developed. It is a very tangible way to serve your school community, with the benefit of getting to know other parents who have similar goals and beliefs to you. Working together toward a common goal, greater than ourselves, can be very inspiring!!

In the past we have raised approximately $50,000 to $65,000. This year we hope to raise between $75,000 and $100,000.

Raise Money. Clearly the funds to be made are considerable and are of great benefit to our school.
Use your gifst/talents . An opportunity for school parents to come together and use their gifts/talents to serve the Veritas community while providing our children with a more well-rounded education.
Public Relations. An event of this scope not only brings in a large amount of money, but allows the community to have a better understanding of our school.

The money raised at the auction goes directly to the school. There are several ways that auction funds are used.

Operational costs. It helps cover the gap between tuition dollars and the actual cost of running the school. As we all know, daily living keeps getting more expensive each year. It’s the same with operating a school. In order to keep our amazingly gifted teachers and keep the same quality standard from year to year, we must have a way to offset those costs.
Tuition Scholarships. It allows Veritas to offer tuition scholarships to families who have a strong desire to see their children classically educated and are in need of financial assistance.
Classroom needs. Teachers often desire new teaching aids to help them better educate our children. Whether it’s a new computer, world map or science equipment, the auction helps provide teachers with those items not available in our regular budget.
Offset tuition increases. The auction enables Veritas to keep the cost of tuition from dramatically increasing each year. It is our desire to continue to serve the very people who have a strong desire to be at Veritas by keeping our school affordable.

Parents!! There are usually one or two parents who head up the entire auction. They recruit other parent volunteers to come alongside and help, in order to make the event a success. The administration has chosen the 4 th and 5 th grade classes as the “Hosts” of the event. These two classes are asked to participate at a deeper level by organizing, leading and manning many of the auction committees.

These two classes cannot produce this event on their own. We would like to see 100% participation from all of the Veritas families in support of our fundraising efforts. Each year we ask that every family procure at least $400 worth of gifts, services or cash donations (see our sponsorship information) to help make the auction a success.

In addition to procurement, we would greatly appreciate every family participating on some level with one of the auction committees. We live in a very fast moving world and recognize that every family is busy. We have tried to respect your time constraints by offering different levels of commitment in the various committees. You can find a list of job descriptions on this FAQ page or “click” on Job Descriptions. There is great wisdom found in the old adage: Many Hands make light work. Besides, you may be surprised at how much fun you have with your committee once you get working together!!

We would like to see 100% participation from all of the Veritas families in support of our fundraising efforts. Each year we ask that every familyprocure at least $400 worth of gifts, services or cash donations (see our sponsorship information) to help make the auction a success.

In addition to procurement, we would greatly appreciate every family participating on some level with one of the auction committees. We live in a very fast moving world and recognize that every family is busy. We have tried to respect your time constraints by offering different levels of commitment in the various committees. You can find a list of job descriptions at the end of this FAQ or “click” on Job Descriptions. There is great wisdom found in the old adage: Many Hands make light work. Besides, you may be surprised at how much fun you have with your committee once you get working together!!

Finally, we would like to see most of our families attend, bring guests (if possible) and bid at the auction. The more people we have bidding on items, the more successful we will be at raising money for our school. We hope that everyone will come with a heart of generosity; each giving according to their ability and having loads of fun in the process!

All contributions are most welcome and even the smallest job is of great importance in making the auction a success.

Many items are needed for the auction. When thinking about procuring items, think of things that YOU would like to buy at auction. They are probably the same things that other families would like to bid on too. Of course, donated items and gift certificates from businesses are very important, but that is only the beginning!

Do you have any antiques, fine art or collectables that you can donate?
Do you have Airline vouchers or mileage that you could donate? These are very valuable and bring a lot at auction.
Perhaps you have a beach house or mountain cabin that you could donate for a week? Or maybe you have a relative who would be willing to offer theirs!
Can you perform a service- cook a gourmet meal, sew pillows, re-upholster a chair, paint a room or teach a skill (like computer software, sewing, card making or photography).
Can you build or make something? Furniture, clothing, quilting, child’s doll house or book case
For more ideas, click here. ( Northwest auction info from Kickoff Packet)

Become a Corporate or Family Sponsor

Sponsors receive a variety of benefits and recognition, as well as the thanks of the entire Veritas community. These sponsorships help underwrite the cost of the auction by making the auction dinner tickets affordable for everyone. Sponsorship options begin at $500 for a Bronze sponsorship and have an upward amount limited only by your generosity! (Really, “the sky’s the limit”!!)

