[AOUStudents] Silent Auction

[Melanie Colon]

The American Ornithologists’ Union will be holding its first ever silent auction at the next meeting in Laramie, Wyoming (August 8-11, 2007).  This event is intended to raise funds for Student Affairs Committee (SAC) events at future meetings.  For the past 2 years, the SAC has organized student events such as workshops, mentor programs, student-professional lunches, and a quiz bowl in order to increase student involvement and participation at the meetings.  We hope to continue to provide activities at the annual meetings that are relevant and of interest to students, and we are hoping to fund these events via the silent auction.

We are currently requesting donations for the auction, so look around your offices and attics (and those of your friends) for items that would appeal to our members, such as items with biology and ornithology themes.  Other items will also be accepted.  This is the perfect venue for those items that are so useful that you cannot throw them away, yet have not used yourself in a while.  Also, we know that in addition to all your scientific and technical skills, many of you (and your loved ones) have creative talents as well.  This is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your talent by donating to a good cause one (or two!) of those wildlife photographs, collectibles, specialty items, or crafts and artworks that you are so proud of.  Below is a list of the sorts of items we are looking for:

Books and field guides - New and used (good condition) 
Vintage, hard-to-get, out of print, or autographed books are especially welcome
Art and photography (paintings, sculpture, tapestries, etc...)
Teaching/training materials
Memorabilia from past meetings
Services - Consulting (statistics, lab, methods, etc...)
Jewelry
Calendars
Decorations
Greeting cards
Posters
T-shirts
Binoculars
Field equipment
Software - Statistics, data collection, etc...
Videos/DVD's
Items from field sites and zoo gift shops

If anyone has suitable items they would like to donate, they are asked to contact the auction organizers:  Melanie Colon (colonm at u.washington.edu) or Vicki Garcia (vga at email.arizona.edu).

Items will be on display until noon August 11 at which time the highest bidder wins the item.  Cash and credit cards will be accepted.  So whether you donate or not, be sure to stop by the auction and see if anything catches your eye!