Proposal - 1st Annual Domain Name Holiday Charity Auction -
Auctioning of a .mobi name with all proceeds going to charity.
I got to wondering today while I was writing out a check to a charity that I have supported for many years .... wondering about the possibility of a member-sponsored charitable event here at Name Pros. In the spirit of the Christmas holiday I would like to propose the start of an annual domain name auction with all the proceeds going to one or more charities.
While we all count our blessings for the past year (including the good names we have been able to register for example in the dot mobi landrush) let us take the time to give something back and maybe in some small way help to those less fortunate than ourselves.
It is a little late in the season but with some help from the Name Pros staff to oversee and verify the auction, I think that we can still pull this off this year. If this type of idea or something similar has been tried in the past, please explain how it worked out.
Here is my proposal:
1. A forum member donates a domain name to be offered in the charity auction. (I have tentatively picked out a name - see below.)
2. The name donator selects the charity (or charities) that will receive the auction proceeds.
3. A starting bid and bidding increments are determined by the name donor.
4. The ending time is set for at least one week after the starting bid. (specify date, time, time zone)
5. A reserve price is optional.
6. The auction may be extended if the reserve has not been met, with the length of extension to be determined by name donor with advisement by Name Pros staff.
7. The name is placed on auction at Name Pros (sticky thread recommended). Only NP members can bid, but outsiders can become members and then place bids.
8. Members place open auction bids as usual, posting their bid in the auction thread.
9. Bidders are also encouraged (but are not obligated) to donate a small amount to the charity whether or not they win the name. Bidders can post their side donation as they post their bids. Side donation in increments of $5 or $10 is suggested and of course larger donations would be very welcome.
**This is where we could really use some organizational help from the NP staff.**
10. IF approved, side donations will be paid by Paypal or via $NP to NP who will tally the total after the auction closes. The side donations and payment for the name is made.
11.A. The auction winner makes their payment by check sent to NP, with the check being made out to the charity's name. (This structure would allow the successful bidder to take a tax deduction which may hopefully increase the bidding levels.)
12. Name Pros sends all proceeds from the auction plus the total of side donations to the pre-selected charity (or charities).
13. Name Pros verifies the transfer of the name from the name donor to the auction winner and posts it in the forum (to close the thread).
I would like to hear comments especially from the NP staff as I have suggested and asked for their help in running and overseeing this. Also, comments about tightening up the guidelines to insure a smooth running auction and guaranteed payment of funds and side donations
I would like to start this off by offering a .mobi name for auction:
Hint - an LLL.mobi name as tasty as a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwhich ... mmm ...
Judging by their popularity, an LLL.mobi would generate guaranteed bidding and hopefully many side pledges for this first auction.
If we get the OK, the auction could start as early as tomorrow (Dec 21, 2006) and end maybe on Wednesday Dec 27th or Thursday Dec 28th 2006 - at 11PM EST (suggested).
(I guess that there is no real rush but completing the auction would give the buyer the opportunity to decide whether or not to include this purchase in their 2006 tax year.)
The alternative to this that I just auction off the name and once I get paid, send a check to the charity. That would be easy enough, but I think that by using something similar to the suggested format outlined above, that the bidding may be more active, the side pledges would increase the total donation, and that we can as a group start a nice tradition.
Please tell me what you think. Thank you.
*** NOTE - BIDDING WILL NOT START UNTIL I GET THE OKAY ***
acc
Auctioning of a .mobi name with all proceeds going to charity.
I got to wondering today while I was writing out a check to a charity that I have supported for many years .... wondering about the possibility of a member-sponsored charitable event here at Name Pros. In the spirit of the Christmas holiday I would like to propose the start of an annual domain name auction with all the proceeds going to one or more charities.
While we all count our blessings for the past year (including the good names we have been able to register for example in the dot mobi landrush) let us take the time to give something back and maybe in some small way help to those less fortunate than ourselves.
It is a little late in the season but with some help from the Name Pros staff to oversee and verify the auction, I think that we can still pull this off this year. If this type of idea or something similar has been tried in the past, please explain how it worked out.
Here is my proposal:
1. A forum member donates a domain name to be offered in the charity auction. (I have tentatively picked out a name - see below.)
2. The name donator selects the charity (or charities) that will receive the auction proceeds.
3. A starting bid and bidding increments are determined by the name donor.
4. The ending time is set for at least one week after the starting bid. (specify date, time, time zone)
5. A reserve price is optional.
6. The auction may be extended if the reserve has not been met, with the length of extension to be determined by name donor with advisement by Name Pros staff.
7. The name is placed on auction at Name Pros (sticky thread recommended). Only NP members can bid, but outsiders can become members and then place bids.
8. Members place open auction bids as usual, posting their bid in the auction thread.
9. Bidders are also encouraged (but are not obligated) to donate a small amount to the charity whether or not they win the name. Bidders can post their side donation as they post their bids. Side donation in increments of $5 or $10 is suggested and of course larger donations would be very welcome.
**This is where we could really use some organizational help from the NP staff.**
10. IF approved, side donations will be paid by Paypal or via $NP to NP who will tally the total after the auction closes. The side donations and payment for the name is made.
11.A. The auction winner makes their payment by check sent to NP, with the check being made out to the charity's name. (This structure would allow the successful bidder to take a tax deduction which may hopefully increase the bidding levels.)
12. Name Pros sends all proceeds from the auction plus the total of side donations to the pre-selected charity (or charities).
13. Name Pros verifies the transfer of the name from the name donor to the auction winner and posts it in the forum (to close the thread).
I would like to hear comments especially from the NP staff as I have suggested and asked for their help in running and overseeing this. Also, comments about tightening up the guidelines to insure a smooth running auction and guaranteed payment of funds and side donations
I would like to start this off by offering a .mobi name for auction:
Hint - an LLL.mobi name as tasty as a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwhich ... mmm ...
Judging by their popularity, an LLL.mobi would generate guaranteed bidding and hopefully many side pledges for this first auction.
If we get the OK, the auction could start as early as tomorrow (Dec 21, 2006) and end maybe on Wednesday Dec 27th or Thursday Dec 28th 2006 - at 11PM EST (suggested).
(I guess that there is no real rush but completing the auction would give the buyer the opportunity to decide whether or not to include this purchase in their 2006 tax year.)
The alternative to this that I just auction off the name and once I get paid, send a check to the charity. That would be easy enough, but I think that by using something similar to the suggested format outlined above, that the bidding may be more active, the side pledges would increase the total donation, and that we can as a group start a nice tradition.
Please tell me what you think. Thank you.
*** NOTE - BIDDING WILL NOT START UNTIL I GET THE OKAY ***
acc