Purchase Advertising in our auction Catalog

Advertising in the catalog can be great exposure for your business. Our families are very loyal to businesses that support our school and make a concerted effort to frequent those businesses that contribute generously to Veritas. Individuals can also purchase ads to show their support for our school or appreciation for their child’s teacher. Ads start at $99 and go up to $499.

Donate your time and skills

Many hands are needed to make the auction a success! We need a representative from almost every family in the school to help in some way. We have jobs large and small- every bit of input makes a difference!! Find out how you can help. Contact the Auction Chair- Debbie Stoppa at veritasauction08@yahoo.com or any of the following committee coordinators.

Each job supports a particular team. Each team has a Team Leader or Coordinator. It is the Coordinator’s responsibility to contact you and make sure you know what to do. If you have questions or don’t get contacted, please help keep the system running smoothly by contacting your Coordinator by phone or e-mail.

Organize a softball game with a picnic and auction off a chance to play.
Teach a group of parents how to make great Italian dishes.
Why not offer to make 2 dozen tamales?
Offer a Dessert-a-Month for the year.
Make teacher appreciation gifts, purchased by parents as a Buy-In.
Tutor a child in math?
8 th-12 th graders can donate babysitting services
Teachers can create a buy-in where they take students to the Zoo, IMAX or Omsi.

Imagine what you’d like to buy at the Auction: restaurant certificates, movie passes, jewelry, classes for kids and parents are all hot sellers. Attendees really like wine, sporting events, and vacation getaways like hotel stays, bike rides in the wine country or trips to exotic locations! Does someone you know have a vacation home they would donate for a weekend? Perhaps you have a Time Share or Condo that you can offer to the Veritas community.

On this Web site, you can download Donor Forms. There is also a sample letter to businesses. Mail or drop these off at businesses where you do a lot of purchasing. Usually, owners are glad to support your kids. The more personal you can make the request, the better. And, don’t forget to follow-up with a visit or phone call to businesses that you have contacted. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive!

The administration has set a $400 procurement goal for each family at Veritas. They ask that you provide cash or goods/services in that amount. This amount was set so that we could all work together to achieve a successful outcome for the annual auction, our largest school fundraiser. Our goal for this year is to raise at least $75,000 to cover the gap between tuition and actual expenses, financial aid and teacher's classroom needs.

As often happens in volunteer situations, 10% of the people carry the burden and 90% receive the benefits. We did not think it fair for the few to carry the weight of the many where the auction was concerned. So, as was decided several years ago, the most equitable way to distribute the load was to ask everyone to participate in the procuring of items, as well as the work.

The first reason is selfless and for the benefit of the Veritas community as a whole. We know there have been some concerns about the cost of auction tickets. The money brought in from advertising and sponsorship will enable us to offer early tickets at a reduced price, allowing more Veritas families to be included in this exciting, once-a-year event. (All we need is $2000-$3000 to make our dream a reality.) In addition, we are hoping to drastically reduce the price for "guest" tickets, as a means of bringing more visitors to the auction. It is our hope that, not only will the auction benefit from outside community participation, but that it will also increase awareness regarding our capital campaign.

As a sponsor, you will gain significant publicity for your business (much more than most auctions offer). The amount of exposure varies depending on the level of giving that you choose.

Sponsorship levels begin at $500 (most of your giving will be tax deductible). All levels include complimentary auction tickets and advertising in our auction catalogs (both online and at the event). When you become an Auction Sponsor, you fulfill your procurement obligation. Link to Sponsorship page & Advertising Page

Our donation/procurement deadline has been extended to February 1, 2008 . But, we need you to turn in your items as soon as possible so that we can get them into the online catalog and families can be thinking about what they want to bring home on auction night!

Should I go out and buy $400 worth of Items, if I don’t get anyone to donate?

NO! Don’t spend your money on full priced items. Instead, consider a cash donation to fulfill your procurement requirement. Often, auction items don’t sell for full price, so it is more beneficial for the school if you just write a check. Everything you give goes toward the school. Bring your check into the Veritas office with Auction 08 on the memo line.

Can I just leave an item in the Office without filling out a procurement form?

No, please don’t. There are donation forms on this web site and in the office. We really need you to fill it out so we know the following information:

Sure! We need people to make calls, pick up items, make copies, do data entry…there are literally hundreds of tasks that can only be done if everyone in the community pulls together. Call or e-mail the Auction Chair, Debbie Stoppa at veritasauction08@yahoo.com.

