Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.

The Doorknob……

Almost everything you need to know about the TDS Auction:  For those of you who have never attended the Triangle Day School Auction, I have gathered our frequently asked questions.

Why do we have an auction?

The auction is the primary fund raising event for the year, and it is critical to the success of Triangle Day School.  Last year, the evening raised over $94,000 – this translates to almost $400 per child;–money that went directly into the School’s operating budget–which, in turn, maintains our rich curriculum, extensive student services, and our qualified staff.  Each year continues to build upon itself, and this year, with your help, we would like to see the auction’s profits go even higher. 

When and where is the auction?

Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Washington Duke Inn (The hotel offers complementary valet parking)

What time does the Auction start?

The Silent Auction with cocktails and dinner stations will open at 6:00 P.M and the Live Auction with seated dessert begins at 9:15 P.M with dancing to follow.

How much is admission?

Tickets are $75.00 per person.  You may request specific individuals you wish to be seated with – tables’ seat 12.

 What is included with the admission fee?

Hors d’oeuvres, wine, dinner stations, coffee, dessert, a bidder number, and a really good time!

Can I bring my friends if they do not have children attending Triangle Day School?

YES! Bring all your friends. The auction is a social and fun event for all our guests. We also need buyers to make it a financial success. Tables seat 12 and there will be instructions on how to request individuals you wish to be seated with on the response form. We must warn you that you may meet some new friends if your table is not full.

What should I wear?

The theme of this year’s auction is Mad Hatter’s Ball!  Come as an Alice in Wonderland character, as an 1860’s lady or gentlemen; or simply yourself with a fancy hat.  (Flamingo’s are optional!)

How can I get an auction program?

Printed programs containing details of all items in the auction plus our donor businesses will be distributed to families the week of the auction.   We will also be listing many of the auction items is on the Triangle Day School website. We will let you know when we have posted new items to get you excited, motivated, and anxious to bid the night of the auction.

How does the auction work?

There are two parts to the auction:

1.  The “Silent Auction”

On arrival you are given a Bidder number (Warning: do not lose your bidder number or let anyone else borrow it!). Displayed throughout the ballroom and gallery are various items for the “Silent Auction” that you may bid on by writing your Bidder Number and your name on the bid sheet next to that item. Each item has a minimum bid. If someone outbids you, you may continue to enter higher bids until the silent auction is declared closed. The last person signed on the sheet is the winner of that item.

2. The “Live Auction”

Following the “Silent Auction”, we will move to the ballroom for seated dessert and then the “Live Auction” of selected special items. The items are displayed in the dining room and are available for preview from the moment you arrive.  At the start of The “Live Auction” you may bid on any item by raising your hand/bidder number. The order of flow is listed in the auction program. We have a “professional auctioneer” who starts the bidding and the fun going between bidders.

How do I pay for all the goods & services I purchase?

That night you don’t - during the live auction you will receive an invoice listing the items you have “won.”  All items from both the “Silent Auction” and the “Live Auction” will be available for pick up the end of the auction or slightly prior to the end of the auction.   Bring your bidder number and form to the check out table.   You will be billed for your purchases, with payment due within 2 weeks.  We take cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard.

How do you acquire items for the Auction?

We ask that each family to donate one unique, unused item or gift certificate, per child, to the auction.  

Think of who you know. Do they have any connections that could get us items for the auction? It doesn't have to be a complete package; we can mix show tickets, with a limo ride, and a hotel stay.  Every little bit helps, but it needs to be quality items with perceived value that sell best.

Things that have sold well in the past, garnering high bids have been: tickets to sporting events, such as, football, baseball, basketball and hockey; sports or entertainment memorabilia, especially signed items; show tickets (American Dance Festival, Durham Performing Arts Center); a stay at someone's personal condo or vacation home; electronics (DVD players, stereos, MP3 players, etc); catering in one's home for a dinner party; works of art, jewelry, etc. The list goes on.  Also, other items that sell well and can be bundled with other like items are: movie tickets; beautiful & unique handmade items; yard work, handy man, house cleaning, massage, sports lessons (golf, tennis, ski, and baseball/basketball clinics), etc.

I would like to donate tickets to a sporting event/show but the date is before the auction – what do I do?

If you have access to tickets to a sporting event – basketball, hockey,

Football, NASCAR or a show Carolina Ballet, Symphony, American Dance Festival, etc we can sell them prior to the auction thru various online auction sites. 

When do you need to know about items that can be auctioned?

As soon as possible! If you can guarantee delivery, we want to post it right away on the TDS website.  We absolutely need all items in by the first week of February.   Please complete the YELLOW donation form(s) and the form and the item(s) in the admissions office.

I'm a new parent, and I still have no clue as to what the auction is all about.

No Problem. Don't worry.  All of us were new families at Triangle Day School at one time. Come to the Auction on February 19^th, have fun and see what happens. Once you've experienced the auction, you'll be on board and probably chairing a committee next year. As well as being a fundraiser, this is a fun, social evening. You do not have to be an expert on the auction to be an important part of making it a success. By just attending you greatly contribute. Please note that this is an adult-only function.

Do you need volunteers for the auction?

Yes. As a matter of fact, several workers are needed to make the night a success. If you’d like to volunteer, we have an array of committees encompassing everything from the class projects to set-up and breakdown.  Some jobs can be done from home with a phone and a computer, while others involve a significant time commitment.  Each job provides a wonderful opportunity to become more integrated with the TDS community through meeting and working with other parents, all towards our common goal of providing exceptional education for our children.