As you enter the MAC, you will see a sign for the Veritas auction. Go to the check-in table and receive your auction packet which includes a bidder #, catalog and program for the night. You will then be free to browse the many wonderful items to be auctioned off.

Start with the Silent Auction items. There will be 4 silent sections. Starting at 6:30 , each Silent section will begin closing out approximately 10 min apart. You will also be able to view the Live auction items displayed on tables. After all of the Silent auction sections have closed, our guest will be asked to move to the dinner tables and a delicious dinner will be served.

After dinner, a spirited Live auction will take place. Hold onto your hats because this is where the real fun begins! There is always lively, good hearted, competitive bidding. You won’t want to miss the highlight of your child’s class project!

At the end of the Live auction, everyone will proceed to Check-out and pay for their purchases. You may pay with Visa, MasterCard or the preferred method- with a check.

Items that have been donated to the auction are set out on tables for you to look at and bid on during the silent auction time. There are 4 separate sections for the silent auction; each has a different time for closing. You may bid only on the items for as long as the section is open. On the night of the auction, an announcement will be made just before a section closes. During this final countdown, you will often find a bidding frenzy. (This is when friendships are tested!!) Once the section is closed you can no longer bid on the items.

All items in the silent auction have bid sheets nearby. The bidder must write in his/her bidder number next to the amount that denotes the bid desired. A bid constitutes a binding agreement to buy the specified item. All bids must start no less than the minimum amount indicated on the bid sheet and go higher along the increments stated on the bid sheet. To ensure that you will win a particular item, you may go to the end of the bid sheet and write your bidder number in the “Guaranteed Purchase” amount. This will secure the item for you and no one else can bid on the item. Bidding must stop when the section is declared closed! At the close of each silent auction category section, an auction official will remove the bid sheet and the winning bidder will be billed at the end of the evening while going through Check-out.

Bid numbers will be assigned to those attending the event. You will receive a bid number in your welcome package when you check-in. Use your bidder number to indicate how much you are willing to pay for an item by writing in your number at the appropriate place on the bidder sheet next to the item of interest. Please bid carefully. Once a bid number is placed on the bid sheet no eraser or crossing out is permitted.

When the five-minute warning for a section closing is announced, make sure you have the highest bid listed on the bid sheet. Your bid has to be the highest bid when the section is closed out. The auction official shall have the sole and final discretion to determine the winning bidder. To see if you are the winner, check the pink copy on the table at the end of that section closing. Please do not remove items from the tables. Items will be given to you at check-out.

To ensure that you get to take a particular item home, enter your bid number in the “Guaranteed Purchase” box. You are then guaranteed that item. Do not remove any items until you have paid for them at the Check-out desk.

Plan ahead! Read the on-line catalog carefully before the auction at veritasschool.maestroweb.com (no www.) Decide what you want to bid on in advance of the event.

Syndicate! Invite a group of friends to join you in buying a party or vacation home together. Forming a consortium gives you greater buying power and makes the auction more fun.

No, there is a starting bid listed on the sheet. After that, you must go up by the pre-determined dollar increment. For example: Macaroni Grill Restaurant $50 Gift Certificate, bidding starts at $25. Increments are $5. So if there is a bid of $30 you must be willing to bid $35 to “go over” the last bidder.

The silent auction opens at 5:30 p.m. You will see signs posted on the tables and in your catalog, on the night of the auction, listing when each section closes. There are four sections: Section 1, 2, 3, and Premier (which is usually the last to close- during dinner). You should try to be there when the section closes to make sure you have the high bid, if you really want the item.

After dinner, we will have a 5 minute slide show, then the Auctioneer will be introduced and begin auctioning off items. These are usually higher value items, and class projects. This is a traditional auction, with a real auctioneer taking bids. If you want to bid on an item in the Live Auction, all you have to do is hold up your hand or bidder number and make sure the auctioneer notices you!

What if I do not win the items I bid on, but I still want to help the school on auction night?

About half way through the Live/Oral auction, the auctioneer will stop the regular bidding and begin taking bids for teacher’s needs and financial aid. He usually starts at $5000 and asks for people to raise their bidder number if they are interested in donating at that amount. He will move down incrementally until he reaches $25. We do this so that everyone has a chance to participate at whatever level they are comfortable with. It is our hope that each person will feel free to give generously according to their ability. Any gift given is pleasing to God, just as the widow’s mite was considered valuable because it was given from a pure heart. The auction is all for God’s glory!

Tickets will be $42, but if you purchase them in advance (by February 1, 2008 ) they will be $37. Your guests’ tickets will be $25, so bring as many as you want!!

Invite Grandparents, relatives and friends who care about you, your children and education. Or extend an invitation to Alumni, parents who are considering sending their children to Veritas and friends who would enjoy combining an elegant evening out, with the possibility of getting some great bargains.

If the auction is “old hat” to you, invite a newer Veritas family to join you at your table. It’s always more fun to sit with friends, both new and old! Make a date with another Veritas family and share the excitement together.

You can purchase your tickets in the Veritas office, by check or online with PayPal at www.veritasschool.net (see further details below). The office will also have additional invitations, reservation forms and dinner menus available for you to send to your guests.

For the first time this year, you will be able to purchase your tickets online (through PayPal) at www.veritasschool.net/auction.html. For your convenience, we have provided a registration form where you can make your dinner selection and request seating for yourself and your guests. Please be sure to thoroughly complete the online form.

No, you will receive a receipt of purchase. Your name will be held at the door for check-in. If you order your tickets online, you will receive confirmation of your purchase.

It would be great if you did come! But, if you can’t, call a friend and ask them to place your bids for you.

This year we have an online auction catalog. Simply, go to veritasschool.maestroweb.com (No www.) and browse all the unbelievable items that will be available for purchase on the night of the auction!

No! There are always very affordable Silent Auction items and Buy-Ins. It will be a wonderful “date-night” for a good cause. You will get to enjoy a delicious dinner, the delightful company of the Veritas community and see some beautiful artwork done by the amazing student artists of Veritas! And…you can usually walk away with some great bargains! Some items start at less than $10. You can get a jump on some of your gift giving by shopping early for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and (late) Valentine shopping. (You men know who you are!!) You won’t want to miss out on the “everyday” items that will be available too, like: Dry Cleaning certificates, haircuts, Coffee, restaurant certificates and tuition to great summer sports camps.

If you can’t find what you are looking for in our online catalog, please e-mail your suggestion to us at veritasauction08@yahoo.com and we’ll add it to the wish list.

Have a skill or gift to offer…take a look at this list and see if there is a match and then offer your services as an auction item.

You can contact the Auction Chair, Debbie Stoppa at veritasauction08@yahoo.com or by phone as listed in the Veritas directory.

DISCLAIMER : Due to privacy issues this site contains little personal information about the Veritas community. Any images or personal information on this site has been provided with permission. If you need to contact a fellow Veritas family, please see your Veritas Directory.

All items are sold “as is.” All sales are final and no exchanges or refunds are possible. Veritas cannot guarantee any of the purchases you make at the auction. Veritas reserves the right to withdraw any lot at any time before the actual sale and has the right to combine lots.

The buyer is responsible for being aware of exclusions, time limits, requirements, etc. stated on gift certificates or vouchers. Unless otherwise specified, all auction items and services must be used by February 28, 2009 .

It is the buyer’s responsibility to make arrangements and/or reservations with the donor for all services, vacation trips, residences, hotels, etc. If you are buying a party, you must observe the limit specified regarding the maximum number of participants. For restaurant gift certificates, tax, gratuity and alcoholic beverages are not included unless so indicated. For hotels, reservations are on a space-available basis and are subject to blackout periods.

All values stated are estimated by the donor, where available, and are not warranted by Veritas for purposes of valuation or tax consequences. Auction purchases are deductible to the extent that the amount paid exceeds the fair market value at retail of the item(s) or service(s) received. Please consult your tax advisor for additional information.

Successful bidders for auction items are advised that activities, services, and products are not sponsored or supervised by Veritas. Veritas accepts no liability or responsibility for activities, services, or products purchased at the auction including but not limited to, failure of delivery, failure of performance, and/or claims for personal injury or property damage.

The Auction Committee apologizes for any omissions or typographical errors contained in the on-line catalog. We are grateful for the support and generosity of our volunteers and donors and regret any mistakes.

Please note that the on-line catalogue lists items, donors, sponsors, and volunteers known to the Auction Committee as of February 1, 2008 . Additional donors, items or errata may be listed in an addendum might be posted on-line a few days before the event. If not, we will make every effort to provide all addendums for the night of the auction.